Land use
The history of land use planning in the City of Austin Texas dates back to the early 19th century. Early land grants were widely help by Spanish and Mexican landowners who held vast amounts of lands. One of the first land grants was given to build a religious structure in East Texas in 1716 (Web, Texas State Historical Association). According the Texas State Historical Association, much of the lands in Texas were under the control of the Spanish Crown and were primarily designated to people of importance, status, or wealth. Agricultural purposes served to strengthen the local economy and make use of the natural banks of water. Austin, Texas is located on the banks of the Colorado River.
The first land grants in Texas encompassed large swaths of land because of the enormous size of Texas. It was not uncommon for one landowner to have several thousands of acres of land given to them as part of a sponsored deed. The City of Austin is named after Moses Austin, a lead minor form Louisiana and his late son Stephen F. Austin. (Web, Texas State Historical Association). Lands during these times were given to settlers who would promise either allegiance to Spain, Mexico, Christianity or to those who were willing make improvements to the land (Web, TSHS) Texas is such a big state that these deeds were in essence given to bring more people into the State.
Austin has great regional history because it is the capitol of Texas. The Texas State Preservation Board, an association set up to maintain the preservation of the capitol building touts the structure as one of the tallest and most recognizable government buildings in the United States. In addition, the association recognizes “the 1888 Texas Capitol as the largest in gross square footage of all state capitols and is second in total size only to the National Capitol in Washington D.C.” (Web). The City of Austin gives way for a lot of architectural admiration and embodiment of classical designs of many buildings of historical importance. The city was portioned to incorporate the design of the capitol building and match the architecture in the surrounding buildings. This can only be done through the thoughtful planning and regulation of zoning. Zoning is the process of strategically combining all kinds of land uses with the least amount of impact to the environments and existing land development. The City of Austin is considered one of the most advanced examples of quality zoning laws and regulation, which have brought praise and recognition to the design layout of the City.
The separation of land designations are found explicitly in the genera plan and supporting documents. Other land use regulations as noted in the Austin, Texas planning department website that pertain to zoning include but is not limited to “site regulations, building heights, bulk, setback, building coverage, impervious cover etc” (Web, Austin). Other elements included on the website for citizens are the establishment of zoning districts. Zoning districts at the most basic level separate “residential, office, retail, and industrial uses” (Web).
The first land grants in Texas encompassed large swaths of land because of the enormous size of Texas. It was not uncommon for one landowner to have several thousands of acres of land given to them as part of a sponsored deed. The City of Austin is named after Moses Austin, a lead minor form Louisiana and his late son Stephen F. Austin. (Web, Texas State Historical Association). Lands during these times were given to settlers who would promise either allegiance to Spain, Mexico, Christianity or to those who were willing make improvements to the land (Web, TSHS) Texas is such a big state that these deeds were in essence given to bring more people into the State.
Austin has great regional history because it is the capitol of Texas. The Texas State Preservation Board, an association set up to maintain the preservation of the capitol building touts the structure as one of the tallest and most recognizable government buildings in the United States. In addition, the association recognizes “the 1888 Texas Capitol as the largest in gross square footage of all state capitols and is second in total size only to the National Capitol in Washington D.C.” (Web). The City of Austin gives way for a lot of architectural admiration and embodiment of classical designs of many buildings of historical importance. The city was portioned to incorporate the design of the capitol building and match the architecture in the surrounding buildings. This can only be done through the thoughtful planning and regulation of zoning. Zoning is the process of strategically combining all kinds of land uses with the least amount of impact to the environments and existing land development. The City of Austin is considered one of the most advanced examples of quality zoning laws and regulation, which have brought praise and recognition to the design layout of the City.
The separation of land designations are found explicitly in the genera plan and supporting documents. Other land use regulations as noted in the Austin, Texas planning department website that pertain to zoning include but is not limited to “site regulations, building heights, bulk, setback, building coverage, impervious cover etc” (Web, Austin). Other elements included on the website for citizens are the establishment of zoning districts. Zoning districts at the most basic level separate “residential, office, retail, and industrial uses” (Web).
