VMU

Everything you wanted to know about Vertical Mixed Use (VMU)

Tell us what you think about this issue. Click here to take the Allandale VMU Survey online. If you're new to the VMU issue, you may want to browse some of the information below before you start.

This page is your guide to the issue of Vertical Mixed Use (VMU) in Allandale.

What the heck is "VMU"? View a short slide presentation to get a complete overview of VMU.

What choices does the "Opt In/Opt Out" process give us? What are the ramifications of these choices? Click here for a discussion of all the in's and out's of opting in or out.

What do other neighbors think about VMU? Click here to read an opinion about the positive side of VMU. Then click here to read an opinion about the negative side of VMU.

Want some deep background on the subject? Click here to visit the VMU Reading Library.

The In's and Out's of Opting In or Out

 

Now that the VMU Overlay District (VMUOD) is in place along Burnet Road and Anderson Lane, we have a chance to "opt in" or "opt out". What does that mean?

"Opt in" means that we can identify a property in Allandale where VMU is currently not permitted and ask that it be added to the VMUOD. None of the neighbors we've talked to have shown any interest in this, so enough said.

"Opt out" means that we ask to withdraw or limit certain incentives (see below) that are being offered to VMU developers. Also, we can ask for a property to be removed from VMUOD,  i.e. not eligible for VMU.

Opinion: The Positive Side of VMU

by Steven Zettner

Last year, Harrell's hardware store closed its doors on Burnet   Roadafter 40 years. Mike Harrell said he was driven out of business by rising property taxes and big box competitors. Harrell's joined other victims of a changing economic landscape, including the Putt-Putt, Academy, and Northcross Mall. Meanwhile, car lots that pull traffic from all over Austin are remodeling and thriving.

Opinion: The Negative Side of VMU

By Paulette Kern, Jack Kern, Nancy McMurtry, and Allan McMurtry

 Our many concerns begin with the assertion that the VMU Overlay District is a zoning change for Burnet Road, which currently does not allow residential. The VMUOD allows residences to be built above commercial use on the ground floor. Allandale residents have been denied the rights of notification and a prior hearing in front of City Council.

The VMU Reading Library

- The Whole Enchilada: the full text of Subchapter E, which defines all the new design standards, including VMU

- Going Vertical (Austin Chronicle): a thorough but readable survey of the new rules for VMU.

- VMU Opt-in / Opt-out Process: the City of  Austin web site

- Envisioning Urbanism: several nifty illustrations of urban redevelopment, which might include VMU. See especially the Neighborhood Commercial center examples.