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Consider public testimony regarding, and an ordinance rezoning 8.51 acres located northwest of the intersection of Sam Bass Road and Meadows Drive from the PF-2 (Public Facilities - Medium Intensity) zoning district to the MF-1 (Multifamily - Low Density) zoning district. (First Reading)*
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Proposal: The applicant, Andres Mendoza, is requesting to rezone 8.51 acres from PF-2 (Public Facilities - Medium Intensity) to MF-1 (Multifamily - Low Density) for a low density multifamily apartment project, with approximately 119 units. This vacant property was previously owned by Freedom Church, but has since been sold to a residential developer.
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning: The FLUM (Future Land Use Map) of the Round Rock 2030 Comprehensive Plan designates this site as Residential. The property is currently zoned PF-2 (Public Facilities - Medium Intensity). The Comprehensive Plan designation of residential supports low density multi-family development with the following location criteria which this site meets:
• Primary access is allowed via arterial roadway or collector street; and
• Direct access to abutting single-family neighborhoods is discouraged unless integrated as part of a master planned community or as required to implement transportation network policy objectives; and
• Low density multifamily developments shall not be located immediately adjacent to other low density multifamily developments; they must be separated by open space such as parkland or natural features.
Traffic, Access and Roads: The site has frontage on Sam Bass Road. A turn lane analysis will need to be completed during the site development phase. This may trigger a right turn deceleration lane and/or a left turn lane that would impact the site development and platting. A Traffic Impact Analysis is not required for this development, and roadway Impact fees will be collected at the time of building permit application.
MF-1 District: This district allows for a density of 12 units per acre, in either apartments, townhouses or multifamily houses. No more than 120 dwelling units shall be permitted in any single apartment complex. No more than 12 dwelling units shall be permitted in any single residential structure. The district allows for an increase in the maximum of 12 units per acre to 14 units per acre with a design standard incentive which the applicant intends to utilize. The maximum height of a principal building is 2.5 stories.
At its June 21, 2023 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning from PF-2 to MF-1 with a vote of 8:1. Vice Chair J. Hollis Bone voted no because he had concerns that the increased density resulting from the proposed zoning would not be a good fit for this particular location. There were 3 public speakers. Speakers expressed concern about traffic, the degradation of Brushy Creek, crime, and the addition of apartments in close proximity to their single family neighborhood (The Oaklands).