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Bryan Hughes, a Republican Texas Senator for District 1, files a bill that can curb Austin’s Compatibility Laws.
The City of Austin’s Compatibility Laws seems on the verge of being scrubbed. A Republican lawmaker from Texas, Bryan Hughes, filed a bill that might have a huge impact on the laws, which are seen as among the most restrictive rules in Texas. The bill would cut the radius allowed to just 50 feet.
What is Austin Compatibility Laws?
Compatibility rules of Austin restrict building highrise buildings near single-family homes. This has led to several city areas being undevelopable for other uses, creating chaos amidst the recent affordability crisis in Texas’ capital.
According to Council Member Chito Vela of District 4, the compatibility rules are “a force field” around some housing areas. He says the laws cover a huge area which is a reason to be concerned. Although he believes there should not be any change at the state level, the Austin City Council seems to think otherwise.
Last month, the city council approved the relaxation of some restrictions along travel corridors. The Council has previously opined that scrubbing the rules will allow the city to deal with the affordability crisis as developers will build more spaces.
“We have the strictest compatibility measure by far, and we need to bring ourselves in line with other major cities,” Vela said.
“I would also add that there’s still much work to be done in the land development code. I’ll be eating my popcorn,” then-Mayor Steve Adler said in his last city council meeting.
Despite the changes expected to be good for the city’s and the state’s residents, some community members are concerned that this move might “drive people and families out of existing neighborhoods.”
The bill will have to pass a strong legislative mold. However, the bill has a better chance of making out to a full vote of the houses, since it has Republican backing. Republicans are in the majority in both houses- 19 out of 31 in the State Senate and 86 out of 150 in the House of Representatives.
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