A movement is developing in Austin to link downtown zoning variances to "voluntary" contributions to community programs. While a density bonus sounds like a special gift to developers who meet the city's stated goal of a dense vertical downtown, in reality, it is the opposite. Density bonuses essentially charge developers for variances -- if they want to build taller, they need to pay for the privilege.Here is a summary from the Austin Chronicle:
The incentives are the "bonus." For a developer, adding density is gaining additional project entitlements and additional value – more square feet, building floors . . .
