Pflugerville is Becoming an Increasingly Unaffordable Place to Live
It's no secret that City Council's actions are pricing out Pflugerville families from being able to afford to live here. Whether it’s renting or buying, costs are skyrocketing. The city’s housing development rules are slow, complicated, and outdated, which keeps new housing supply from catching up with demand.
My opponent, rather than propose anything that actually helps affordable housing be developed, has floated spending almost half a MILLION dollars on overpriced outside consultants for a code rewrite, which delays solutions another year and IS PAID FOR from your property taxes (Raising housing costs even further) without building a single home. He unfortunately has the same horrific tax and spend policies that have caused this mess, and wants you to believe that making the problem worse will somehow solve it.
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This race is for just one seat on city council and anything done on housing would need the support of a majority of the council (yet another reason to go out and vote for Pat McCord to be our next Mayor), however there are many very specific and easy things we can do RIGHT NOW that will decrease housing costs while not cratering the home values of those of us who already own. We don’t need to waste even more money on more studies. We need immediate action. My plan uses the tools Pflugerville already has under Texas law to cut costs, speed up housing, and keep the city competitive all without raising taxes.
What We Can Do Right Now
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Fast-Track Permitting.
Pflugerville can speed up housing construction dramatically by enforcing a “shot clock” for permits. If the city fails to act within 30 days on a complete application, the permit is automatically approved. This forces city hall to process building permits quickly, reducing financing and legal costs for developers, which, in turn, helps lower prices for new homeowners and renters. -
Open Zoning for More Housing Types.
Existing rules often limit us to single-family homes on large lots or giant soulless apartment complexes to seize tax revenue, stifling variety and affordability. We should immediately allow, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right across residential zones. Eliminating burdensome lot-size and parking mandates will give residents and developers more housing choices, helping accommodate first-time buyers, seniors, and growing families affordably. -
Transparency and Accountability.
We will publish, in plain language, every rule in the development code that drives up housing costs, from large lot requirements to architectural mandates. It’s citizens’ right to know how regulations affect their housing expenses. Transparency promotes accountability and ensures we focus reform where it matters most.
Next Steps
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Remove the Roadway Impact Fee.
Pflugerville currently charges roadway impact fees which range in the thousands per new home depending on location (e.g., $6,773 to $13,445 per house). These fees force developers to pass those costs down to buyers or renters. Eliminating this fee would significantly reduce upfront development costs and make housing more affordable. Since Texas law allows cities to adjust or eliminate impact fees, we can reallocate funding strategies to support roads without burdening housing affordability. -
Make Growth Pay Fairly for Infrastructure Only.
While removing the roadway impact fee, we must still ensure new development contributes its fair share to necessary infrastructure via targeted, transparent impact fees, such as water and wastewater impact fees tied directly to the cost of those systems. The key is fairness, developers should fund infrastructure that serves their projects, but fees must not be so high they make housing unattainable. -
Expedited Approval for Affordable Projects.
We can prioritize projects that deliver the housing our community needs (like starter homes or senior units) by offering them faster review timelines without additional fees. This gives builders a clear incentive to focus on affordability, helping families get access to homes more quickly and cost-effectively. -
Developer Roundtables
Instead of costly studies, hold quarterly meetings bringing together builders, residents, and planning staff. These sessions can identify barriers in real time, resolve issues faster, and build trust. Real-world feedback beats consultant reports and helps keep reforms grounded and effective.
For the Future
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Phase-In Code Simplification.
Rather than spending hundreds of thousands on consultants, we can task our staff with simplifying the development code in stages. Pflugerville can borrow proven zoning reforms from neighboring cities like Hutto or Georgetown and adapt them. This phased, cost-effective approach delivers results without stalling housing supply. -
Stop Hidden Taxation.
No more using permit or utility fees to fund unrelated city expenses. All fees collected must go into their designated areas — water fees pay for water, permit fees pay for code administration. Keeping finances honest protects affordability and retains public trust. -
Smart, Stage-Gated Infrastructure Investment
As the city grows, infrastructure expansions should be tied directly to actual demand and developed in phases, not in giant, debt-fueled “empire” projects that burden taxpayers. Stage-gated infrastructure keeps debt low, builds community confidence, and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent on what truly benefits residents.
The Bottom Line
If Pflugerville wants more affordable housing, we must act now: cut red tape, open zoning, remove costly road impact fees, and focus growth fees only where they reflect real infrastructure costs. This plan doesn’t rely on expensive studies that exacerbate the problem, it relies on clear action that helps families, lowers housing costs, and keeps Pflugerville affordable and accessible.
