Austin City Council Approves Controversial Rezoning for Thornton Road Development

Austin City Council Grants Approval for New Development on Thornton Road

Hey, Austin! Big news coming your way! The City Council recently gave the green light to some significant changes on Thornton Road, and we’re excited to share the details with you. After a couple of bumps in the road, the property owners at 2313, 2315, 2401, and 2413 Thornton Road finally got the approval they were after at the Council’s meeting on November 7.

What’s the Buzz About?

The area is set to be rezoned to MF-6 or Multifamily-Highest Density, which comes with a conditional overlay that allows a maximum height of 60 feet. That’s a pretty hefty change for this charming street, which runs south from Oltorf Street and is nestled snugly between a railroad track and South Lamar Boulevard. There’s already a mix of single-family homes, multifamily units, and a variety of commercial businesses, including artsy galleries and workshops.

Now, you might be wondering what all this means for traffic and the local vibe. Well, there was quite a bit of chatter during the approval process. The city staff initially recommended a less intense zoning option called General Commercial Services-Vertical Mixed Use (CS-V) instead. They were worried about how the new zoning could bring a whopping 57.51% traffic increase to the already congested Thornton Road, which they said was “currently operating at an undesirable level.”

Neighbors Speak Up!

Local residents didn’t sit quietly while all this was happening. Some voiced their concerns to Council Member Ryan Alter, highlighting how the current traffic situation makes even simple tasks like turning left onto Oltorf a hassle. Dana Lasman, the president of the Carriage Park homeowners’ association, stepped up during the Council meeting to express gratitude to Alter for addressing their worries. However, she made it clear that many residents still opposed the new zoning, seeking solutions for the traffic nightmare they already experience.

Lasman brought along a map to showcase just how difficult it is for residents to maneuver around when there’s a train passing nearby. “When that happens,” she noted, “we get backed up all the way down Oltorf and around South Lamar.” Though, amidst the ongoing traffic trials, she mentioned that the applicant was looking into possibly installing a traffic light in that tricky area, which residents were grateful for.

Compromise and Forward Thinking

In the midst of all this, Michael Whellan, representing the developers, highlighted that the property was previously under commercial zoning that allowed for similar heights. He mentioned that a compromise was struck, keeping the height limit at 60 feet while reducing the intensity in terms of coverage— cutting it down to 80% impervious cover and 70% building coverage.

While there are concerns, Whellan also pointed out the perks of this location. “You can walk to four bus stops in just ten minutes!” he said, sharing that there is a complete sidewalk access for residents.

What’s Next?

The discussions around the Thornton Road rezoning case sparked quite a conversation among the Council. Council Member Ryan Alter labeled it as one of the more challenging zoning cases due to balancing the need for more housing in a connected area while managing existing traffic concerns. “I’ve driven and walked this road,” he stated, acknowledging the neighbors’ valid worries.

As Austin continues to grow, changes like these spark all kinds of conversations in the community. Whether you’re for or against the new development, it’s clear that the zoning update on Thornton Road is something to keep an eye on. After all, it’s not just about building; it’s also about building a community where everyone can thrive!