What's happening
The city is launching its Land Development Academy to help residents, developers and other stakeholders better understand the often-complex rules and processes used to build things in town. The new academy will feature several classes taught by city staff experts in various subject areas, starting with a series from the Development Services Department.
"Land Development Academy participants will learn about the Land Development Code, the site plan review process, and how those topics work together to help Austin’s community thrive while protecting our safety, environment and quality of life," the department said in a news release.
The first round of academy sessions includes:
- May 6: Understanding Technical Criteria Manuals & the Rulemaking Process, 11 a.m.-noon, virtual registration
- May 12: Site Plan 101, 11 a.m.-noon, virtual registration
- May 19: Site Plan 102, 11 a.m.-noon, virtual registration
- June 5: Overview of Environmental Regulation, 11 a.m.-noon, virtual registration
- June 10: Environmental Review Permitting Part 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., in-person, Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin
- June 11: Environmental Review Permitting Part 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., in-person, Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin
What's next
The May and June development courses will be followed by further academy programming from the city's legal, planning and watershed protection departments. More options are expected to be added over time.
The Land Development Academy concept was created as part of Austin's wide-ranging attempts to reform its complicated, time-consuming and costly permitting reviews, a longtime goal of both city officials and local developers. The free public sessions follow internal staff training that began last year.
