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Planning commission backs Waverly North affordable housing rezoning, preserving historic building
Summary
Commissioners approved a rezoning and plan amendment for 3710 Cedar Street to allow a 76‑unit affordable housing project that keeps the historic Confederate Women’s Home. Neighbors raised concerns about height, parking and impervious cover; staff recommended MF‑4‑H zoning and commissioners approved the staff recommendation.
The Austin Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a plan amendment and rezoning for 3710 Cedar Street (Waverly North), clearing a key step for a proposed 76‑unit affordable housing development that would retain and incorporate a historic building on the site.
Staff recommendation and project: Planning staff recommended a future‑land‑use change from civic to multifamily residential and rezoning to MF‑4‑H (multifamily with historic overlay) and CCD‑NP conditions to allow a compact affordable development and preserve the existing historic landmark structure on the property. Staff said the site is close to high‑frequency CapMetro routes and an Imagine Austin activity corridor, and that the proposed zoning aligns with surrounding multifamily and commercial uses.
Developer proposal and timeline: OSTA Industries, a Texas‑based affordable housing developer, proposed a roughly 1.57‑acre project with an estimated 76 units, preservation of the historic northern structure, and use of Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing alongside historic tax credits. Applicant representative Abby Tatko explained the LIHTC and historic‑credit timelines that require timely zoning and said the team hoped to close funding windows this summer if the rezoning proceeds.
Neighborhood concerns: Neighbors and the North University Neighborhood Association supported affordable housing in principle but urged lower density, more pedestrian connections and protections for existing neighborhood character. Concerns raised during public comment included the project’s requested 70% impervious cover, potential building height and massing, loss of street parking in a tight neighborhood, and an inward‑facing site plan that neighbors said would reduce street activation.
Project design responses: The applicant said it had modified the plan in response to neighborhood feedback, moved an entrance away from a living‑streets corridor, and proposed a podium design to allow on‑site parking (the team said the proposal included approximately 77 parking spaces) while keeping the historic building and matching setbacks on Cedar Street. The applicant also committed to further design review through the Historic Landmark Commission and federal/state historic tax‑credit processes.
Outcome: Commissioner Woods moved to approve the staff recommendation; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners said they appreciated the preservation component, the site’s transit access and the project’s potential to produce affordable units in District 9. Commissioners asked the applicant to continue design coordination with the neighborhood as the project advances through historic and permitting reviews.
What to watch next: The applicant said it must meet state and federal historic‑tax credit timelines and pursue National Park Service and Texas Historic Commission review for historic designation; the project team said construction would follow permitting and financing approvals and that they expected to begin construction next year if funding is secured.
