Round Rock officials rezoned a new housing development south of the city's downtown area to a planned unit development.
The project was previously zoned for single family, commercial and light industrial use, but officials unanimously approved the change during a May 12 city council meeting.
The proposed project is known as the Arte PUD by developer W.B. Property Group, according to city documents.
During an April Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the commission voted 3-4 against approval following complaints from residents of the immediate area.
At the May 12 council meeting, Planning and Development Services Director Brad Wiseman said the location is in line with the city's strategic goal of adding 1,000 new housing units within a quarter mile of Main Street.
"They're just outside their quarter mile downtown from Main Street," Wiseman said. "The goal of that policy is to drive more retail-type uses as opposed to office and nightlife."
Plans for the project include a maximum of 410 urban multifamily units and 19 townhomes.
A maximum building height of six stories is planned for one multifamily structure, and a maximum height of five stories is planned for a second structure.
Access to the development will be along E. Logan and S. Mays Streets, according to city information.
City documents also state the developer held multiple meetings with nearby residents who expressed many concerns to the commission, including the height of the structures and traffic impact on the area, as well as frustration with developer W.B. Property Group.
Residents expressed similar concerns during the May 12 council meeting and asked questions centered on foot traffic increasing behind the existing community.
Residents also expressed concern regarding the addition of a new housing development in conjunction with increases in crime.
At the same meeting, Round Rock resident Morgan Day asked city officials to consider finding a project that better fit the area before approving the rezoning request.
Day mentioned the project's failure to pass at P&Z and suggested that the developer might pivot to make the project more townhome-focused. She specified that a different development might be better suited for the property.
"We all know we're in a housing crisis," Day said. "Obviously housing is important to get on the ground. There's something in my mind that still makes this feel like a square peg in a round hole. I know we need density. My heart really feels like it should be something more in [the] townhouse [designation]."
David Weinstein, a representative for W.B. Property Group, addressed some of the residents' concerns during the May 12 meeting.
Current plans include some type of fencing to curb foot traffic behind existing homes, he said.
Additionally, Amanda Swor, a senior project manager with Drenner Group, a land use firm working in partnership with the developer, said the project will also feature the use of rainwater to irrigate landscaping.
