Transit-oriented Development Ordinance: Austin, TX
This document is an amendment to the Austin, Texas city code adding a special zoning district for Transit-Oriented Develoments (TODs).
The City of Austin has created a TOD district to be used in different place-types within the city. It envisions Neighborhood TOD districts, Town Center TOD districts, Regional Center TOD districts and Downtown TOD districts. For each of these sub-districts, the TOD zoning regulations sets out provisions for uses, site development requirements, parking requirements, preparation of station area plans, adoption of station area plans, amendments to station area plans and allowed uses tailored for each districts.
The Austin TOD ordinance is a basic template regulating development standards that also manages to incorporate progressive standards related to transit and pedestrian elements. A mixture of residential densities, commercial types and office uses are permitted. Drive-through uses are prohibited and automotive-related uses are only permitted by special permit. Building entrances must face major streets and streets with transit service. First floor minimum building heights are set at 15 feet and at least 50% of building facades must be made up of fenestration. Parking is prohibited in the fronts of buildings and larger parking lots must be designed to allow for future street and sidewalk connections. In addition to the baseline standards, each TOD district must adopt a Station Area Plan through an active and intentional community involvement process. These plans establish further and more specific regulations for each district related to uses, development standards, streetscapes and affordable housing.
