The overview
Council approved an ordinance May 15 that defines and provides regulations for live-work units.
The backstory
The Castle Hills Planned Development District was adopted shortly after the community was annexed in 2021.
City staff has been collaborating with the developer, Bright Realty, and property owners on amendments to regulations for multifamily units, according to the May 15 agenda item.
What’s happening?
Multifamily units will be allowed on the ground floor in areas where there is little to no visibility or access from public streets or private vehicular routes, and up to 20% of the ground floor of portions of the building that have adequate visibility and access from public streets or private vehicular routes, according to the agenda item.
Live-work units will be allowed for up to 40% of the ground floor in portions of the building that have adequate visibility and access from public streets or private vehicular routes.
The units must have 50% of their exterior frontage consisting of the commercial component, cannot be leased separately, and must have the residential and commercial portions occupied by the same tenant.
The ordinance defines a live-work unit as a single multifamily unit with both residential and commercial or office components occupied by the same tenant. The unit must be the occupant’s primary dwelling.
The big picture
The amendments clarify and provide more flexibility on ground-floor multifamily units. It is only applicable to properties that are within The Realm Subdistrict and zoned General Business 2.
The changes will allow for a balanced mix of residential and commercial uses in an area that is nearly saturated with commercial, according to the agenda item.
Quote of note
“This just makes sense,” Council Member Kristin Green said. “This could be the difference between this development working or not working. I applaud staff for identifying this and bringing this to us so we can make this change and make this project a success.”
