Prop J would put every comprehensive land-development code rewrite, such as CodeNEXT, to a public vote. It would also institute a mandatory waiting period before any new comprehensive zoning laws go into effect.  This is very important as the Mayor and City Manager are planning a "reboot" of the land development code rewrite.  If Prop J passes, the the process of rewriting the land development code will have to take into account the comments and concerns of the community to produce a new code with broad community support -- i.e. a land development code that will be accepted by the voters.  If Prop J fails, it will take just 6 votes on the City Council to pass the "Son of CodeNext" and remap the entire city. 

Here are a few of the most common myths being spread about Proposition J, along with the facts that Austin voters need to know:

MYTH: CodeNEXT is dead, so Proposition J is irrelevant.

FACT: The brand-name “CodeNEXT” may be gone, but Austin’s mayor and city council have expressed a desire to “reboot” or “restart” the controversial land-redevelopment plan after this November’s election. If Austin residents pass Proposition J, they will be given the right to decide whether or not that reboot becomes law. The same will hold true for any comprehensive revision of our land-development laws, regardless of how the City of Austin chooses to package it.

MYTH: Proposition J is anti-growth.

FACT: Proposition J is neither pro-growth nor anti-growth. Proposition J is pro-democracy. Proposition J simply calls for voter approval of comprehensive, once-in-generation revisions of Austin’s land-development laws.

MYTH: Proposition J calls for a three-year waiting period before changes can be made to our land code, delaying new developments.

FACT: Proposition J does call for a waiting period before any comprehensive revision of our land-development laws can be implemented, but we expect that waiting period to last one year or less. Proposition J applies only to once-in-a-generation revisions of Austin’s land-development laws like CodeNEXT, not specific development projects, incremental changes to the law, or individual programs like flooding mitigation and affordable-housing initiatives.

MYTH: Land-development laws are too complicated for voters to weigh in on.

FACT: Austin residents are capable of voting on complicated things, and they do so every time they are asked to weigh in on bond packages, charter amendments, and other big issues. Our land-development laws have just as much impact on their homes and neighborhoods, if not more. Proposition J simply calls for a public vote on any comprehensive revision of those laws — it doesn’t call for residents to rewrite those laws or shape them in any way.

MYTH: Proposition J is supported only by affluent homeowners.

FACT: Proposition J is supported by a wide variety of grassroots groups throughout our community, including the Austin NAACP, PODER, and the Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS), just to name a few.

Email amandaboydcc@gmail.com if you'd like a "Vote YES on Prop J" sign.