What you need to know
Council passed all four ordinance changes to rezone 114 parcels across downtown, allowing for taller buildings in certain areas. Along May Street and Round Rock Avenue, buildings can now go up to 8-stories tall; and up to 12 stories tall on property along I-35.
Buildings at this height will be required to include privately-owned public spaces, such as a plazas and courtyards.
Additionally, new bars within the historic core of the downtown area are prohibited, while bed and breakfasts are now allowed.
Diving deeper
One key amendment to the proposal allows new single-family homes in the mixed-used district, revising an earlier proposal that would have restricted housing to multifamily units under a new downtown residential category.
The amendment was proposed following feedback from the community and City Council members, who argued it would limit what longtime property owners could do with their land, especially if someone wanted to rebuild or replace an existing home.
Mayor Craig Morgan said he supported mixed-use growth, but didn’t want to take away a homeowner’s ability to rebuild a single-family house within the city’s guidelines.
“I struggle with being a property rights person ... you should be able to do what you want with your land within the guidelines,” Morgan said.
The final ordinances rezone 114 parcels across downtown. The updated zoning rules take effect immediately.
Learn more about the city's downtown zoning changes here.
