Zoning Cases:

1306 West Lynn (St Luke United Methodist Church): – C14-2025-0109
APPLICANT: Graham Brown Consulting LLC (Graham Brown)
OWNER: Rio Texas Conference United Methodist Church
Proposal: The applicant is proposing to rezone approximately 33,100 square feet tract from MF-3-NP to LR-MU-CO. The intention is to preserve and adaptively reuse the existing church structure on the front parcel with a community-oriented retail user.

“We are excited to share that a private developer group comprised of 78703 residents has the former church property at 1306 West Lynn under contract. The group is advancing a plan to preserve the historic buildings and transform the site into a community-centric adaptive reuse project.

The concept includes a neighborhood bookstore with a café offering coffee, light fare, and beer & wine — creating a warm and welcoming gathering place for Clarksville residents. The team is also in early conversations with prospective partners in the creative sector, including art galleries and small creative office users. The aim is to establish a true community living room for 78703.

The group anticipates completing the rezoning process in Q1 2026, with a target of opening the project before the end of 2026. The rear portion of the property, already zoned for residential use, will be marketed separately for future residential development.

All will be announced in due course, please reach out to Graham@gbc-projects.com for additional information.” ~ Graham Brown

Graham will be presenting his proposal at the OWANA General meeting on December 2.

Status:On going.

W 6th & N Lamar (NW Corner): – C14-2024-0179
APPLICANT: Armbrust and Brown PLLC, Richard T. Suttle
OWNER: 600 North Lamar, Ltd. & 603 and 605 Baylor, Ltd.
Proposal: Request to rezone 600 N Lamar from CS-MU-CO-NP & CS-MU-V-CO-NP to eTOD-DBETOD-NP.

On September 11, City Council approved the rezoning on all three readings. OWANA supported the case only after securing a finalized Restrictive Covenant containing the following neighborhood protections.

Neighborhood Update: What the New Restrictive Covenant Secures for Old West Austin

We’re excited to share an overview of the protections and community benefits that are now formally guaranteed through the Restrictive Covenant (RC) for the 6th & Lamar/Baylor project.
These commitments are binding on all future owners and ensure the development remains compatible with the neighborhood.

Key Highlights

Building Height & Scale

• Strong height limits across the site, with the tallest portions located farthest from homes.
• Significant upper-story stepbacks on Baylor Street to reduce massing.
• Height automatically drops to 60 feet if any RC requirement is violated.

Pedestrian, Bike & Streetscape Improvements

• Lamar Blvd: 11-ft sidewalk + 8-ft continuous landscaped buffer.
• W. 6th St.: Wider sidewalks, street trees, and a protected bike lane.
• Baylor St.: Continuous landscaped buffer (no breaks, no curb activity) + new sidewalk.

These improvements create safer walking and biking conditions and add shade and greenery along all three frontages.

Traffic & Parking Protections

• At least 95% of all parking must be underground.
• No parking entrances, valet, or drop-off zones allowed on Baylor Street.
• Any drop-off activity must occur inside the garage, keeping the neighborhood streets calmer and safer.

Noise & Hours-of-Operation Limits

• No outdoor amplified sound or percussion instruments allowed anywhere on site.
• Outdoor restaurant music must be ambient only and kept within City noise limits.
• No outdoor live music after 11 p.m.
• Restaurants must close by 11 p.m. Sun–Wed and midnight Thu–Sat.

No Bars or Cocktail Lounges

• Bars, taverns, and cocktail lounges are not permitted.
• Alcohol is allowed only as part of a traditional restaurant use.

Short-Term Rental (STR) Restrictions

• STRs limited to 10% of all residential units.
• Must hold valid City permits.
• Neighborhood association (OWANA) may request one audit per year.

Utilities & Design

• Existing powerlines along Baylor and the north alley will be buried
• Building design must consider and complement Old West Austin’s architectural character.

