Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance to designate all territory within the City’s municipal boundaries as urban, suburban, or central business district for the purposes of establishing parkland dedication fees to comply with state law House Bill 1526 (88th Regular Session).
De
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation Department.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
September 14, 2023 - Council set the public hearing for this item for October 19, 2023 (Item 87).
For More Information:
Randy Scott, Park Planning Program Manager, 512-974-9484; Liana Kallivoka, Assistant Director, 512-974-9455; Tim Dombeck, Business Process Specialist 512-974-6716.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
September 14, 2023 - Council set the public hearing to consider an ordinance to designate all territory within the City of Austin’s municipal boundaries as urban, suburban, or central business district for the purposes of establishing parkland dedication fees to comply with state law House Bill 1526 (88th Regular Session)- Item No. 20230914-087.
January 28, 2016 - Council approved Resolution No. 20160128-086, which initiated Code amendments to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance in City Code Chapter 25- I (General Requirements and Procedures) to ensure that new growth and development contribute its fair share towards maintaining the City’s park system. Adopted an Urban Core boundary for the purposes of setting a land cap requirement and 5- to 10-minute walk distance.
December 8, 2011 - Council adopted the Downtown Austin Plan, Ordinance No. 20111208-093, as an amendment to the Austin Comprehensive Plan, which established the boundaries of downtown Austin.
November 14, 2019 - Council adopted the Parks and Recreation Department Long Range Plan, Our Parks, Our Future, Ordinance No. 20191114-069, as an amendment to the Austin Comprehensive Plan, which established the Urban Core boundary for the purposes of park planning.
November 19, 2009 - Council adopted Resolution No. 20091119-068, setting the goal of all residents being within ¼-mile walk in the Urban Core and a ½-mile walk in all other parts of the City. The Urban Core boundary was established as Exhibit A to the Resolution.
Additional Backup Information:
On June 10, 2023, House Bill 1526 went into effect, and will apply to all new site plan and subdivision applications beginning January 1, 2024. The bill applies to cities with more than 800,000 residents, affecting the parkland dedication requirements for all proposed multifamily and hotel/motel uses. The bill requires all territory within the municipal boundaries to be designated as suburban, urban, or central business district for the purpose of assessing the average land value to set parkland dedication fees in each geographic area. In accordance with HB 1526, affected municipalities must hold a public hearing with at least 30 days’ public notice. After the geographic designations are finalized, changes to the parkland dedication ordinance will be forthcoming to finalize implementation of the requirements of HB 1526.
Designations must occur no later than December 1, 2023, and be in effect by January 1, 2024.