2700 South Lamar
This is a proposed project encompassing 7 tracts of land, collectively called 2700 South Lamar but individually addressed as 2700, 2706, 2708, 2710, and 2714 South Lamar, part of 2738 South Lamar, and 2803 Skyway Circle. This includes the Gourdough's site, the back parking lot of the former Goodwill site, an upholstery shop, and a four-plex. The applicant is proposing a multi-family residential development with 450-500 units. The project is within the Barton Springs recharge zone. The developer is first seeking a zoning change with greater entitlements.
ZNA Comments Submitted to the City Council [04 Nov 2021] (2.6 MB PDF)
ZNA Comments Submitted to the Planning Commission [14 May 2021] (<1 MB PDF)
Why this case threatens affordable housing in our neighborhood:
- The property owners are requesting rezonings to Multifamily 6, the most intense residential zoning in the City Code, which allows 90-foot heights but does not require any participation in SMART Housing programs or contribution to affordable housing.
- Granting of the rezoning would eliminate any incentive that these owners would have to apply for the City’s affordable housing programs.
- Granting Multifamily 6 rezonings here would encourage investors in other mixed-use and moderate density multifamily properties along South Lamar and across the city to apply for rezoning that would permit 90-foot heights without providing affordable housing or other community benefits.
- A majority of Planning Commissioners voted against the rezonings, but City staff have not recommended any environmental protections, street or drainage improvements, or traffic and parking restrictions in response to the commissioners’ objections.
- The City Council approved the 2700 S. Lamar rezoning on first reading, without even hearing the staff or owner presentations on the project and without any written commitments from the owners. (ZNA was allowed 3 minutes to speak in opposition.)
What you can do:
If you support the consistent, fair, and equitable application of the City’s zoning ordinances and affordable housing programs, please register to speak in opposition at the public hearings shown below (see full instructions), or email your comments to the Mayor and City Council, key staff members, and the case manager today.
Zoning Change Application (Case 2020-182981 ZC; Reference File Name C14-2020-0144)
The applicant submittted an application on 02 Dec 2020 seeking to rezone the 7-tracts of property from GR, GR-V, GR-V-CO, CS-1-V, and MF-3 to MF-6. MF-6 is the highest-density multi-family zoning available and allows a height of 90 feet. The City case manager is Kate Clark (kate.clark@austintexas.gov; 512-974-1237).
Public Hearings
- City Council Hearing (Second & Possibly Third Reading) - November 18, 2021, 2:00 pm
- City Council Hearing (Second Reading) - postponed
- Hearing Backup - Draft Ordinance (1.8 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - Staff Recommendation (<1 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - Staff Report (8.1 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - ZNA Comment Letter (4.3 MB PDF)
- City Council Hearing (First Reading) - Thursday, October 21, 2021, Item 70 (approved 11-0 on consent agenda)
- Video of City Council Hearing [only public comments and consent agenda are applicable] (link)
- Hearing Backup - Staff Recommendation (<1 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - Staff Report (7.5 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - Citizen Comments (<1 MB PDF)
- Hearing Late Backup - Citzen Comments (<1 MB PDF)
- Planning Commission Hearing - Tuesday, June 8, 2021 (motion to approve failed 4-6; no recommendation to council)
- Video of Planning Commission Hearing [click on Item B13] (link)
2:23:00 to 2:24:05 - staff presentation
2:24:05 to 2:30:55 - applicant presentation
2:30:55 to 3:45:35 - other speakers, discussion, and vote - Hearing Backup - Staff Report (8.6 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - Individual Comments (8.4 MB PDF)
- Hearing Backup - ZNA Comments (9.7 MB PDF)
City Case Information
- City of Austin Build+Connect Webpage (link)
- Applicant's Concept Plan [2021-01-20] (PDF)
- Application Case Information [2020-12-01] (PDF)
- TIA Worksheet [2020-10-30] (PDF)
Relevant City Code
