Commission recommends approval for 7‑story student housing plan at 600 Woodson Drive

The Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 6 to recommend approval of rezoning case RZ26‑15, an amendment to the plan‑development for 600 Woodson Drive that would permit an apartment building up to seven stories and 70 feet tall.

Katie Williams, a senior planner for the city, told commissioners the requested changes would raise the unit count from 66 to 187 and allow a parking garage within the building. "The unit count is increasing from 66 units to 187," Williams said, and staff recommended approval given the property’s location within the North‑of‑Northgate district of the Midtown area plan. Williams said the revised PD includes larger setbacks on the rear and side to transition to neighboring properties and caps building height at 70 feet while aligning other standards with Midtown high‑density guidelines.

Commissioners pressed staff on parking and traffic. Williams said the proposal raises the parking ratio from 0.75 to 1.0 spaces per bedroom, and that a traffic impact analysis (TIA) will be required with the site plan: the TIA will identify any mitigation if nearby levels of service would fall. The applicant clarified building configuration and use: "It's one story underground, six stories above ground," the applicant said, and described the project as a boutique student‑living product intended to be quieter and smaller than large complexes nearby.

The commission moved and seconded a motion to recommend the rezoning to the City Council and adopted the written staff report as findings. The ayes were unanimous. Next steps: the City Council will consider the rezoning; if approved, site‑plan review (including the TIA and detailed landscape and parking plans) will follow.