big changes, tiny homes

Austin can have more starter and tiny homes with new zoning amendments

Austinites will likely start seeing more tiny homes like this one in Waco.

Austinites will soon be sharing more spaces, thanks to the approval of the hotly debated "Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment" (HOME) Initiative. (Cue angry Nextdoor users.) The code amendments, allowing for more housing types and supply in single-family zones around Austin, passed 9-2 on December 7.

Current homeowners need not fret about their property; These changes are optional. However, as neighbors start taking these building options, the views around the neighborhood may be very different.

The changes, specifically, also include updates to Austin's Land Development Code (LDC), in several areas.

Up to three units will now be allowed on single-family lots. City Council city council says this will help homeowners "provide on-site housing options to family members, a caregiver, or earn additional income." One commonly cited concern was greater density potentially changing Austin's character.

The three-unit limit would include tiny homes, which the Council defines as "a small, efficient space, typically under 400 square feet, that often enables homeowners to live a more environmentally conscious, financially stable, and minimalist lifestyle." It pointed out a lower ecological footprint and also classified them as recreational vehicles (RVs).

Similarly, smaller homes in general will now be more profitable to build; Instead of constructing one huge house to maximize profit where only one can be built, smaller houses may now be just as profitable. City Council points out that this will provide options to first-time homebuyers.

In addition to these new possibilities, there is some balance with the ways of old. Homeowners will be offered bonuses for preservation and sustainability to keep neighborhoods from changing too much with new construction.

The number of unrelated adults who can live in one home is eliminated, giving greater options for roommates — and splitting the rent. There will still be a square-footage-per-person occupancy limit.

Despite the popularity reflected in the supermajority vote, the Austin Chronicle noted a generational divide at a community feedback session in October. It recorded that many supporters were young and hoping for affordability above all.

The Council shared an online tool for homeowners to determine how their property is zoned at austintexas.gov.

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a barton creek paradise

$15.2 million Austin sanctuary is in the middle of a nature conservancy

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek, Austin home for sale

Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek sits on 24 acres of untouched Hill Country land.

Living on an expansive estate teeming with untouched nature and vegetation may seem like a priceless dream, but a lavish property in West Austin has a cost in mind: $15.2 million.

Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek sits on 24 acres of untouched Hill Country land.

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek is a 24-acre estate with an Austin address, although it is located near Bee Cave, a Hill Country suburb. The entrance of the property is double gated, and the area is completely surrounded by a 4,100-acre nature conservancy to provide a peaceful and private escape from the ever-changing landscape of the Texas capital.

The 7,931-square-foot main house contains seven spacious bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and one half bath. The listing, managed by Douglas Elliman sales agents Jeanne Parker and Julie Mack, describes the modernly updated home as a place where "elegance and comfort intertwine seamlessly."

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek, Austin home for sale The estate is a private and peaceful oasis.Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

The new Wolf appliances in the state-of-the-art chef's kitchen is a primary example of the sophisticated upgrades that have been completed on the residence. The primary bathroom has also been completely remodeled, where the next owners can be enamored with the privacy of the Hill Country while enjoying luxurious baths in the standalone soaking tub.

Another key feature of this home is its abundance of fireplaces, which can be found in bedrooms, living areas, balconies, and outdoors.

The property is also suited for hosting friends and family with two additional buildings: A fully equipped guest house, and a lofted "executive lodge" that can be used as additional guest quarters, game room, or executive office.

Like the rest of the residences on the estate, the executive lodge has breathtaking views of the Hill Country that can be admired from the spacious balcony or large windows. The space sits above a three-car garage that comes with a pull-through for a RV and a dog washing station.

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek, Austin home for sale The spacious executive lodge also comes with a kitchenette, making it suitable for hosting guests or using as an office.Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

All of the residences open up to the backyard pool area where guests can relax under the covered veranda, the patio, or take a dip in the resort-style custom designed pools. There's plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy if exploring the property's untouched 24 acres is a more appealing alternative to sitting by the pool.

"Enjoy honey made from the hives on the property which provide not only an agricultural exemption, but also promote a healthy environment for everyone," the listing says.

Guests are also welcome to go fishing or paddle boarding in Barton Creek, where the estate has more than 200 feet of grassy shoreline access to the water.

The property is zoned for Lake Travis Independent School District, and is situated just minutes away from the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave.

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