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As you know, the City unsuccessfully tried to change the code, what do you believe needs to be done differently to achieve a better code? Will you support working to revise the land development code to provide and allow for predictability and deep affordability? (Y/N; Explain)

Yes. It is deeply unfortunate that so much time, money and effort was spent before the current mayor finally pulled the plug on CodeNEXT, barely three months before the November election. On his watch, CodeNEXT ballooned from a $2 million two-year project to over $8.5 million, abandoning the goals and processes that had been directed by the previous Council. How long it will take to heal the divisions created by this poorly handled process is anyone’s guess. — With new leadership and vision, I believe it is possible to reset this failed experiment and work together toward sensible, effective code revisions that benefit all Austin residents. As mayor, I commit to achieving an improved code through an open, transparent, community-driven process. — I will strongly support code revisions to provide for predictability and affordability. However, I must note that experienced CodeNEXT consultants repeatedly stressed that there is no way for even the most radical code changes to achieve deep affordability under Austin’s current market conditions. No matter how much density we provide, the market will only supply more upper-end housing targeted to the recent influx of highly compensated individuals.