Residents of the Rosedale neighborhood met with representatives of the Austin Independent School District through the summer to discuss the district’s plan to put a six-story, 435-unit apartment complex on the site of the closed Rosedale Elementary School near 49th and Burnet. The residents hoped the district would agree to downsize the project, which they argue would block the sun from nearby single-family homes and fill the neighborhood streets with traffic.
But talks between the neighbors and the district collapsed on Sept. 21. Three days later, City Council approved a rezoning of the Rosedale site that will allow the development to move forward.
David Hartman, a representative of OHT Partners, the developer collaborating with AISD on the project, described the planned development to Council on Sept. 24, before the vote. Hartman said it meets a number of city goals, particularly the creation of dense housing located near future Project Connect light rail stations, parks, and local businesses. Hartman added that the development would improve the area’s storm sewer infrastructure and pointed out that the developer could have asked for the approval of a 120-foot-high structure, but is only seeking to build one of 75 feet…