Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 000309-114, amending City Code Title 25 (Land Development), and amending Ordinance No. 20221115-048 to modify development review processes, methods to demonstrate water quality compliance, street design, and utility infrastructure design for the design and construction of certain transit system projects and related transit system infrastructure and which may include exemption from or waiver of fees or alternative funding methods. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.
De
Lead Department
Austin Project Connect.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
November 15, 2022 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20221115-048 which included Code modifications for transit system projects and created a central location for transit-specific regulations, expanded permitting options, clarified uses, and provided a programmatic approach to construction noise mitigation, with additional amendments to be brought as design progressed.
October 29, 2021 - Council approved Resolution No. 20211029-003 directing City Staff to review City Code, criteria manuals, and permitting processes to identify impediments to the design, construction, and implementation of Project Connect. The resolution also directed staff to develop new regulations and procedures to address impediments and present these Code amendments to City Council.
For More Information:
Donna Galati, Capital Program Consultant, 512-974-2733; Liane Conte, Interim Mobility Officer, 512-974-7922.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
April 15, 2026 - Reviewed by Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee.
April 15, 2026 - Approved with recommendations by the Environmental Commission on a 9-0 vote, with Commissioner Brimer abstaining.
April 28, 2026 - Approved with no recommendations by the Planning Commission on a 12-0 vote.
Additional Backup Information:
This ordinance amends Ordinance No. 20221115-048 and modifies City Code and criteria that further the permitting and expansion of the City’s high-capacity transit system. This ordinance expands permitting options to allow consistency with recent City permitting process changes, allows for administrative review of heritage trees, rescinds an outdated 2000 utility policy, establishes streetscape standards for the light rail alignment, creates a programmatic water quality program for the light rail project, and makes administrative rule modifications specifically for the project that proactively address constrained conditions along the alignment right-of-way.