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May 4th
Downtown adaptive reuse
Two townhomes projects
Two pro-development resolutions
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DISTRICT: 9
707 West 10th St
Downtown | 0.2 Acres | Reading: ① - ② - ③
707 West 10th St is a proposal to adapt an existing structure to add in hotel and residential uses.
Headwaters School, a local elementary school, sent in a vote in favor of the project.
The Neighborhood Association weighed in on the project as well. They requested the height to be limited to 60 feet and that the bar be limited to 1,000 SF.
A conditional overlay was used to fulfill both of these requests.
Downtown Austin Plan (2011) and Area Case Histories
DISTRICT: 5
7605 Albert Rd
Damon | 3.1 Acres | 37 Units
The meeting began with a discussion of a new subdivision on Albert, Sherwood, and Damon Roads, which raised concerns about traffic and safety in the neighborhood.
Ruth Lauer, secretary of the Matthews Lane Neighborhood Association, opposed the development at 765 Matthews Lane, citing a physics problem on Albert Road due to the increase in traffic.
Carmen Wemeyer also opposed the uncapped density and lack of infrastructure investment in the area. Council Member Ryan Alter moved to adopt the staff recommended rezoning with an amendment to prevent type three short term rentals. The motion was adopted with Council Member Alison Alter abstaining.
Owner: Mark Hensen
Applicant: Thrower Design, Victoria Hasse
DISTRICT: 1
Gloucester Dwellings
Pecan Springs | 1.65 Acres | 19 Units | Reading: ① - ② - ③
Kendra Rajo endorsed the SF six rezoning at the recent Planning Commission meeting, though she voiced apprehensions regarding potential congestion on Gloucester Lane.
Conversely, Nadia Barbo of the Pecan Spring Springdale Hills Neighborhood Association countered the proposal, highlighting concerns about altering the neighborhood plan and the absence of a committed developer.
Owner: Denise Shannon & Shannon Baston
Agent: Thrower Design
Parking Requirements
City Council passed a resolution to eliminate parking requirements.
“We can fully expect developers and financiers to continue to provide parking at their new projects, especially if these projects are nowhere near good transit or other alternatives to driving. But this will give them more flexibility to avoid over parking any project, and it will allow smaller property owners to build things like backyard, granny flats. And at the end of the day, this is simply market based fix that enables us to better achieve our mobility, affordability, safety, sustainability, and equity goals.
Subdivision Process
In assessing housing costs, two primary factors emerge: construction expenses and land prices. While Council can't control construction costs, they can influence land prices. By making it easier to subdivide lots into multiple pieces, land costs can be reduced, making housing more affordable. However, the current lengthy and costly subdivision process creates an imbalance favoring larger, more expensive homes.
This resolution aims to rectify that by streamlining the subdivision process, lowering housing costs, and promoting infill development.
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