Planning and Zoning Commission in College Station Addresses Middle Housing Access Issue
Rezoning Requests to Tackle Housing Shortage
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – In a recent Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission meeting, the City of College Station addressed the need to expand middle housing access, which comprises various forms of residences such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses wedged between large apartment complexes and single family homes.
The Commission endorsed city council to affirm rezoning request in two areas – Park Place and Boardwalk Court, and Turner Street. According to city authorities, this land rezoning could mitigate the pressure stemming from the city’s rapid growth as well as engender higher affordable housing options.
Adapting to High Occupancy Overlay
Presently, both the areas are zoned as General Suburban (GS), but might be rezoned as middle housing with a High Occupancy Overlay (HOO) if the council accepts the application. Being proximal to Texas A&M University, much of the surrounding development is already zoned for higher density.
Commenting upon this, P&Z commission member Bobby Mirza stated, “You have this semblance of being around the university and the student housing. At the same time, you have single family and multifamily.”
Protection for Natural Areas Proposed
The land along Park Place could receive an additional distinction of Natural Areas Protected, as per senior planner Jeff Howell. The idea behind this is to allocate part of the development to greenery and to maintain the area’s environmental integrity, explained Mirza.
The city zeroed in on these areas after conducting land surveys and organizing public feedback sessions earlier this year. The city council aims to make a final decision regarding the rezoning request in the upcoming meeting scheduled for September 12.
Committed to Affordable Housing
This step undertaken by the Planning and Zoning Commission shows the city’s commitment to addressing its rapid growth in a calculated and strategic manner. If approved, these zoning changes could provide essential relief to the housing market and aid in increasing property values.
The decision would also indicate the city’s dedication to preserving the environmental integrity while developing the land, making sure that the city remains sustainable as it continues to grow.
This move has been touted as a potential step forward in creating a more inclusive, affordable and environmentally conscious city.
For more updates on the progress of this rezoning request and the status of middle housing in College Station, stay tuned.
