Zoning Question - Austin, TX (SF-3 --> MF-4 possible?

[Brian Marver]

I'm looking at a property in Clarksville area of Austin, TX that is zoned as SF-3-HD-NP. It was listed on MLS as a Triplex that is zoned MF-4, but through discussions with existing tenant (who looked at buying in past) it has been uncovered it is actually zoned SF-3-HD-NP (Historic District; Neighborhood Planning Oddly enough the TCAD shows it as MF-4 but we now have confirmation it is not per the listing agent.

The lot is 6000 SF, all of the other lots on the street are MF-4.  Does anyone have an idea of what it would take to get it re-zoned to MF-4 given the context or is that highly unlikely.  

[Chris Schorre]

Brian, I have lived in Clarksville for 18 years and long ago was on the Board of OWANA. I also own an MF4 property nearby. I can tell you that there is ZERO chance you will be able to rezone from SF3 to MF4. In fact, the lot at 6000SF does not meet minimum size requirements for MF4 (minimum 9K or 10K SF I believe) so it could never hold that zoning. There was a zoning situation on Winflo street in 2017 where the owner had a 7400SF lot zoned MF3. The city ended up denying his request to a triplex because even though the site had MF3 zoning it did not meet the requirements of being 8,000SF needed for MF3 zoning. Keep in mind that the City is releasing the next version of the LDC in October and that will likely add more expansive zoning to the properties in this area, especially those within 1/4 mile of 6th (core transit corridor). So while it is not possible now to build more than a duplex on that lot, it will likely change.