Plans for "Second Downtown" Inch Forward
Oct 19, 2007 - The Austin Business Journal City Council preliminarily approved phase 1 of the North Burnet/Gateway master landuse plan, which will create a so-called second downtown in the area around the Domain luxury shopping center by 2035.
Final approval by City Council for Phase 1 is expected on Nov. 1.
The North Burnet/Gateway plan's vision is to ultimately create clusters of dense, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods in the 2,300-acre area north of U.S. 183 bounded by Walnut Creek, Metric Boulevard, Braker Lane and MoPac Expressway.
The final plan will allow developers to build denser than anywhere outside of downtown and as high as 15 stories or 180 feet, and up to 30 stories or 360 feet in areas closest to planned commuter rail stops.
Phase 1 immediately designates a zoning overlay district in the area to allow vertical mixed uses and other urban design elements, and to preclude interim development not in concert with the plan.
A draft plan of Phase 2--outlining ordinances implementing the plan--is expected in six months, says Molly Scarbrough, a city senior planner. Final approval for the entire plan is expected in a year.
A great area to owner occupy in with some of the best schools on the north side of Austin. After seeing the impressive inside, the buyer was ready to pull the trigger. The outside could use a little touch up, but for the location and the massive corner lot, we would rather our buyers take advantage of the moment than lose it to someone else.
City Council preliminarily approved phase 1 of the North Burnet/Gateway master landuse plan, which will create a so-called second downtown in the area around the Domain luxury shopping center by 2035.