PEOPLE
BY BEN THOMPSON
Lauren Middleton-Pratt Austin planning director
Community Impact spoke with Lauren Middleton-Pratt, Austin’s new planning director following the separation of the city’s housing and planning o ces into two departments this year. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. WHAT DREW YOU HERE?
Lauren Middleton-Pratt began as Austin’s planning director May 1. PLANNING DEPARTMENT PRIORITIES Middleton-Pratt has years of government and private-sector experience, most recently as an assistant city manager in Buda. Below are some of her priorities in Austin:
what we are currently facing today— economic downturn, the pandemic, the in ation and trying to help the development community help us develop Austin as it is today—but then preparing for what we will be in 10, 20, 50 years from now. WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK FOR LAND USE CODE UPDATES? There were approximately 12 code amendments that were already in the works. ... Then, there are approxi- mately six code amendments that … we know that we can just kind of get those through the implementation process before the end of the year. The balance of the amendments will take a more comprehensive approach. It’s going to take more time than six months to implement, engage
with the community in the right way. It’s a heavy lift. WHAT’S OTHER PLANNING WORK IS HAPPENING? Sta has proposed to [city man- agement] that we need resources— resources being dollars—to fund a comprehensive plan update. We’re not going to get it done in six months; we’re not going to get it done in 12 months, but if we can add the work and the e ort that sta has done on district planning and add it to creating a new [future land use map], ... I could see us coming out of that comprehensive update under- standing where we’re going, how we can create an Austin that everybody can be proud of, and provide real direction for City Council and for sta .
My dad went to [Huston-Tillotson University] back in the ’60s, and … my husband Brandon and I decided that Austin was going to be the place that we raised our two boys. And so having an opportunity to lead planning e orts in the place where I’m growing my family and raising my family, it was a no-brainer. WHAT’S THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT’S ROLE? When people hear about sin- gle-family homes versus industrial zones, or where can you have blue-collar jobs, where’s the best place to put new schools, that’s all zoning. Then there are the long-range planning e orts, planning for tomorrow. Not only planning for
Workforce focus Recruit and retain team amid short sta ng
Give sta support and resources Ensure Austin’s updated in-person work policy is equitable
Community engagement
Make the department present in the community Attend conferences and public events Ensure transparency and access
Red Line Urban Trail will connect the Q2 Stadium to Northern Walnut Creek Trail. Learn more and give your feedback!
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NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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