Austin City Council adopts zoning change, 2045 comprehensive plan and funds resiliency, garage work

The Austin City Council voted on several planning and capital items at the meeting (date not specified in the transcript), approving land‑use and infrastructure measures that the council and staff said will support housing options and resiliency work.

Council adopted an ordinance amendment to City Code chapter 11 to explicitly allow twin homes (0-lot-line, two-unit townhomes) in single-family and multifamily residential zoning districts. Planning staff (Holly) told the council the change clarifies shared-wall situations, applies retroactively in the same districts and is intended to broaden attainable homeownership options; the council prepared and adopted the ordinance by roll call (all 'Aye').

The council also adopted the 2045 Comprehensive Plan by resolution after the planning commission recommendation and a work session; the resolution passed 6-0. Staff said the plan was prepared in collaboration with the county and community partners and is available on the project website and an interactive story map.

On capital and grant-funded actions, the council approved a WHKS contract to perform the Ellis Ditch Climate Resiliency Study, funded primarily by an MPCA grant (total grant $106,000; $96,581 grant dollars and roughly $9,658 from stormwater utility or in‑kind). The WHKS proposal before council was $96,600 and was authorized to proceed.

The council also approved contracting to plan and spec a replacement roof for the Central Garage (WHKS contract for $9,300) as part of the 5‑year CIP; staff said the project budget is set at $500,000. Council additionally authorized planning and zoning staff to contract for removal of junk or legally stored vehicles at 607 6th Street NW.

All listed motions were approved by voice vote or roll call as indicated in the meeting record. Council members praised staff and partners, and the mayor and members noted upcoming community events.