Why This Matters

The RC ensures:

• Predictable building heights

• Quieter surroundings

• Safer sidewalks and bike routes

• Reduced neighborhood cut-through traffic

• No bar-focused nightlife

• Long-term design compatibility

• Real accountability for future owners

In addition, a Restrictive Covenant for 624 N Lamar (adjacent to 600 N Lamar – Kick Pleat) was finalized as part of OWANA’s support for the rezoning of 600 Lamar.

The RC limits any future rezoning to a building height of 60 feet tall, except where the City’s height-exception rules might allow minor additional height. The covenant applies only if the project is actually built at 600 N Lamar. If the project doesn’t break ground by December 31, 2031, the agreement simply expires.

These protections reflect a couple of years of neighborhood input and are now permanently in place.

Status:Closed.

W 6th & Walsh (the east side of Walsh between W 6th & W 5th) – C14-2025-0043
APPLICANT: Manifold
OWNER: Stefanie and Stephen Griffith
Proposal: Request to rezone approximately 1.195 acres from CS-MU-CO-NP and CS-MU-V-CO-NP to LI-PDA-NP. The applicant is proposing a multifamily rental development that includes on-site affordable housing, as well as 18-foot sidewalks and landscaped areas along W 6th and Walsh Streets. In consideration of compatibility with the Harthan and Castle Hill Local Historic Districts located on the north side of W 6th Street, the Zoning Committee is requesting a maximum building height of 60 feet along West 6th Street. The building massing would then step back to 90 feet and ultimately to 120 feet as it transitions toward West 5th Street.

On July 24, City Council approved the rezoning on all three readings. OWANA supported the case only after securing a finalized Restrictive Covenant containing the following neighborhood protections.

We’re excited to share an overview of the protections and community benefits that are now formally guaranteed through the Restrictive Covenant (RC) for the 6th & Walsh project.

These commitments are binding on all future owners and ensure the development remains compatible with the neighborhood.

6th & Walsh: What the Restrictive Covenant Means for Our Neighborhood

The new Restrictive Covenant (RC) for 6th & Walsh outlines rules for building, design, streetscape, and operations. These measures ensure that the project respects the neighborhood, provides public benefits, and maintains the character of Old West Austin.

Building Height & Stepbacks

• Buildings are capped at 60 feet, unless they include at least 20% residential for rent (up to 90 feet) or 70% residential for rent (up to 120 feet).

• Portions of buildings above certain heights must step back from West 6th Street and Walsh Street to reduce bulk and maintain street-level character.

• Height measurements include allowances for roof equipment and rooftop structures per city code.

Why This Matters: These limits keep the scale of the building compatible with surrounding historic homes and prevent oversized structures from dominating the streetscape.

Pedestrian & Streetscape Requirements

• Ground-level uses: At least 75% of building façades along West 6th and Walsh must be pedestrian-friendly (shops, cafes, or other active uses).

• Sidewalks & planting zones: 8-foot planting zones plus 8-foot clear zones on West 6th and Walsh for trees, landscaping, and safe walking space.

• Trees & furnishings: Street trees planted every 30 feet, and nine bike racks installed along Walsh Street.

• Drop-off zones: Limited to two small, regulated zones to minimize traffic impacts.

Why This Matters: Ensures walkable, shaded, and safe streets while keeping traffic and curb activity under control.

Parking & Traffic

• All parking below ground, except for ADA or city-right-of-way spaces.

• Primary garage access on Walsh Street, with an additional access point for back of house services on Sayers Street.

• Minimizes surface parking and congestion on neighborhood streets.

Residential & Affordable Housing

• Affordable units: Either 10% of units at 50% MFI or 12% at 60% MFI.

• Maintained for 40 years, with annual audits possible.

• Visitor units: Up to 10 for residents’ guests only—cannot be rented short-term.

• Short-term rentals: Strictly prohibited throughout the property.

Why This Matters: Protects long-term affordability and ensures the neighborhood remains residential-focused, not a transient hotel environment.

Design & Sustainability

• Building façades primarily brick or masonry; glass walls limited to 30%.

