The Austin Business Journal is reporting that 701 and 711 W 7th Street in downtown Austin are seeking an upzoning to CBD. 701 W 7th is zoned “GR – general retail” and 711 W 7th is zoned “GO – general office”. Both zoning definitions cap building height at 60 feet. The properties are adjacent and if packaged together they would represent a half-block of prime development site.
The upzoning, if granted, would add significant density entitlements. In the short run, upzoning to CBD could make potential operation of a bar much simpler without parking and OMV permit issues facing non-CBD zoned bars/restaurants.
TCAD records show the owner of 701 W 7th as Lowa Ltd, of which Daryl Kunik as a principal. Kunik has helped launch several bar concepts, notably Red Fez, Oslo, and Lucky Lounge.
This is the site of the plan 7 Rio project.
Almost…. 7Rio was (is) planned for the southwest corner of W 7th @ Nueces
Seems like a really tough sell given the current council. This is like the poster child for Laura Morrison’s ilk’s fears.
Just like it was a really tough sell to get a super-majority to vote yes on the up-zoning at the former Filling Station restaurant location on Barton Springs Rd. for the new office building?
If the council voted in favor for that proposal 6 to 1, I have a hard time believing that getting the four necessary votes for this project will be much of a struggle.
Will a small vocal minority scream and holler? I’d be surprised if they didn’t. Will Laura Morrison vote nay? I’d be surprised if she didn’t. But I suspect it will get passed 6-1, or maybe 5-2. There’s no way there’s more than three votes on this council against approval.
No, the Filling Station case was far more obvious since it was between two existing properties of similar or greater height and down a cliff from any houses. There’s more than one or two council members you could expect to be sympathetic to the concerns of single-family homeowners in close proximity in this case.