As many as 10 new bar or restaurant developments are planned for the Rainey Street area as it continues to flourish into one of Austin's hot spots.

Houston entrepreneur Bridget Dunlap started the Rainey Street trend in 2005 after revamping a bungalow home into Lustre Pearl. She has opened three more bars and has another project, Container Bar, that is set to open soon.

Dunlap said the onslaught of new bars is positive for the district.

"It means more foot traffic on the street, and the city is making money off of it," she said.

As of Jan. 16, the city was working with several permit filers seeking to build on Rainey Street, including the soon-to-come Black Heart Bar and Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden.

Michael Klein, president of the Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance, said the rapid increase in site plans is most likely due to the City Council's recent consideration to rezone the neighborhood into a conditional-use district. Although it did not pass, more residents may be selling their property before such zoning can occur, Klein said.

The neighborhood's transformation has received some criticism since the development began, and residents have targeted parking and sound issues.

Dunlap said the complaints were a part of the area's growing pains and that many people who had problems at the beginning are realizing the redevelopment has been positive.

"Those who had concerns and complaints seem to be starting to get it or have moved away," she said.