In 2014 the at-large Austin City Council reduced the occupancy limits to 4 unrelated adults per property on new construction and grandfathered the occupancy limit of 6 unrelated adults per property for existing structures.  As a result, the demolition of houses and replacement with purpose built high occupancy houses and duplexes (stealth dorms) ended.  Based on these excellent results, in 2016, the 10-1 Austin City Council removed the March 2016 expiration date making the occupancy limits permanent. 

On October 4, 2019 the City released a draft of the Land Development Code with significant changes.  Transition zones (R4 and RM1) were mapped deep into many neighborhoods and development standards for R2 zones to replace the rest of SF-3 zoning were changed.  R2 zones allow duplexes that are 50% larger than what is currently allowed on lots as small as 5,000 sq ft. R4 zones allow 4 to 8 units, and RM1 zones allow 6 to 10 units.  Perhaps most impactful is the CHANGE TO OCCUPANCY LIMITS WHICH WILL ALLOW UP TOT 6 UNRELATED ADULT PER UNIT.  This will immediately make it very profitable to demolish homes and build large, high occupancy duplexes. 

In addition, the draft code allows GROUP RESIDENTIAL by right in all transition zones.  The draft defines GROUP residential as “The use of a site for occupancy by a group who are not a family on a weekly or longer basis in which sleeping units are separate from, but located in the same building with, common areas that include kitchen, laundry, and other shared facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, fraternity and sorority houses, dormitories, residence halls, boarding houses, and cooperative housing.”

The effect of these changes will be devastating to Austin neighborhoods.  Houses will be demolished like dominoes and stealth dorms will replace our neighbors.  Please let the Mayor and City Council know that this is NOT OK.  Ask them to uphold the current occupancy limits and to limit Group Residential, especially in neighborhoods near the University of Texas. 
http://www.austintexas.gov/email/all-council-members