AUSTIN, Texas — A redevelopment plan could be in the future for a southeast Austin apartment complex.
On. Jan 23, Austin's Planning Commission backed a zoning change for Easton Hills, fulfilling a request by the owners of the property, Flats on Burton LLC.
The intent of the redevelopment is to transform the site into a vertical mixed-use project, which would include up to 385 multifamily units and 9,000 square feet of office and retail use, according to the Planning Commission.
City officials explained that this could range anywhere from a total demolition to developers simply adding to the current structure.
Easton Hills, which is situated on Burton Drive, was first built in 1972 and has 134 multifamily residences.
It's a place Raymond Rodriguez has called home for about a decade. He said he has been mentally preparing for the change for some time.
"I just knew that it would just be a matter of time before they would either A, raise the rent here, or just do away with the whole complex," Martinez said.
Martinez noted that while he hasn't received word of any word of the potential changes, he hopes when it comes to any relocation that certain factors are considered.
For Olivia Hindmarsh, who has been at the complex for more than a year, she said the redevelopment could be beneficial in terms of a safer space due to crime in the area.
"I think it might be beneficial for future tenants of this area to have like a newer property to live in that will be like safer," Hindmarsh said.
However, another stress factor for Hindmarsh is the chance of getting priced out.
"I feel like that kind of is a problem for this area is there's been a lot of new builds, but they are like really expensive," Hindmarsh said.
KVUE spoke with the property manager on-site who said tenants received zoning notices roughly four to five months ago. However, we were redirected to a regional property management for an official statement. At the time of this publication, we have not heard back.
According to the City, developers will be required to alert tenants and help them relocate as the project moves forward.
A representative for the owners released a statement that reads:
"The long-term property owner continues to be committed to providing the best quality housing they can to their residents and continue to be a good neighbor. After a second renovation in the last 10 years, the owners of Easton Hills desire to update the property with a Vertical Mixed Use (VMU) project that will bring neighborhood services to this stretch of Burton. Per the City’s requirements of VMU, the project will focus on streetscape improvements and lock in affordable units at 60% of the Median Family Income of Austin’s Metropolitan Statistical Area for 40 years. The owners will continue to work with the City and existing tenants throughout the process and have committed to a robust relocation and first right of return standard that surpasses City requirements."
The next step is for Austin City Council members to sign off on the proposal.
RELATED:
According to a spokesperson for the Planning Commission, council members are set to discuss it on Feb. 29.
KVUE reached out to Councilmember José Velásquez (District 3), who represents the area, but we have not yet heard back.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.