Austin Planning Commission Recommends Removing Lot from TOD District

News Summary

The Austin Planning Commission has unanimously recommended the removal of a lot at 2967 Manor Road from the Transit-Oriented Development district. This decision faces strong community opposition due to concerns over a proposed 90-foot residential building featuring 81 units. The Planning Commission aims to address zoning issues to encourage urban development while considering the community’s objections and needs.

Austin – The Austin Planning Commission has recently recommended the removal of a lot at 2967 Manor Road from the Martin Luther King Jr. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) district amidst community opposition to a proposed housing project. The decision was made unanimously during a commission meeting held on March 11.

What Happened

At the recent Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted to recommend that the lot at 2967 Manor Road be excluded from the TOD district. Austin Growth Ventures, the developer who acquired the lot in 2022, has plans to construct a 90-foot building featuring 81 residential units. Currently, the site is occupied by a garage.

Development Plans and Regulatory Framework

The TOD district, established in 2009, aims to foster dense, pedestrian-friendly development near the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard stop on Capital Metro’s Red Line. This district imposes a height limit of 60 feet for buildings within its boundaries. The developer’s proposal, therefore, seeks not only to detach the lot from the TOD but also to implement a zoning change to CS-DB90-NP, which allows for greater density and height under the General Commercial-Density Bonus 90 Neighborhood Plan.

DB90 zoning is specifically designed to encourage higher-density developments while mandating the inclusion of affordable housing.

Community Concerns

drainage, traffic, and the overall aesthetic impacts of a building that exceeds the TOD’s height restrictions. Over a dozen neighbors reiterated their objections during the March 11 meeting, insisting that the project does not sufficiently benefit the community.

Some residents have called for further postponements to continue discussions regarding the site plan, highlighting their contention that the community’s needs have not been adequately considered in the development proposal. Additionally, concerns were raised about a triangular piece of land in front of the site, which could potentially undermine future commercial viability if sold.

Official Response

The Planning Department has voiced support for the developer’s request to rezone the property, stating that the current TOD framework is outdated and that amending it can be more complex than proceeding with a full rezoning. They have assessed that the lot’s peripheral location within the TOD does not create significant zoning inconsistencies, referring to it as a potential “donut hole.”

Commissioner Greg Anderson presented the motion for the approval of the removal from the TOD, emphasizing the need for improved zoning to enhance development opportunities in the area. However, the commission rejected a proposal to exempt the development from including ground-floor commercial space, prioritizing community and planning considerations instead.

What’s Next

Moving forward, the recommended removal of the lot from the TOD and the zoning change proposal will require further review and approval by the city council. With ongoing community opposition and concerns surrounding the project, further discussions are anticipated to ensure that the needs of local residents are addressed. The commission has shown a desire to stimulate development on the property after years of stagnation due to existing zoning laws.

The outcome of this plan highlights the balance between advancing urban development and addressing community concerns in Austin’s evolving landscape.

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Additional Resources

• Austin Monitor: Planning Commission OKs Manor Road Rezoning
• Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
• Community Impact: Manor Road Projects Overview
• Google Search: Martin Luther King Jr. Transit-Oriented Development
• KXAN: 290 Toll Road Expansion Proposal
• Google Scholar: Transit-Oriented Development Austin
• Austin American-Statesman: Manor Road Housing Projects
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development in Austin
• KVUE: Seabrook Square Affordable Housing
• Google News: Austin Zoning Changes