Taller buildings coming to North Burnet

Austin’s second downtown may soon see taller buildings. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to allow more height and floor area ratio in the North Burnet Gateway Regulating Plan’s Commercial Mixed-Use (CMU) Gateway Zone Subdistrict, which dictates land use rules for the portion of the Domain around the old IBM campus. Once the change is adopted in code – tentatively around August – buildings in this area will be able to reach 420 feet in height with 12:1 FAR if they participate in the development bonus program. Current entitlements allow up to 308 feet and 8:1 FAR with a density bonus. Developers have shown interest in building taller than allowed in the area, with individual zoning change requests moving through the city’s approval process in recent months – including rezonings to allow multiple towers next to Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium. “(The amendments) will enhance this growing area by supporting transit and walkability,” said Council Member Leslie Pool, who sponsored the item. Pool said she aims to kick off a planning process in June to update the whole North Burnet Gateway Regulating Plan, which was adopted in 2009.