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Planning staff outlines land‑development code amendment calendar, flags density‑bonus and transit regulation changes
Summary
Austin Planning presented an updated Gantt chart and timeline for Land Development Code amendments, including a citywide density bonus program and amendments to regulate transit (Project Connect) scheduled for council consideration May 21, and a downtown density‑bonus update on May 28.
Stevie Greathouse of Austin Planning briefed the Housing and Planning Committee on April 14 about updates to the Land Development Code (LDC) amendments timeline and several near‑term items the department expects to bring to council.
Greathouse said staff adjusted the April 2026 Gantt chart to reflect recent code amendments and council direction, noting two near‑term items: a proposed citywide density bonus program scheduled for council consideration May 21 (with a May 5 work session briefing) and an ordinance amendment related to regulation of transit projects led by Project Connect that is also on the May 21 calendar. She also said staff will bring a first phase of downtown density‑bonus changes for a May 28 hearing.
Greathouse told the committee that several other amendments remain in the timeline as "to be determined" pending identification of appropriate review pathways; staff will update the schedule as those pathways are set. She said watershed protection staff will lead a separate code amendment on steep‑slope protections; Planning will provide scheduling and technical support to coordinate planning commission and council dockets.
Why it matters: The density‑bonus work and transit regulation amendments touch zoning and long‑term housing supply strategies the council has prioritized. Greathouse said community engagement is underway and pointed members to online materials for details.
Committee members asked for clarification about the Project Connect amendment and about which department leads slope‑protection work; Greathouse said the existing ordinance governing linear light‑rail regulation will be amended and that Watershed Protection leads the steep‑slope item while Planning provides support and coordination.
No formal action was taken on this briefing; staff said they anticipate returning with detailed proposals and hearings in May and later this spring and summer.
