Round Rock City Council approved Nov. 12 a rezoning request to permit four 2-family structures at 615 Pecan Ave., Round Rock. The request, now approved, rezones the property from a 2-family zoning district to a planned unit development, or PUD.

Planning and Development Services Director Brad Wiseman said the main difference between the PUD and 2-family zoning is that as a PUD, the property will have a private access drive. The PUD allows for eight dwelling units, a maximum permitted height of 2.5 stories and four parking spaces per unit, according to city documents.

The project's developer and city officials both reached out to neighborhoods for feedback via social media and direct mailing methods, Wiseman said. Some elements of the project incorporated into the PUD, such as entry drive lighting measures, paving and signage, were derived from public input.

Katherine Iannessa, a Round Rock resident, addressed council Nov. 12 regarding her concerns about light and noise pollution and increased traffic related to the rezoning. She said her property is adjacent to the back of the identified project area and she is worried that the project has the potential to impact the quality of her life.

“The traffic in that neighborhood has just exploded," Iannessa said.


Amanda Swor, senior project manager at Drenner Group, PC, is affiliated with the project and told council Nov. 12 that the buildings will be concentrated on the opposite corner of the property, away from Iannessa's home. Swor added that some fences and vegetation will be included in the design of the project to help alleviate some of the noise and light concerns.

A second reading was dispensed by council, and the rezoning request was formally approved Nov. 12.