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Mixed-use developments could be built on the former 3M manufacturing plant in North Austin, following Austin City Council’s approval of a rezoning request for the site July 24.
The details
The request added a Planned Development Area overlay to the site’s existing Limited Industrial zoning.
LI zoning allows for industrial uses such as manufacturing and warehouse activities. The added PDA overlay will allow for more mixed-use development with increased building heights and densities.
Per agenda documents, some of the allowed uses on the 57.21-acre site could include:
Some background
The 3M campus closed in 2019, and city officials and developers have been working for several years to rezone the property.
Per agenda documents, the applicant originally planned to redevelop the property as a commercial office park with about 1.5 million square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet of retail.
The applicant later requested the PDA overlay due to “market changes,” now allowing for the construction of about 1,200 multifamily units and 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant uses.
Austin Zoning and Platting Commission approved the LI-PDA rezoning recommendation June 3.
What they’re saying
In an email to the city dated April 17, Angus Valley resident Carlos Madriz expressed concerns about the rezoning, citing driving and walking safety, as well as the impact of additional lighting and noise on the environment.
In an email dated May 30, Angus Valley Area Neighborhood Association President Stacey Peterson expressed support for the rezoning.
“After some honest and productive conversations with the developer, we were able to reach an agreement that reflects real give-and-take,” Peterson said. “The signed Memorandum of Understanding outlines compromises that matter to us, such as improved buffer zones, fencing and other site considerations that will help protect the character of the surrounding neighborhood.”
The MOU includes language that the developer will provide timely notice to AVANA of any development applications submitted to the city, and that a 15-foot residential buffer will be established along some of the property lines to preserve native trees, shrubbery and grasses.
In other news
City Council further delayed the rezoning of the former Apple Campus site off Riata Vista Circle during the July 24 meeting.
The zoning and platting commission approved a recommendation to rezone the site in April, and it was set to go to council for approval May 22, as previously reported by Community Impact.
District 6 council member Krista Laine requested that the rezoning be postponed during the May and July council meetings. It is now set to go before council again Aug. 28.
The 28.85-acre site includes four two-story buildings currently zoned as LI. The request would change the zoning to LI-PDA, similar to the 3M rezoning.
If the rezone request is approved, the development could allow for multifamily units, condominiums, duplexes and townhomes, 10% of which are proposed to be reserved at 80% median family income or less.
Other uses could include public or private primary and secondary education facilities, a convention center and community club or lodge, a cocktail lounge, outdoor entertainment space and more.
