A Coalition of Neighbors

The Texas Neighborhood Coalition is a network of thousands of neighbors across Texas. The College Station Chapter supports data-driven policies that balance the needs of all community sectors. Examples include local neighborhoods suitable for families to invest in and raise children, housing for the elderly to age in place on fixed incomes, and affordable middle and high-density housing that is suitable for our 75,000 students. These have different needs and require specific planning of zoning rules, transportation to the campus, density of power and sewage services, walkable elementary schools, and other unique features. A city that is not planned with diverse zoning to meet the needs of different sectors of its community, cannot be planned to meet the needs of any.

One major concern in this legislative session is the proposed House Bill 2797 that would force cities to eliminate all family zoning and allow 6-9 unrelated occupants in any neighborhood home. Visit “CollegeStationTNC.org” for a detailed discussion of the bill and damage it will do to the affordability of single-family housing. See Sidebar for a list of key elements.

The second major concern is House Bill 673, which forces cities to allow investors to build and operate a second home on every lot in every neighborhood. Most cities, including College Station, already allow Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADUs) as long as the home is owner-occupied. This bill forces cities to allow investors to buy and operate both. It also eliminates reasonable constraints, such as parking requirements cities have established for the additional home.
Contact: collegestationtnc1@gmail.com