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Beyond giving 600 more Austinites the ability to live in central Austin near LBL, the planned project includes numerous community benefits, like $225,000 for city parks, space for a police substation, rent-free meeting space for nonprofit groups, the option of 60 subsidized-rent units or a payment of $1.5 million to $2 million. Those benefits might have allowed the development to exceed the waterfront overlay ordinance's height restrictions based on development bonuses, but the development bonus part of the ordinance has still not been drafted.
The vote will be an interesting indication of the new City Council's appetite for development. Anti-development groups made strong showings in the last two elections (and may show up to oppose this development), but the faltering economy and lagging tax rolls may make councilmembers hesitate to kill a beneficial project.



The 'height' debate here is absurd. It would be good to see the development money coming from local sources, but why are people so up and arms. They really are trying to work with our zoning codes here. I hope the city does its diligence with all the information on the table, and then makes the right decision for the city (and our jewel, Lady Bird Lake).
The density bonuses, however formulated, will not allow exceptions to the height limits. PUDs are the only exception, and PUDs, of course, always require City
Council approval.
This is transit-oriented development if the metro rail to the airport ever gets built.
It's important to realize also that this is across the street from the hike and bike trail. It's lake front in the same way the long center is.