After more than two hours of resident comment, Round Rock's planning and zoning commission tabled its decision on rezoning parts of the city's downtown area at its May 15 meeting.
City staff presented the commission with a plan to zone the area into Mixed Use 1, Mixed Use 2 and Mixed Use Limited categories. MU-1 would focus on commercial usage, especially retail, restaurant and entertainment with residential and office uses on upper floors, while MU-2 would allow for complimentary residential and commercial uses in the same building, such as a bed and breakfast usage. MU-L calls for limited commercial development and is focused on keeping development in the area looking like single family homes.
Following the presentation, residents voiced concerns over issues such as Spanish speaking residents being uninformed about the rezoning and a general lack of information about the rezoning. Other concerns included higher property tax rates, increased traffic and the toll rezoning would take on older area residents.
After hearing from residents, the commission tabled its decision until its next meeting June 5. Before then, planning and zoning asked that city staff hold a meeting with local residents to address concerns. Commission members also voiced the desire to learn more about the rezoning ordinances before a final vote.