AUSTIN, Texas — Austin leaders signed off on a new proposed development that will be situated in District 8. It will be a multi-family development that will include affordable housing – and it's a plan neighbors in the area fought against.
The project, which will be known as Sunset Ridge Apartments, is under the city's Affordable Unlocked Development Bonus Program and a Restrictive Covenant Amendment.
Neighbors have argued the project is being illegally rushed, the location where the units are being built are not ideal and that it will leave those who occupy the space left at a disadvantage.
"We are looking into the legality of what they're doing and hoping that we have a valid case against what the city is doing because it does genuinely feel like they are making backdoor decisions," Kristen Jacobs, vice president of the Lantana Homeowners Association, said.
After Thursday's vote, those who spoke before council members noted that the problem wasn't bringing affordable housing to the area, but rather what had been proposed.
"It's against anything of this size, scope and density on this property," Jason Svatek, the president of the Travis County West Homeowners Association, said. "I told them at City Hall that we want to talk about affordable housing within proper regulations of 25% impervious cover."
Last month, District 8 Councilmember Paige Ellis responded to the concerns of residents and stated that it was of "great value" to bring affordable housing to an area where it's limited.
However, neighbors stress that during the public commentary portion of the council meeting, their concerns were not heard.
"Council has completely ignored the valid concerns of the neighbors," Jacobs said.
"I just wish that the city will do more to spread affordable housing into other areas because we're at full capacity," Travis West resident Lidce Schaff added.
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