Community weighs in
Round Rock’s Planning & Zoning Commission hosted a public hearing on Sept. 3 to gather input on proposed changes to the city’s downtown zoning rules. The amendments would expand downtown boundaries, allow for taller buildings along key corridors, and open the door to more dining, retail, and entertainment options.
Planning Director Brad Dushkin said the updates are meant to encourage growth and bring greater variety to the city’s core.
What’s included in the proposal
If adopted, certain parts of downtown would shift to a mixed-use medium density district, permitting buildings between two and a half and 12 stories. Other parcels now zoned for single-family use would transition to a mixed-use limited district, designed to balance limited commercial activity with the area’s residential character.
Additionally, open space zoning would be applied around the Town Green project, which will redevelop the square near the historic water tower with new seating, turf lawns, food truck areas, and upgrades to the Johnson building.
Residents raise concerns
While city staff emphasized maintaining downtown’s character, residents and business owners expressed unease.
Judy Anderson, president of Preservation Round Rock, warned that taller buildings could overwhelm downtown’s historic scale and erode its small-town charm.
Brent Campbell, a commercial real estate agent and downtown property owner, cited challenges with water retention and limited parking. He noted he lost a tenant last year due to parking shortages.
Traffic and infrastructure capacity were also recurring worries. Dushkin pointed to the city’s impact fee programs, which require developers to fund road, water, and wastewater improvements tied to their projects.
Next steps
The commission voted to approve the amendments as presented. The proposal will now move to City Council for consideration at an upcoming meeting.
