Round Rock Approves Downsized Housing Project Near Downtown

The Round Rock City Council on Thursday unanimously voted to approve an update to lower the scale of a high-density multifamily housing project south of downtown.

The Planned Unit Development No. 139, or Arte PUD, spans 4 acres at S. Mays and E. Logan streets. Initially approved by the council to include up to 19 townhomes and 410 residential units with a parking garage, the amended proposal scales back the project to 350 units and reduces the number of townhomes and duplexes to six. The applicant, W.B. Property Group, proposed the downsize, citing decreased market demand and increased construction costs. It also revised the parking plan, seeking removal of the original 90% structured parking garage requirement to focus on surface parking.

Amid recent flooding in Central Texas, Round Rock residents expressed concerns about the project being built on a floodplain. Brad Dushkin, the city’s director of planning and development services, said that before construction can begin, the applicant is required to conduct a floodplain analysis.

"Their engineer will be required to conduct a floodplain analysis that will help delineate the elevation," Dushkin said. "They have to get that done before they can submit any kind of building permit."

Dushkin also noted that on-site detention of runoff water is also required.

Michael Thane, executive director of utilities and environmental services, said the city is building dams in that area to help with the release of water upstream at Lake Creek, where W.B. Property Group intends to build the housing.

"We do realize the impact of the floodplain," Thane said. "The big project we’re building upstream, Dam 101, is going to help with this."

Since a significant portion of the 4 acres includes some of Lake Creek, W.B. Property Group officials said they may also build a public trail along the creek.

The council also gave initial approval for the rezoning of 2 acres of land at 2760 Gattis School Road from an OF-1 general office zoning district to a PF-1 public facilities low intensity zoning district. The rezoning would allow the applicant, the Gospel Fellowship Austin, to continue to have a church on the property.

Almost any other zoning districts in the city allow for places of worship, however, OF-1 zoning and industrial zoning districts do not allow for such facilities. The requested PF-1 zoning allows for places of worship, parks, public safety facilities, public schools with limitations and public offices.

Additionally, the council gave initial approval for a temporary speed limit reduction from 35 mph to 25 mph from Nash Street to Baghdad Avenue while the city conducts rehabilitation construction on the Immortal Ten Bridge. The project includes the construction of ground anchors to stabilize the retaining walls and the replacement of the roadway approach and sidewalks.

Thane estimates the bridge project to take six to nine months and said he does not anticipate the need for the speed limit reduction during the full duration of that time. The speed limit will also automatically revert to the original 35 mph upon the completion of the project.

A second reading is required for final approval of the temporary construction speed zone.