Council approves industrial loft zoning

On Thursday, City Council approved a rezoning and change of the Future Land Use Map that will allow construction of residential lofts in the currently industrial area of South Austin on St. Elmo’s Road. Developer GFD Holdings plans to build the St. Elmo Market and Lofts at Industrial Boulevard and South Congress. The proposed project consists of a 43,000 square foot shopping center, 400 apartments, a boutique hotel and a music venue — possibly a relocated Saxon Pub — on the land. City staff did not support the project because it will put residences in close proximity to some of the last close-in heavy industrial land uses in the city. Though the rezoning passed on consent, Council Members Kathie Tovo and Laura Morrison voted in opposition.