In a push to intensify urban density, the southeast Austin apartment complex Easton Hills is slated for a significant transformation. As reported by the KVUE, the property owner Flats on Burton LLC received Planning Commission support for a zoning reclassification on January 23rd, paving the way to potentially completely overhaul or simply expand upon the existing structures of the complex.
The decades-old complex currently features 134 multifamily units, but this overhaul is to importantly up the ante with a vertical mixed-use project, potentially offering 385 residential units and 9,000 square feet of mixed commercial use, according to plans detailed by the Planning Commission. Constructed in 1972 and seated on roughly five acres, the Easton Hills complex is valued at $12.3 million and sits snug within walking distance to the forthcoming Pleasant Valley light rail station, noted the Austin Business Journal.
Long-time resident Raymond Rodriguez told KVUE about his anticipation of such changes, stating, "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." Olivia Hindmarsh, a more recent tenant, expressed mixed feelings, seeing potential safety benefits in the redevelopment but also recognizing the threat of being priced out amidst the city's surge of costly constructions.
According to the rezoning conditions, the developers might either pay a fee instead of offering affordable housing onsite or provide affordable housing units directly, with the city dictating that a parcel of rental units must cater to those earning below 80% of the median family income. The full scope of the project, including the specific design and height, has yet to be unveiled, but the City Council's approval remains a decisive next step, with discussions set for February 29 as per a Planning Commission spokesperson. Resident relocation concerns have been anticipated, as both news sources have reported that the city will require the developers to properly notify tenants and assist them in relocating as the project progresses.
The stark shift towards denser and mixed-use housing typology in southern Austin aligns with other major undertakings in the city. Private equity and development firms alike are riding the wave of Austin's urban metamorphosis, with proposals of massive unit expansions compared to current housing supplies. Amidst all these imminent changes, the representatives for the owners of Easton Hills assured in a statement a dedication to high-quality housing and neighborhood services, paired with a robust tenant relocation and return policy, going beyond city prerequisites.
