AUSTIN, Texas - Elected leaders from across Austin say changes to development rules don't go far enough to curb rising home prices.
The leaders represent Districts 2 and 3 in Southeast Austin, District 4 in North Austin and District 6 in far Northwest Austin. They said sprawl will only get worse if things don't change.
"For decades, our land development code has favored the establishment and privileged in our community," District 2 Council Member Delia Garza said. "It has led to a very inequitable system of how we zone and what we allow to be built."
Those council members say development on the outskirts of town is a direct result of pushback from people living in so-called desirable neighborhoods. Proposed changes to those zoning laws don't make the problem any better, they said.
"We are going to continue to fight because that is what our constituents demand of us," District 6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan said.
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They want the next draft of CodeNEXT to have more options for families of lesser means to be able to afford homes places to live in the central city.
"It is up to us to do everything that is within our power, and then demand that other governmental entities and private actors step up to the plate," District 4 Council Member Greg Casar said.
A second draft of the new rules will be released September 15th. Austin's existing code is more than 30 years old.