www.downtownaustin.org/october-shoa...

This alternative will produce more housing overall, and provide a larger and steadier funding stream for these community benefits, than would downzoning the CBD to restore the incentive to participate in the DDBP.

We thus reiterate our March 2024 proposal to replace the DDBP with a mechanism that (1) captures the extra property tax revenue resulting from having no FAR caps or height limits and (2) dedicates a portion of it to affordable housing and other community benefits.

The report confirmed that calibration is futile; housing production suffers dramatically no matter how lenient the affordability requirements (short of eliminating them entirely).

Indeed, a 2024 Terner Center and UCLA study of Los Angeles’ Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program found that removing the affordability requirements, and granting the "bonus" entitlements by right, would produce 38% more housing over a decade.

As we noted in a March 2024 letter, density bonus programs rely on exclusionary zoning to "work" and produce less housing relative to granting the same entitlements by right.

We recognize that the proposed CBD base height limit is an attempt to restore the incentive to participate in the Downtown Density Bonus Program, given that SB 840 removed the FAR limits on which the program depends.

To stay informed about similar events, please visit the Great Streets website. You can also reach out to Jill Amezcua at jill.amezcua@austintexas.gov or 512-978-1702 with any questions.

www.austintexas.gov/page/great-s...

The goal of the update is to create a modernized vision with the community for Downtown Austin’s public streetscapes & sidewalks. This event will mark the 1st phase of community engagement where attendees can learn about & provide feedback on the update.