Round Rock City Council voted to annex a 21.28-acre property west of A.W. Grimes and south of University Boulevard on Nov. 14. Council also held an initial discussion and public hearing for two related zoning applications.
The proposal
About half of the site—10.73 acres—is proposed for multifamily, low-density zoning, Round Rock Director of Planning Brad Wiseman said. This zoning designation allows for apartments, townhouses or multi-family homes, with a maximum of 12 dwelling units per acre. If this zoning is approved, buildings would have a maximum height of two-and-a-half stories. Up to 120 units would be permitted, should the zoning move forward as proposed, Wiseman said.
The remaining 10.55 acres is proposed for senior zoning. This would permit apartments, townhouses or assisted living facilities, restricted for senior occupants, with a maximum height of four stories, except when immediately adjacent to single family or two-family property line. The current proposal calls for approximately 280 units for seniors, Wiseman said.
“We feel like senior zoning on this property is a big win for the city,” Bradley Dushkin, Round Rock's assistant director of planning, said during a Nov. 12 meeting. “Senior housing is a very in-demand product in the market right now, and it creates a lot less traffic than traditional multi-family or single-family does.”
Community concerns
During the Nov. 12 meeting, council members raised concerns with the traffic flow on University Boulevard. Council member Matt Baker spoke about school traffic from nearby Caldwell Heights Elementary School and the difficulty of making a left turn onto University from nearby streets.
“I’d really like to see a well-coordinated plan on the traffic,” Baker said.
Two speakers expressed concerns on Nov. 14.
“My concerns are about the traffic that has been generated in the last 10 years on University,” said Round Rock resident Melissa Crowell, who said her property is adjacent to the site. “I’m against any kind of building on this property because I’m concerned about the traffic. We are way behind the curve. The roads should have been improved a long time back.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the zoning application Sept. 18 and recommended city council approve the zoning.
Dushkin said the city and the developer are engaging with nearby residents to disseminate information. Property owners within 300 feet of the subject tract received a notice in the mail, a sign was placed on the property, among other efforts, he said.
“We need to make sure we go above and beyond to give everyone an opportunity to get involved,” council member Tammy Young said.
