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Consider public testimony regarding, and an ordinance amending the Zoning and Development Code, Code of Ordinances (2018 Edition), Section 1-50 - Definitions; Section 2-23 - MF-2 (Multifamily - Medium Density) district; and Section 2-26 - Residential Lot and Building Dimensional Standards to update MF-2 design and development standards. (First Reading)*
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Background:
Due to tight economic conditions for multifamily development, the development community voiced concerns to the city that structured parking requirements for MF-3 (Urban Multifamily) development make construction of new apartments unfeasible. The Zoning & Development Code currently includes the MF-2 (Multifamily - Medium Density) zoning district but the location requirements in the Round Rock 2030 Comprehensive Plan make it virtually impossible to find locations in the city where MF-2 is permitted; therefore, that district is rarely utilized. The strict location requirements for MF-2 (Multifamily - Medium Density) development stemmed from city council’s desire to limit traditional suburban-style walkup apartments characterized by external stairways and surface parking, often with parking in the street yard.
As a result of a recent city council work session discussing these issues, staff was directed to reevaluate the criteria for medium density multifamily in the Round Rock 2030 Comprehensive Plan and to update the MF-2 (Multifamily - Medium Density) zoning district with revised development standards that ensure a higher quality urban-style design so the MF-2 zoning district can be utilized throughout the City by developers who desire a mix of parking options. There is still a desire for the higher density MF-3 (Multifamily - Urban) zoning district to be utilized near employment centers and major transportation and commercial nodes, so that zoning district will be retained for those applications. A related comprehensive plan amendment addressing these concerns is also on this meeting's agenda.
Proposed Revisions to the Development Code:
Definitions (Section 1-50):
- Add a definition for juliet balcony to the Code.
Residential Lot and Building Dimensional Standards chart (Section 2-26):
- Increase the maximum building height from 4 stories to 5 stories.
- Add a required minimum setback from single-family/two-family neighborhoods for 5-story structures to ensure compatibility with adjacent homes.
MF-2 (Multifamily - Medium Density) zoning district (Section 2-23):
- Change the name of the zoning district from Multifamily - Medium Density to Multifamily - Medium Density Urban.
- Allow flexible parking options:
- Structured parking garage, surface parking, carport parking, detached garage parking, and tuck-under garage parking.
- A minimum of 50% of all required parking spaces shall be in a garage or under a carport, with a minimum of 35% to be within garages of any type. The current MF-2 requirement is to provide 50% in a garage or carport, with 25% in a detached or tuck-under garage.
- When utilizing the design standard incentive, garage parking can be further reduced to 40% garaged or covered, with a minimum of 25% to be within garages of any type. The design standard incentive offers a lower garage requirement in exchange for providing higher-quality building materials.
- Limit detached garages and surface parking to be located only in side and rear yards, preventing surface parking lots in front of buildings.
- Add design standards for detached garages to ensure that appearance and materials are comparable in quality and appearance to the primary structures
- Updated the MF-2 requirement to match the higher standards from the MF-3 district including:
- Number of required amenities.
- Requirement for landscaped open space.
- Requirement for special streetscape and landscape features.
- Allow juliet balconies (as opposed to standard balconies with occupiable outdoor space) for units facing single-family/two-family development.
Staff expect that the proposed changes will result in a high quality urban-style MF-2 zoning district that will provide flexibility to the development community since it is no longer limited by location. Additionally, it may reduce the number of Planned Unit Development requests for MF-3 (Multifamily - Urban) development since we anticipate increased demand and eligibility for zoning to the new MF-2 zoning district because of these amendments.
Planning and Zoning Commission:
On July 15, 2026, the Planning and Zoning voted 7-0 in favor of the proposed amendments to the Round Rock Development Code. There were no speakers from the public for this item. Staff recommends approval.