SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026, AT 6 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, please use the QR code or link at the end of this document. If you have questions regarding speaker registration, please contact Ella Garcia, Staff Liaison, at LandUseLiaison@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0821. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alice Woods, Chair (District 2) Casey Haney, Vice Chair (Mayor’s Representative) Felicity Maxwell, Secretary (District 5) Imad Ahmed, Parliamentarian (District 6) Anna Lan (Mayor’s Representative) Vacant (Mayor’s Representative) Chris Gannon (District 1) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (District 3) Brian Bedrosian (District 4) Adam Powell (District 7) Peter Breton (District 8) Danielle Skidmore (District 9) Joshua Hiller (District 10) Jessica Cohen, Chair of Board of Adjustment TC Broadnax, City Manager EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) Candace Hunter, A.I.S.D. Board of Trustees Richard Mendoza, Director of Transportation and Public Works The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, according to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on the agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071. Staff Liaison: Ella Garcia, 512-978-0821 Page 1 of 5 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first four speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on proposed amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to adopt a new citywide density bonus program that will replace Density Bonus 90 (DB90) and Vertical Mixed Use (V) combining districts and consist of five new combining districts that allow additional …
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026 The Planning Commission convened in a regular on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001, 301 W. Second Street, in Austin, Texas. Chair Woods called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alice Woods Felicity Maxwell Imad Ahmed Nadia Barrera-Ramirez Brian Bedrosian Chris Gannon Joshua Hiller Adam Powell Danielle Skidmore Anna Lan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Casey Haney Peter Breton Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Jessica Cohen Ex-Officio Members Absent: TC Broadnax Candace Hunter Richard Mendoza 1 Vacancy on the Dais 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The minutes from the meeting of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, were approved on the consent agenda on Parliamentarian Ahmed’s motion, Secretary Maxwell’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Plan Amendment: NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 2 Location: 4302, 4304 ½, & 4316 Nuckols Crossing Road, Williamson Creek Watershed; Southeast Combined (Franklin Park) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: Katherine Barnidge Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: LOC Consultants Civil Division (Sergio Lozano-Sanchez, P.E.) Single Family to Multifamily Residential land use Pending Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Austin Planning The motion to approve the Neighborhood’s postponement request to May 12, 2026, was approved on the consent agenda on Parliamentarian Ahmed’s motion, Secretary Maxwell’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. 3. Rezoning: Location: C14-2025-0065 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 2 4302, 4304 ½, & 4316 Nuckols Crossing Road, Williamson Creek Watershed; Southeast Combined (Franklin Park) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: Katherine Barnidge Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: LOC Consultants Civil Division (Sergio Lozano-Sanchez, P.E.) SF-2-CO-NP to MF-3-NP Pending Nancy Estrada, 512-974-7617, nancy.estrada@austintexas.gov Austin Planning The motion to approve the Neighborhood’s postponement request to May 12, 2026, was approved on the consent agenda on Parliamentarian Ahmed’s motion, Secretary Maxwell’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2026 4. Plan Amendment: NPA-2025-0030.01 - Ben White; District 5 Location: 2217 West Ben White Boulevard Service Road Eastbound, Williamson Creek Watershed; South Austin Combined (Westgate) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: RPS Family Enterprises, LP (Robert P. Stern) Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: …
Citywide Density Bonus Program Planning Commission Briefing | March 31, 2026 Agenda ▪ Housing Affordability in Austin ▪ Density Bonus Programs ▪ What We’ve Heard ▪ Citywide Density Bonus Program Proposal ▪ Other Potential Strategies for Affordable Housing ▪ Next Steps Source: City of Austin 2 Housing Affordability in Austin Austin's Affordability Challenges Because Austin has seen population growth over recent decades and housing production has not kept up with this growth, housing costs have increased, making it more difficult for residents to find affordable housing. Affordable housing is a priority in policy initiatives for the City, including the City's historic investment in Project Connect. Source: City of Austin 4 Project Connect Project Connect includes investment in new light rail, a second commuter rail, and new high-frequency, high- capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) lines. New transit investment is often tied to housing development nearby, but new units can be unaffordable to those who rely on transit most. Policy efforts can increase the proportion of affordable housing in project areas so that new transit can meaningfully serve all Austinites. Source: CapMetro 5 Austin's Affordable Housing Needs ▪ The 2017 Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint set a goal of creating 60,000 new affordable units over 10 years while preserving existing affordable housing. ▪ The Blueprint advocates for the use of various strategies and tools, including: o Public subsidies and grants o Public-private partnerships o Fee waivers o Tax incentives o Density bonuses 6 Austin's Affordable Housing Needs ▪ Affordability is measured using Median Family Income (MFI). Austin MFI Level Annual Income (4-person household) Monthly Rent Limit (2-bedroom) ▪ These figures help determine income limits for affordable housing programs, ensuring that rent levels or home sales prices are aligned with what families at various income levels can afford. 30% 50% 60% 80% $40,150 $903 $66,900 $1,506 $80,280 $1,807 $104,200 $2,345 100% $133,800 $3,010 120% $160,550 $3,612 Source: City of Austin, US Department of Housing and Urban Development 7 Austin's Affordable Housing Needs ▪ A recent housing gap analysis found that, generally: o Households at 80% MFI and above ($104,200 for a four-person household) are able to find rental housing that is affordable to them. o The greatest need is at and below 50% MFI ($66,900 for a four-person household). Austin MFI Level Annual Income (4-person household) Monthly Rent Limit (2- Bedroom) 30% 50% 60% 80% $40,150 $903 $66,900 $1,506 $80,280 $1,807 $104,200 $2,345 100% …
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 31, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026 The Planning Commission convened in a regular on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions, Room 1101, 301 W. Second Street, in Austin, Texas. Chair Woods called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alice Woods Felicity Maxwell Brian Bedrosian Chris Gannon Joshua Hiller Danielle Skidmore Casey Haney Peter Breton Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Nadia Barrera-Ramirez Anna Lan Imad Ahmed Adam Powell Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: None Ex-Officio Members Absent: Jessica Cohen TC Broadnax Candace Hunter Richard Mendoza 1 Vacancy on the Dais 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 31, 2026 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The minutes from the meeting of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, were approved on the consent agenda on Commissioner Breton’s motion, Commissioner Skidmore’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on proposed amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to adopt a new citywide density bonus program that will replace Density Bonus 90 (DB90) and Vertical Mixed Use (V) combining districts and consist of five new combining districts that allow additional height and land uses and relax site development standards and compatibility in exchange for providing affordable housing and meeting certain other requirements. Presentation by Warner Cook, Principal Planner, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Warner Cook, Principal Planner, Austin Planning. PERMANENT COMMITTEE UPDATES 3. Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee – Update pertaining to recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding proposed amendments to the Land Development Code for which review is required under Section 25-1- 502 (Amendment; Review); requests to initiate amendments to the Land Development Code under Section 25-1- 501 (Initiation). (Sponsored by Vice Chair Haney, Secretary Maxwell, and Commissioners Barrera-Ramirez and Gannon) Update was given by Vice Chair Haney. 4. Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee – Update regarding recommendations to the Planning Commission on issues relating to the comprehensive plan, including proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan; and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, including policy directives or initiatives of the city council or the Planning Commission. (Sponsored by Parliamentarian Ahmed and Commissioners Breton, Lan, and Powell) No update was given. 5. Joint Sustainability Committee – Update regarding recommendation …
