The Austin Planning Commission approved an applicant request to rezone a 2.89‑acre undeveloped tract on Saxon Lane from single‑family (SF‑6‑NP) to low‑density multifamily (MF‑2‑NP), overturning staff’s recommendation for denial.

The vote followed presentations from city planning staff and the applicant, public comment, and questions from multiple commissioners. Mark Walters of the Planning Department said staff opposed changing the future land‑use designation and rezoning because of the site’s history and lack of improved infrastructure. Cynthia Hadry of the Planning Department said Saxon Lane is a level‑1 dead‑end street and staff had traffic‑capacity concerns.

Victoria Hossy of Thoroughbred Design, representing the landowner, told the commission the property is 2.89 acres, has frontage on both Saxon Lane and El Mirando Street and is about a quarter‑mile from an existing Capital Metro stop. She said the owner originally rezoned the site to SF‑6 in 2020 and filed a site plan but later abandoned that plan because changing market conditions made the SF‑6 project infeasible. Hossy said the owner is now seeking MF‑2 to allow a development type that could support economy of scale and “include some income‑restricted units.”

Commissioners questioned whether any affordability commitments were in hand. Hossy said the details remain under negotiation but that the owner was “committed” to include income‑restricted units and that the likely baseline would be “at least 10% of the units at 80% MFI,” while acknowledging the percentages and income levels had not been finalized.

Commissioners also asked about traffic and access. Staff pointed out that the applicant’s TIA (traffic analysis) only provided tube counts for Saxon Lane and that an assumed single‑street access produced a vehicles‑per‑day computation above staff thresholds; staff did not provide counts for El Mirando. The applicant said dual access or pedestrian access to El Mirando remained possible and that a final site‑plan review would address curb cuts and exact access locations.

After public comment and questions, Commissioner Maxwell moved to approve the applicant’s request; Commissioner Anderson seconded. The commission approved the applicant request. The recorded tally was 10 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions; commissioners identified in the record as abstaining were Barrera Ramirez and Haynes.

Why it matters: rezoning the parcel to MF‑2 would allow a low‑density multifamily form near existing transit and could increase housing capacity on a site that has remained undeveloped since its 2020 rezoning. Staff emphasized existing infrastructure and neighborhood‑street capacity concerns; the applicant emphasized feasibility and the potential to provide income‑restricted homes.

What happens next: the case moves to City Council for final action. The applicant said details about unit mix, affordability levels and access will be developed and presented before final council approval.