Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing – October 21, 2025

This meeting served as a detailed review of items slated for the October 23 City Council meeting, covering infrastructure projects, utility rate cases, downtown zoning amendments, and an economic development update. Council members engaged in extensive discussion on proposed code changes, expressing preliminary positions on key issues such as building heights, single-family homes, and bar caps.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were identified. All items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the Citizen Communication period.

Discussion Items

• D.1 Staff Briefings on October 23 Agenda Items – Staff reviewed a series of resolutions and contracts. Items included: a $263,590 change order for the Sports Center parking lot (no new city funds); a $296.5 million annual reimbursement resolution for debt-funded projects; a recommendation to deny Encore Electric’s 13% rate increase (approx. $7/month for residential customers), with PUC hearings scheduled Nov 17-21 and a decision expected April 2026; a $833,155 contract with KOM Productions for a mountain bike trail at Burns Ranch; a $925,000 agreement with Marathon Fitness for Athletic Performance Center equipment; a $1.2 million contract with Hydro Pro Solutions to replace 1,200 water meters (from 38,000 total) over 2-3 weeks starting Nov 10; approval of the Brush Creek Regional Utility Authority FY26 budget ($11.2 million total); and amendments to downtown sidewalk furniture license fees (new flat $50 annual fee, waiver for current licensees within 60 days).
• Downtown Zoning Overhaul (Items G1–G4) – Planning staff presented a comprehensive update to the MU1, MU2, and MUL districts after two years of public outreach. Proposed changes include: two high-density corridors (North Mays Street and Round Rock Avenue) allowing up to 8 stories; along I-35 frontage, up to 12 stories; new building form-based design standards (four building types); requirement for tripartite design on buildings 5+ stories; mandatory privately owned public spaces (POPS) for buildings 5–12 stories; prohibition of new bars in MU1 (freezing current count at 8); prohibition of new single-family homes in MU2 (existing homes can remain and expand); prohibition of drive-throughs, game rooms, and vape/smoke shops in MU2; expanded uses in MUL (restaurants on Main & Georgetown, event centers with restrictions); and rezoning of 114 parcels to MU2, 40 to MUL, and 8 to open space.
• Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Update (E.1) – Chamber President Jordan briefly reported: 131 new prospect leads year-to-date, 60 applications for the new Generator accelerator (first cohort launches Oct 30), a full-time program director hired, successful trade missions to the UK and South Korea (life sciences, medical device, robotics leads), and chamber membership at an all-time high of 961. The annual business awards will be Feb 5, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• The meeting was a briefing only; no formal votes were taken. However, council members provided clear direction for the October 23 meeting:
  • Bar Cap: Council generally supported the proposed prohibition on new bars in MU1, acknowledging the cap was not effective.
  • Single-Family Prohibition in MU2: Mayor Morgan and several members expressed concern about barring new single-family homes on vacant lots. They requested staff explore allowing single-family homes on existing subdivided lots while still prohibiting large lot assemblies. Some suggested lowering the disaster damage threshold from 50% to 30% for rebuilding.
  • Building Heights: Councilman Ortega and Montgomery noted the visual jump from 3-story to 8-story along North Mays Street but did not oppose the proposal. Staff clarified that lower heights remain possible based on market demand.
  • Public Notice: Staff proactively contacted property owners affected by non-conforming use changes (e.g., fuel sales, drive-throughs) and reported no pushback.
  • Infrastructure Assessment: Staff will present a separate report at the December pre-retreat on water, wastewater, and drainage capacity in downtown.
  • Chamber Report: Councilman Flores requested trend data (2-3 year lookback) for future updates.