ALISON HAS

Championed Neighborhoods, Not Developers

  • Voted Against CodeNEXT:
    The re-write of the Land Development Code (LDC)  known as CodeNEXT was in process before Alison took office. Alison voted against the proposal multiple times; at every single decision point because the Code favored special interests and failed to deliver benefits for everyday Austinites. 

  • Championed Neighborhoods, Affordability and Safety:
    Though she voted against the LDC, Alison advanced multiple amendments to strengthen affordability and neighborhood safety including amendments to reduce wildfire evacuation risks, prohibiting “upzoning” in areas with localized flooding, and requiring coordination with local school districts before adjusting minimum parking requirements. 

  • Supported Public Notice and Protest Rights:
    Alison consistently voted in the minority to allow the public to vote on the Land Development Code before it could take effect. Alison also voted to require the city to provide notice to every property owner of any proposed zoning change and allow them the right to protest. The Council majority refused to recognize those rights and requirements, until they were ordered to by Judge Jan Soifer but Alison always championed those rights. 

  • Urged Participatory Community Planning:
    Alison believes we should plan for and manage growth not simply unleash it and rubber stamp it. Rather than upzoning the entire city without proper guidelines or planning, Alison believes we should engage neighborhoods to plan for change. Alison supports implementing the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan which calls for growth to be targeted to our transit corridors and Growth Centers like Downtown and the Domain. Neighborhoods should be engaged to develop small area or neighborhood plans to guide changes for future growth that reflect their local context and needs.

  • Supports Making Renovations Simpler and Easier:
    Alison believes we can support homeowners renovating or expanding their homes without adopting a code that upzones the city and exacerbates demolition rates. Alison supported the Family Homestead Initiative which aims to improve and streamline our permitting system to make it easier to obtain permits for renovations. As we update our code, we should focus on making it simpler and easier for everyday Austinites to navigate without having to hire a lobbyist.