College Station planning and zoning commission tackles middle housing access
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The City of College Station took a closer look at expanding middle housing at a planning and zoning (P&Z) commission meeting Thursday.
Middle housing is what falls between large apartment complexes and single family homes. Duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses are considered to be middle housing.
The commission recommended city council to approve rezoning requests in two areas. One is located along Park Place and Boardwalk Court. The other is located along Turner Street.
City officials said rezoning this land could help alleviate pressure caused by the city’s rapid growth, while also creating more affordable housing options.
Both areas are currently zoned as General Suburban (GS), but could be rezoned to middle housing with a High Occupancy Overlay (HOO) if the council approves the request.
The areas are close to Texas A&M University, and much of the surrounding development is already zoned for higher density occupancy.
“You have this semblance of being around the university and the student housing. At the same time, you have single family and multifamily,” P&Z commission member Bobby Mirza explained.
The land along Park Place could receive an additional designation of Natural Areas Protected.
“For the full floodplain area along the back portion of a few properties,” said senior planner Jeff Howell of the areas.
This would allow for nature conservation, and means the area isn’t likely to undergo intensive development in the future.
“A certain part of development is also dedicated to the greens, and we’re trying to maintain some semblance of environmental at the same time,” Mirza added.
The city chose these areas after surveying the land and holding public feedback sessions earlier this year.
City council is expected to make a final decision on the rezoning request at the September 12 meeting.
