Comprehensive Plan Joint CommitteeOct. 8, 2025

Item 4- Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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A RECOMMENDATION TO RESTRICT SOME COMMERCIAL USES ON IMAGINE AUSTIN CORRIDORS WHEREAS the Imagine Austin Plan included several stated livability objectives, including: ● Promote a compact and connected city, ● Development occurring in connected and pedestrian-friendly patterns supporting transit and urban lifestyles and reducing sprawl, while protecting and enhancing neighborhoods, ● Development occurring across the city in a manner friendly to families with children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, ● Austin's unique character and local businesses being recognized as a vital part of our community, ● Clear guidelines supporting both quality development and preservation that sustain and improve Austin's character and provide certainty for residents and the business community, ● Austin's diverse population being active and healthy, with access to locally-grown, nourishing foods, and affordable healthcare; and WHEREAS the “Imagine Austin Growth Concept Map” is one of the “Imagine Austin Decision Guidelines” incorporated into the Comprehensive Decision Making Matrix included in the Zoning Change Review Sheet provided by City of Austin Staff for review by the Zoning & Platting Commission; and WHEREAS the Imagine Austin Growth Concept Map includes Imagine Austin Activity Corridors, which are meant to facilitate a “long-term shift toward transit, walking and biking” and zoning policy along these corridors should enhance transit-supportive uses, encourage more intentional and equitable land stewardship with increased bicycle, pedestrian, and transit connectivity, housing options and opportunities, public realm activation, and new economic opportunities near public transit; THEREFORE, be it resolved that the following are PROHIBITED uses on properties located on an Imagine Austin Activity Corridor: COMMERCIAL USES: ● Agricultural Sale and Services ● Campground ● Carriage Stable ● Convenience Storage ● Electronic Testing ● Equipment Repair Services ● Equipment Sales ● Exterminating Services ● Recreational Equipment Maintenance & Storage ● Recreational Equipment Sales ● Research Testing Services ● Research Warehousing Services ● Scrap and Salvage ● Stables ● Vehicle Storage INDUSTRIAL USES: ● Basic Industry ● General Warehousing and Distribution ● Recycling Center ● Resource Extraction AGRICULTURAL USES: ● Animal Production? ● Crop Production? ● Indoor Crop Production? THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that drive-thru services are expressly prohibited for all commercial uses as described in this proposal. This prohibition applies to, but is not limited to, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, and any other commercial establishments utilizing drive-thru operations as part of their service model. All new businesses shall comply with this prohibition. Non-conforming uses established prior to the effective date of this resolution shall be subject to review for potential relocation, discontinuation, or modification in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. THEREFORE, be it further resolved that the following are CONDITIONAL uses on properties located on an Imagine Austin Activity Corridor: COMMERCIAL USES: ● Alternative Financial Services ● Automotive Sales ● Automotive Rentals ● Automotive Repair Services ● Automotive Washing ● Building Maintenance Services ● Electronic Prototype Assembly ● Pawn Shop Services ● Pedicab Storage and Dispatch ● Special Use Historic INDUSTRIAL USES: ● Custom Manufacturing ● Bail Bond Services ● Commercial Blood Plasma Center ● Commercial Off-Street Parking ● Communications Services ● Construction Sales and Services ● Electric Vehicle Charging ● Kennels ● Monument Retail Sales ● Off-Site Accessory Parking ● Light Manufacturing ● Limited Warehousing and Distribution AGRICULTURAL USES: ● Horticulture THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that city staff study the consequences of non- conforming uses as a resulting of limiting commercial uses in ETODs. ###