It Doesn't Get Any Dumber

Dear Editor,
    Everyone is missing the point on the stealth dorm ordinance. The only purpose of this ordinance, as currently written, is to stop the demolition of existing housing stock in neighborhoods north of the UT campus until Code Next can be implemented. Code Next will likely include tools/provisions designed to facilitate the construction of small-scale multifamily housing, the only possible solution to Austin's upward spiraling housing costs. Meanwhile, everyone missed the big story of the evening, where five city council members voted to extended historic zoning on – wait for it – a surface parking lot about a block from the UT campus, thus blocking the construction of a 300-student apartment building which would have set aside 40 spaces for low-income students. Historic zoning on a surface parking lot in order to prevent the construction of affordable student housing close to campus. It doesn't get any dumber than this. We can only hope that these five individuals (Leffingwell, Martinez, Cole, Tovo, and Morrison) will soon be permanently removed from any kind of civic decision-making capacity.