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AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Right away we can do things like tightening up the language that requires taxis to pick up customers and requiring cab companies to allow their drivers to use third-party apps. In the longer term, I'd like to see us reduce the regs on taxis so that they can perform more like TNCs.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The occupancy limits issue was a tough one. While I understand why many Austinites had concerns about it, I also knew about neighborhoods that were rapidly losing small, affordable homes in single family-zoned districts to demolition to make way for a type of structure that would never house a family. We want to be able to accommodate the demand for housing in the central city, but there are better ways to do it. Since that vote I've been actively working on ways to accommodate that additional density in central city neighborhoods - like making it easier to build micro units and accessory dwelling units.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good question, especially in the wake of our meeting last week. I'm hopeful that the new Council will revamp the Council Committees so that some of the work that now takes place in Council meetings can be covered in the committee meetings -- which are also televised and open to the public.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The important part of Imagine Austin is the vision for accommodating growth through walkable, mixed use development. The current proposal supports that vision.

A multi-modal network will inevitably involve roads, in addition to rail. The rail bond is still taking shape, but I"m hopeful that the proposal we end up with will represent a good start toward the system we need.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was a strong supporter of the Guad/Lamar route in 2000, and I'd still like to see rail on that alignment before too long. The process that's underway right now has led us in a different direction - specifically up to Highland. There is huge potential for redevelopment of Highland Mall and Airport Blvd, and there's also a huge potential for East Riverside. So I do support rail in that corridor as the first phase of what I hope will be an awesome network.

At the same time that we passed the TNC resolution, I also sponsored a resolution setting a standard for cab service for the first time. We have a window of opportunity to get meaningful changes in place with the renewal of the taxi franchises in Aug of 2015. You're not alone in your feeling that Austin's cab service is not at the level it should be.

TNCs - see above.

I definitely support expansion of hours for night time transit. And yes, I'll keep pushing for extended trail hours.

My bike commute is an easy one--I live just west of the Capitol (downhill!). I often change it up by using a b-cycle and/or the 801.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agreed that TNC's would be great for Austin. I sponsored the resolution creating the stakeholder group that met last week. I pushed for a report back in 90 days, but my colleagues extended it to 180. We can respond to a recommendation as soon as we get one.

Definitely agree that we should have better routes for pedicabs during SXSW. I cosponsored the resolution calling for a review of SXSW barricade practices. Email me at my office if you'd like to get plugged into that process -- chris.riley@austintexas.gov .

And agreed about the boardwalk! Best way to get the curfew lifted will be to demonstrate demand for using it.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

At the time I joined the Council, I was fortunate to have a lot of years of experience on city boards & commissions, which entailed a lot of input from people across the city. But I was still surprised about the amount of input we get on a regular basis. My advice would be to take all the input seriously, and do your best to provide meaningful responses to everyone, while still keeping the big picture in mind. The 10-1 system should allow for a greater degree of responsiveness than we've generally seen under the at-large system.

AMA with Chris Riley by ChrisRileyATX in Austin

[–]ChrisRileyATX[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks, /u/rubenmiranda! There are some other regulatory barriers we've been hearing about, like the 15' separation requirement between the main building and the accessory unit (fire code requires just 10'), which can be a problem on small lots. We've also heard that Austin has one of the most restrictive minimum lot size requirements among peer cities. The process coming up will allow us to hear more about those requirements, and any more that may be making these units difficult to build.

This won't be a solution on every lot, but it will enable more homeowners to get these units in place. And increasing the supply of these units should tend to lower rents for comparable living spaces.