• Residential buildings meet minimum green-building standards.

• Bird-friendly design for taller buildings to protect wildlife.

Why This Matters: Preserves the historic aesthetic of the neighborhood while supporting sustainable, wildlife-conscious design.

Noise & Operating Hours

• No outdoor amplified or percussion music.

• Mechanical equipment noise limited to 70 decibels at street level.

• Restaurants: Closed 11 PM–7 AM (Sun–Wed) and midnight–7 AM (Thu–Sat).

• Cocktail lounges prohibited.

Utilities, Hiring & Construction

• Developer will bury utility lines along West 6th and Walsh where feasible.

• Prioritizes local contractors and workers.

• Construction hours limited to City-approved noise ordinance times.

Transit & Multimodal Support

• Indoor bicycle storage for residents and employees.

• Developer to explore transit-supportive benefits, such as discounted Cap Metro passes or car-share memberships.

Neighborhood Contributions

• $25,000 toward a neighborhood enhancement project (e.g., public art or park improvements).

• Contributions made prior to groundbreaking or, for public art, before final occupancy.

In Summary

The Restrictive Covenant ensures 6th & Walsh:

• Matches neighborhood scale and character

• Improves pedestrian, bike, and streetscape safety

• Provides long-term affordable housing

• Limits noise, nightlife, and short-term rentals

• Promotes sustainable, bird-friendly, and aesthetically compatible design

• Contributes to public spaces and neighborhood improvements

These protections are permanent and legally binding, ensuring that development benefits the community and preserves the unique character of OWANA.

Status:Closed.

🎉 Shout-Out to Missy Apodaca! 🎉A huge thank-you to our neighbor Missy Apodaca for her generous gift to the OWANA Zoning Fund! Your support helps us protect the charm, character, and historic beauty of our neighborhood.

With new development proposals coming in fast, every contribution makes a real difference. Want to join the effort? A gift to the Zoning Committee Fund helps guide thoughtful, neighborhood-friendly growth while keeping OWANA feeling like home.

💛 Thank you for helping our community stay vibrant, connected, and full of character.

To make a donation, go to:https://www.owana.org/support/#!form/Donation

Click on Add under “ZONING SUPPORT FUND”.
Please reference: OWANA Zoning Committee Fund.

Donations and participation are essential if we are to be successful in representing you and your part of the neighborhood in more complicated zoning cases.

These events would not be possible without our sponsors. THANK YOU!

• Astound Powered by Grande,
• C3 Events
• Clark’s Oyster Bar
• Griffith Properties
• Jeffrey’s
• Swedish Hill
• Zydeco Development
• and a neighbor, Mark Smith.

G O L D M E M B E R S

https://www.astound.com/texas/

Zydeco Development

1204 W. Lynn St
https://jeffreysofaustin.com/

1200 W. 6th St
https://www.clarksoysterbar.com/

1128 W. 6th St
https://www.swedishhillaustin.com/

S I L V E R M E M B E R S

1112 North Lamar Blvd
https://www.castlehillfitness.com/

1605 West Avenue
https://ashbycollective.com/

1200 B. W. 6th St
https://pecansquarecafe.com/

1130 W. 6th St
https://www.rosiesaustin.com/

1130 W. 6th St
https://howardsaustin.com/

Dr. Georgeanne Freeman
1611 W. 5th St
https://www.freemanmedicalclinic.com/

1213 W. Lynn
https://www.cipollina-austin.com/

B R O N Z E M E M B E R S

606 Highland Ave
ndjda.com/

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FLOWER HILL CENTER
1316 W. 6th St
https://www.flowerhillcenter.org/
Instagram @flowerhillcenter, Facebook FlowerHillCenter

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WILDGINS
Single Origin Gin from Native Texas Junipers
https://wildgins.com/
Instagram @wildginstx, Facebook Wildgins

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WALLY WORKMAN GALLERY
1202 W. 6th St
https://www.wallyworkmangallery.com/