Leander City Council gave final approval for the zoning change at the Davis House. The zoning at 104 N. Brushy St. will change to allow businesses such as restaurants, bars with food service and brewpubs in the redevelopment of the historic Leander house.
The change was approved June 17 in the consent agenda vote.
Original post: June 10
Potential uses of one of Leander’s oldest standing homes, the Davis House, include a brewpub and restaurant, according to city plans.
The city is aiming to create a public-private partnership to redevelop the Old Town Leander house. This allows a private business to occupy the city-owned building to preserve the history and honor the character of the area with private funds, said Cameron Goodman, a city economic development managing partner, at the June 3 council meeting.
“We’ve looked at ways to creatively find funding to help save this house. This is one of the oldest homes in Leander. It has a lot of history,” Goodman said. “Coming with that is also a high price tag to fix the home.”
The building is in need of roof and foundation repairs, according to the city, and Old Town Incentive Program funding could be used to cover some of these costs. Interested businesses include restaurants, bars with food service and brewpubs, according to the city.
Leander City Council unanimously approved the first reading of site zoning changes June 3. If approved on the second reading June 17, the zoning will change from civic space to general commercial. According to city documents, a brewpub and restaurant will be allowed.
Previously, the city and its historical preservation and public arts commissions explored options and requested drawings and a survey for the house in 2019. An architectural assessment was done on the home in 2018, according to the city.
The city bought the home in 2006 and used it as planning offices until February 2018. The Davis family owned and lived in the house from 1949-2006.
