\t\t\t\tCity planners will explore making it easier to open spaces like cafes and coffee trucks in Austin neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis item really is about more than coffee shops, it\u2019s about community. It\u2019s about getting out of our cars and having space that people can enjoy whether it is that morning cup of coffee or have somewhere where they can walk with their kids,” council member Ryan Alter, the measure’s sponsor, said Oct. 10.<\/p>\n
What’s happening<\/p>\n
Alter said he’s pushing to streamline the addition of the kinds of smaller businesses that are less commonly found in Austin than elsewhere. His resolution<\/a> referenced the Littlefield\u2019s<\/a> patio in West Austin and Desnudo<\/a> coffee trucks in locations like an East Austin food truck park as examples of what he’s hoping to see more of around town.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had lots of conversations at the council about creating complete communities and just things that we can do to make our neighborhoods more livable, more community-focused,” he said in an interview. “I\u2019ve visited a number of cities where you just walk out and have the ability to, let\u2019s say, go to a little cafe or something. And that\u2019s a positive experience.\u201d<\/p>\n With officials’ approval, city staff will work on finding ways to “minimize barriers to and encourage accessibility of” places like coffee shops in more residential areas through technical zoning updates, other regulatory reforms or incentives. Alter said he hopes simplified city processes and other support can inspire more people to launch community-oriented spaces, in line with Austin’s climate<\/a> and planning<\/a> goals to get residents out of their cars and promote more walkable areas.<\/p>\n “I can tell you I\u2019ve talked to a number of people who say, \u2018Wouldn\u2019t it be great if we had a coffee shop here,\u2019 or \u2018Wouldn\u2019t it be great if we had this in our neighborhood?\u2019 I hear that over and over again, and so I\u2019m trying to be responsive to that,” he said.<\/p>\n Updates are specifically focused on cafes and coffee trucks, Alter said, and won’t be aimed at new allowances for other types of retailers in neighborhoods. Anyone seeking to open a business on a residential lot would also still have to go through the public rezoning process for commercial use, he noted.<\/p>\n City departments responsible for planning, economic development and public health will be involved in the review with a report due to council members within a year. Alter’s resolution states that official policy updates under the plan could be made by early December 2026.<\/p>\n What they’re saying<\/p>\n The proposal passed with unanimous council support this fall, and several members stated they hope to see new businesses inspired by the measure in their parts of town.<\/p>\n “Post-pandemic we have a much higher rate of people working from home, sometimes wanting to get out of their home, sometimes wanting to meet someone for a meeting. We also need community gathering spaces, particularly walkable and bikable ones, in order to strengthen those community bonds that make our life good in this city,” said council member Krista Laine, who represents Northwest Austin.<\/p>\n