Title
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)*
Body
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 a...
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