Dear Neighbors,

Many times throughout the development of CodeNEXT, I have raised concerns about the process and the product’s deviation from Imagine Austin’s vision for the city. For over a year, the community has been very clear about their apprehensions, and I have shared those sentiments as demonstrated in my vote against the consultant’s contract extension, my call for a third draft, my concerns about the timeline, my efforts to reconstitute the planning commission and my support for a public vote on CodeNEXT.

Today it is clear that the will of Council has shifted in favor of ceasing the CodeNEXT process. While I welcome this development, I want to note that no one wins with this decision coming at this point in time. Over the years the community has invested thousands of hours and millions of dollars. The current process has disheartened residents citywide, alienated many individuals, and undermined both civic discourse and faith in city government. Even after all of this effort and turmoil, Austin still ended up with a bad product.

Before us, I see an opportunity to recharge and refocus. As we move forward, our land development code needs to be sustainable and modern, fostering a greater variety of housing options without sacrificing the wellbeing of our lower income and elderly neighbors or our fragile environment. I am glad my colleagues agree that the current process is broken, and I am dedicated to working with the city manager, the rest of council and the community to create a path forward that aligns with our community’s values and Imagine Austin.

If you would like to read through today’s developments, including a joint statement from me, Mayor Pro Tem Tovo, and Council Members Houston and Pool, please read the recent posts on the Council message board. The joint statement also can be found below.

I want to thank all the community members and advocacy organizations who lent their time, energy, and expertise to the CodeNEXT process. Your insight has been invaluable to me as I work through this issue, and I encourage you to remain engaged. Please feel free to contact my office with comments or concerns at District10@austintexas.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.