la Frontera In the News

Round Rock Leader

March 5, 2001

More apartments on the rise at La Frontera

by Bill Frisbie, Leader Staff

A new 366-unit apartment complex, currently dubbed La Frontera II, is on tap for the 328-acre commercial hub at FM 1325 and Interstate 35.

The city council recently approved an amendment to the original Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement allowing apartments to be built north of Sundance Parkway and also increasing "slightly" the local density restrictions for multifamily development, according to city planning officials.

The three-story facility will "almost be the mirror image" of the 411-unit Enclave at La Frontera apartments that opened in December, said Round Rock site plan coordinator Randy Gilbert.

"There will likely be a change in the building materials for the new buildings in that they will be using a stone base instead of brick and also stucco", Gilbert said.

The dwellings will be located between the Austin Marriott North at Round Rock and proposed lake amenities, north of Sundance Parkway and south of Hesters Crossing. At 35.5 units per acre, it will be Round Rock’s most highly dense development to date. Two years ago, the apartment density limits in Round Rock stood at 20 units per acre before city officials adjusted the restrictions for The Enclave at La Frontera.

The amendment does not alter the cap on the number of apartments that may be built at the PUD. Currently, La Frontera is limited to 900 total units with height limitations of 60 feet.

Upon completion, the new development would raise to 777 the total number of apartment units in La Frontera. Multifamily units are not permitted north of Hesters Crossing.

Chisholm Valley resident Beth Carlisle said she has more misgivings about the eight-story hotel behind her home than the new apartments.

"The apartments will not affect me," she said, "but I’m more concerned that the patrons of the hotel keep their drapes drawn. La Frontera (officials) have been great in keeping all of us informed. They’re good neighbors and we’re lucky to have La Frontera in Round Rock."

Chisholm Valley Neighborhood Association president Dorothy Pistole said La Frontera officials have frequently met with residents of the subdivision that shares the commercial hub’s northern property line. Property owners are less concerned about another nearby apartment complex as they are with La Frontera’s potential traffic impact upon the neighborhood.