David Chapel Church Multifamily Rezoning on Springdale Road
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C14-2026-0052 - Springdale Road and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Multifamily Zoning - Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known as 4601, 4613, and 4615 Springdale Road and 5016 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Fort Branch Watershed). Applicant Request: To rezone from townhouse and condominium residence-neighborhood plan (SF-6-NP) combining district zoning to multifamily residence moderate-high density-neighborhood plan (MF-4-NP) combining district zoning. Staff Recommendation and Planning Commission Recommendation: To grant multifamily residence moderate-high density-neighborhood plan (MF-4-NP) combining district zoning. Owner/Applicant: David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Austin, Texas, an unincorporated association. Agent: DuBois, Bryant & Campbell, LLP (David Hartman). City Staff: Jonathan Tomko, AICP, Austin Planning, 512-974-1057.
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Actions
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Verify church association's signing authority for multifamily rezoning application
Why now: The item lists the owner and applicant as David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Austin, Texas, an unincorporated association, with agent DuBois, Bryant & Campbell, LLP (David Hartman) and case manager Jonathan Tomko, AICP, 512-974-1057.
What to do: Request the applicant's authorizing resolution and any agent authorization letter from the case file, since the owner is described as an unincorporated association rather than a corporation — ask city staff whether the filed signature block satisfies application requirements and who would execute any restrictive covenant or conditional overlay if Council adds one. Also ask whether a companion neighborhood plan amendment case exists, because the district sought retains the neighborhood plan combining designation.
Act before: After the requested records are produced
Compare apartment yield under new multifamily zoning on Springdale Road
Why now: The agenda item identifies a four-address assemblage in the Fort Branch Watershed proposed to move from townhouse and condominium residence-neighborhood plan to multifamily residence moderate-high density-neighborhood plan, with staff and Planning Commission both recommending the grant (C14-2026-0052, hearing set for September 24, 2026).
What to do: Pull the staff backup for the four tracts at 4601, 4613 and 4615 Springdale Road and 5016 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and run unit-count and height scenarios under moderate-high density multifamily versus the existing townhouse and condominium district, then overlay Fort Branch Watershed drainage and impervious cover limits before the hearing. Watershed constraints, not the zoning category, are what usually cap deliverable units on assembled church land here.
Act before: After the September 24, 2026 City Council public hearing
Ask who is actually developing the church's Springdale Road apartments
Why now: The agenda entry lists David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Austin, Texas, an unincorporated association, as both owner and applicant, represented by DuBois, Bryant & Campbell, LLP (David Hartman), with staff and Planning Commission recommending an unconditioned grant.
What to do: Ask the church and its land use firm whether a contract purchaser, ground lessee, or housing partner is behind this application, and whether any affordability commitment attaches — the record names only the congregation as owner and applicant while a downtown land use firm carries the case. Also ask staff why the recommendation carries no conditional overlay despite a four-tract upzoning at a major intersection.
Act before: After the requested records are produced
Ask staff what apartment height Springdale rezoning would allow
Why now: The September 24, 2026 item proposes rezoning 4601, 4613 and 4615 Springdale Road and 5016 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from townhouse and condominium residence to multifamily residence moderate-high density, with staff contact Jonathan Tomko, AICP, 512-974-1057 listed.
What to do: Call case manager Jonathan Tomko at 512-974-1057 before the September 24 hearing and ask for the maximum height, units per acre, and driveway locations permitted under moderate-high density multifamily on these four tracts, and whether any conditional overlay limiting traffic access to Springdale Road is being recommended. The posted recommendation lists no such conditions, so restrictions must be requested at the hearing rather than added later.
Act before: After the September 24, 2026 City Council public hearing
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C14-2026-0052 - Springdale Road and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Multifamily Zoning - Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known as 4601, 4613, and 4615 Springdale Road and 5016 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Fort Branch Watershed). Applicant Request: To rezone from townhouse and condominium residence-neighborhood plan (SF-6-NP) combining district zoning to multifamily residence moderate-high density-neighborhood plan (MF-4-NP) combining district zoning. Staff Recommendation and Planning Commission Recommendation: To grant multifamily residence moderate-high density-neighborhood plan (MF-4-NP) combining district zoning. Owner/Applicant: David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Austin, Texas, an unincorporated association. Agent: DuBois, Bryant & Campbell, LLP (David Hartman). City Staff: Jonathan Tomko, AICP, Austin Planning, 512-974-1057.