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Commission backs rezoning of 905th Avenue NE parcel to B‑2 to allow a food truck and future commercial use
Summary
The Austin City Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council rezone a vacant lot at 905th Avenue NE from R‑1 to B‑2, allowing commercial retail uses; petitioner Nilesh Kumar Mehta said the food truck will "come and go" and staff noted the council will require a two‑thirds vote for the residential‑to‑commercial change.
The Austin City Planning Commission on Aug. 12 voted to recommend that City Council rezone a vacant parcel at 905th Avenue Northeast from R‑1 (single family) to B‑2 (community business), a change that would also amend the future land‑use designation to commercial retail.
Staff told the commission the property fronts 8th Street Northeast and sits among a mix of single‑family, multifamily and existing commercial uses such as Reeds. Staff said retail uses under 1,500 square feet are currently allowed in R‑1 but that rezoning to B‑2 would permit a broader set of commercial activities and raise lot coverage and height thresholds. "The future land use is proposed to be amended from residential low density to commercial retail," staff said, and recommended rezoning as consistent with neighboring commercial corridors.
Petitioner Nilesh Kumar Mehta, who identified himself as an East Side business owner, said he plans to locate a food truck on the parcel and emphasized community benefits. "My food is cheap, you know, $3 taco," Mehta said. "I want to provide them better service ... money is the last part I worry about." Mehta told commissioners the truck would not be permanent on the site and that he would move it for events and private bookings.
Commissioners discussed lot size and likely future development scale; staff noted the parcel size makes large multistory buildings unlikely but that rezoning would allow small commercial reinvestment. One commissioner emphasized that council action on a residential‑to‑commercial rezoning requires a two‑thirds vote at council (five votes), higher than a simple majority.
Commissioner Swenson moved to recommend rezoning the parcel from R‑1 to B‑2; Commissioner Duffy seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote. The recommendation will go to City Council for final action at its next meeting; staff said the applicant does not need to attend the council hearing but will be notified of the outcome.
The commission also heard that the parcel is currently vacant and that staff received one inquiry from a nearby neighbor outside the formal notice area who had no objections; no formal opposition was recorded before the commission vote.