Earliest Renderings of City Plan
One of the earliest city plans in the modern 20th Century include a draft plan highlighting the racial tensions of this time period. The planning Commission in 1928 gave a testimonial recollection of the racial discrimination set fourth in official zoning documents (Web, Austin Chronicle). The details of this report advocated for the institutional continuation of policies that kept Blacks separate from Whites. Texas, has a deep history of racial segregation and the movement could not have been stronger. School zoning laws were also in effect to disenfranchise specific members of the population. These practices gave way to gentrification and eminent domain cases that were often unprovoked or justified.
Historical evidence in the Austin Chronicle has also pointed out positive highlights in the history of Austin City Planning. For example, affordable housing considerations were largely thought of as undesirable and a significant contribution to crime and blight (web, Austin Chronicle). This action was taken in 1950 as part of a comprehensive deal that sought to create more opportunities for people to obtain home ownership despite their lack of capital or financial stability. The name if the resolution was called the, “Adopting a Comprehensive Plan Essential to Achieve Improved Housing Conditions” (Web, Austin Chronicle).
Subsequently, similar actions to improve the zoning and housing conditions in the surrounding areas were initiaed in 1956, 1959, 1961, and 1968 (Web, Austin Chronicle). Hundreds of housing projects were built following the pubic announcement of housing renovations. It was around this time that urban planners seemed to be taking a comprehensive approach at the deficiencies that would plague the earliest renderings of the city. The need to address these populations came about through actions initiated and enacted upon by the local city council. The city council is vested with the rights to control all land use decisions in the designated areas. In the State of California, the powers that are granted for land use are initiated at the State level. Each city is tasked with the responsibility of developing a comprehensive plan that incorporates all the elements of a vibrant city. As noted earlier, some of the important historical land use plans are listed below.
Historical evidence in the Austin Chronicle has also pointed out positive highlights in the history of Austin City Planning. For example, affordable housing considerations were largely thought of as undesirable and a significant contribution to crime and blight (web, Austin Chronicle). This action was taken in 1950 as part of a comprehensive deal that sought to create more opportunities for people to obtain home ownership despite their lack of capital or financial stability. The name if the resolution was called the, “Adopting a Comprehensive Plan Essential to Achieve Improved Housing Conditions” (Web, Austin Chronicle).
Subsequently, similar actions to improve the zoning and housing conditions in the surrounding areas were initiaed in 1956, 1959, 1961, and 1968 (Web, Austin Chronicle). Hundreds of housing projects were built following the pubic announcement of housing renovations. It was around this time that urban planners seemed to be taking a comprehensive approach at the deficiencies that would plague the earliest renderings of the city. The need to address these populations came about through actions initiated and enacted upon by the local city council. The city council is vested with the rights to control all land use decisions in the designated areas. In the State of California, the powers that are granted for land use are initiated at the State level. Each city is tasked with the responsibility of developing a comprehensive plan that incorporates all the elements of a vibrant city. As noted earlier, some of the important historical land use plans are listed below.
1. Gregor, Katherine. "Austin Comp Planning: A Brief History." : Moving Forward Sometimes Requires Looking Back. Austin Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.
2. "The Texas Capitol - The State Preservation Board - Caretakers of the Texas Capitol." The Texas Capitol - The State Preservation Board - Caretakers of the Texas Capitol. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
3. "Zoning | Planning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin." Zoning | Planning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin. City of Austin Texas, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
2. "The Texas Capitol - The State Preservation Board - Caretakers of the Texas Capitol." The Texas Capitol - The State Preservation Board - Caretakers of the Texas Capitol. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
3. "Zoning | Planning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin." Zoning | Planning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin. City of Austin Texas, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.
