College Station has mapped roughly 706 parcels, covering about 173 acres, that it may rezone on its own initiative to the MH Middle Housing district, according to minutes of the city's Housing Plan Advisory Committee. Staff told that committee in September that notification letters were going to about 1,440 property owners and nearby neighbors, and that the rezonings themselves were expected in early 2027.
Residents have two chances this week to question planners directly. A virtual session runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday on Microsoft Teams, and an in-person session follows from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Bush 4141 Community Room at City Hall, 1101 Texas Ave. The city says both meetings open with the same presentation and leave time to talk with staff.
Which properties are on the list
The project website says a parcel was included only if it met four tests: its future land use designation in the comprehensive plan is Mixed Residential, Middle Housing zoning would add development options it does not have today, it is not owned by a school or church, and it is not already zoned MH.
Letters went to owners of the properties under consideration and to owners within 200 feet.
The MH district permits small-lot single-family houses, townhouses, courtyard houses, duplexes, buildings of three to four units, buildings of five to 12 units, and live-work units. The city says larger building types face extra rules on buffering, height and parking, including where they sit next to areas designated for neighborhood conservation.
What owners are being told
According to the city, nothing changes on a property right away. Owners would not have to sell or redevelop, existing lawful uses could continue, and a house could still be lived in or rented out.
The MH standards would apply only if an owner later chose to change or rebuild, and what fits on a given lot would depend on its size, shape, access and utilities.
The city describes the effort as a new initiative directed by the City Council and separate from earlier city-led rezonings. It traces the idea to the Housing Plan Advisory Committee, which asked staff to look for areas that could take more density and a wider mix of housing, in line with the city's Housing Action Plan.
