I continue to believe that a new Land Development Code that reflects shared values and meets the challenges of a growing city is needed and achievable. The CodeNext process is over but the Council directed the City Manager to develop a new approach for this project. I look forward to his recommendations and a reboot of the process in the Spring. Working with my colleagues we developed a list of key goals to communicate our expectations for a successful rewrite of the Code. These goals cover many of the recommendations contained in our City’s recent plans, including housing supply and affordability, permitting, flooding, impacts of growth, transportation, and environment. I remain committed to these goals.

A successful Land Development Code rewrite will:

• Provide more housing choices and supply for Austinites at all stages of life and incomes
• Encourage the development and preservation of affordable housing
• Reduce time and cost of permitting by providing more clarity, certainty, and ease of use
• Better manage the costs of growth and provide more effective planning tools
• Preserve and respect neighborhood identity and quality of life
• Reduce wildfire and flood risk and manage runoff as a resource
• Support small, local businesses and the creative community
• Enable transportation choices, improve safety, and prepare for our mobility future
• Strengthen environmental protections, increase public open spaces, and conserve natural resources