Bastrop building code changes spark debate

BASTROP — A trio of building code amendments designed to protect Bastrop’s character and preserve established neighborhoods may slow residential development, according to some local real estate investors.

The updated policies, recently approved by City Council, focus on minimum lot sizes, set-back distances and housing types in older single-family neighborhoods.

“We’ve got refugees from Austin, we’ve got people from all over, and everything we’ve talked about on these items will do nothing but increase the cost of housing because it’s going to reduce the number of houses available,” said Tom Leibowitz, who owns development property in the city. “Supply and demand works in the housing market as well as it works in anything else.”