Planning commission recommends rezoning of 600 East North Avenue to multifamily

The Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission on April 2 voted unanimously to recommend that the Bryan City Council approve rezoning case RZ26-07600, changing 600 East North Avenue from Retail District (C-2) to Multiple-Family Residential (MF).

Mikaela Dickinson, a staff planner, told the commission the roughly 1.11-acre property is surrounded by a mix of retail and single-family zoning and is currently occupied by an abandoned single-family home and accessory structure. Dickinson said the city’s future land use guidance for the Texas Avenue corridor supports multifamily development as a buffer between lower-density residential areas and retail uses, and that staff recommends approval of the rezoning application. "Staff believes it's compatible with the surrounding land uses and would serve as an effective transitional use," Dickinson said.

Commissioners asked whether the applicant had submitted a formal site plan; Dickinson said the city had received only a concept sketch and that straight rezonings do not allow the commission to attach conditions, unlike planned developments. Applicant and property owner Danny Hannon described his plan for the site as 12 townhome units to remain under single ownership rather than being sold as condominiums. "Our plan would be to maintain ownership, and they would be townhomes," Hannon said.

Commissioner Clark moved to recommend approval to the Bryan City Council and to adopt the written staff report as the commission’s findings; the motion was seconded and passed with no dissent.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Bryan City Council for consideration; the staff report and the applicant’s materials will be part of that council review. If the council schedules the matter for a public hearing the city will follow its notification procedures for nearby property owners.