News Summary
The Austin City Council has moved forward with a rezoning proposal for a significant development on East Riverside Drive. The plan includes two high-rise buildings reaching 500 feet, along with office and commercial spaces. Despite concerns from neighboring property owners, support for the project is evident as it aims to fulfill affordable housing needs with a fee-in-lieu program. The council plans to review the case further by March 27.
Austin Advances Rezoning for High-Rise Development on East Riverside Drive
What Happened
The City Council of Austin has advanced the proposal for rezoning a property located at 200 E. Riverside Drive. The rezoning involves changing the zoning from Lake Commercial-Neighborhood Plan (L-NP) to Planned Unit Development-Neighborhood Plan (PUD-NP). This change is necessary for the construction of a significant office and commercial development that will include two high-rise buildings reaching a height of 500 feet.
The council previously approved the first reading of the project in December, and during the recent meeting, attorney Richard Suttle successfully advocated to proceed with the second reading of the proposal, despite an attempt by a neighboring property owner to postpone the vote.
Development Details
The proposed development project is spearheaded by Garwald Company Inc. It encompasses nearly 4 acres of land and aims to construct approximately 1,377,787 square feet of office space along with 29,318 square feet designated for ground floor commercial and retail space. This project marks a substantial addition to the commercial capacity of the area.
The site currently contains a vacant two-story office building, which measures 92,892 square feet and was constructed in 1970. The land is situated along East Riverside Drive, providing direct access for future developments.
Concerns Raised
A neighboring property owner raised concerns regarding a 60-foot-wide private access easement adjacent to the western property line. However, Suttle clarified that his client does not intend to use this access road, which alleviates some worries about potential inconveniences for nearby residents and businesses.
Additionally, the Austin Fire Department and Austin Travis County EMS have specific requirements that the developer must fulfill, necessitating the provision of between 9,000 and 11,000 square feet of unfinished space within the development’s layout.
Official Response
During the City Council meeting, Mayor Kirk Watson motioned to approve the request for zoning changes on the second reading, indicating strong support for the proposed fee-in-lieu program for affordable housing. Suttle expressed frustration regarding the slow progress of the case and emphasized that delays could jeopardize vital aspects of the project, including participation in the affordable housing program.
The developers have offered a fee-in-lieu rate of $9 per square foot, surpassing the current rate of $8 per square foot. This fee is crucial for financing affordable housing initiatives within the community.
Impact on the Community
The ongoing situation surrounding the rezoning proposal and subsequent construction is expected to have a significant impact on the local community. If granted, the development will increase the commercial footprint in the area while also providing much-needed office space. The provisions for affordable housing through the fee-in-lieu program also promise to positively contribute to the growing demand for affordable living options in Austin.
Conversely, potential drawbacks include increased traffic and changes in neighborhood dynamics due to the height and scale of the proposed structures. With the development’s height reaching 500 feet, there are concerns about its visual impact on the surrounding skyline and the infrastructure required to support such an expansion.
What’s Next
The City Council has pledged to bring this case back for further discussion by March 27. During the upcoming meetings, specific considerations regarding the zoning changes, community impact, and compliance with the affordable housing requirements will be scrutinized. The outcome of these deliberations will ultimately shape the future of the East Riverside Drive corridor and its development potential.
The situation remains dynamic, with stakeholders from various sectors closely following the City Council’s actions as they work toward a consensus regarding urban development and community needs.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Austin City Council Advances Mixed-Use Development Plan
Neighbors Oppose Development Near Martin Luther King Jr. Station
Additional Resources
- Austin Monitor: Anderson Square Rezoning
- Wikipedia: Zoning
- Community Impact: East Austin Rezoning Development
- Google Search: Austin Highway Development
- KVUE: Density Bonus Program
- Google Scholar: Urban Planning Density Bonus
- The Daily Texan: J.J. Pickle Rezoning
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- Forbes: Austin Zoning Changes
- Google News: Austin Zoning Housing Impact
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
