From the Austin Business Journal
http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin...9/daily29.html
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:42 PM CDT
Planned unit development ordinance to be reconsidered
Austin Business Journal
The Austin City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on changes to the Planned Unit Development ordinance on June 5.
The changes would add extra hurdles for developers wanting to build projects under planned unit development zoning, meant for large-scale projects with the most mixed uses under code.
PUD zoning will be a key factor in city planning for years to come because it applies to all public-transit-oriented developments and all projects along State Highway 130, say city leaders. The ordinance applies to complex developments on at least 10 acres and currently includes generous design flexibility for greater density and heights to encourage developers to turn in projects that are superior to those that would occur using conventional zoning.
The revised PUD ordinance will pose a bevy of new requirements.
The requirements are meant to elicit more public benefits, such as affordable housing and the inclusion of locally owned businesses, say city staff. The revised ordinance is less flexible with respect to density and heights, and proposes a residential and commercial bonus system for developers who have met certain requirements.
In addition, the revised ordinance proposes a new subcommittee that will initially review PUD applications. The subcommittee would comprise three rotating members chosen by the mayor and be charged with determining whether a proposed project merits further consideration by the Zoning and Platting Commission and City Council.
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