Planning department reports slower growth, 143,000 population estimate and policy changes to aid multifamily

Bradley, the Planning and Development Services presenter, told the council the department oversees long‑range planning, zoning, permitting and historic‑preservation work and that the city’s June population estimate is about 143,000. He said year‑over‑year population growth is roughly 2 percent and that permit volumes have tapered from recent higher levels.

Bradley summarized permit activity for the year ending June 30: 365 permits for new single‑family homes, 136 permits for new townhomes and one multifamily permit covering a large project the presentation described as a 316‑unit development. He said the building inspections team completed about 20,900 inspections and that about 98 percent of site permit reviews met the department’s internally set deadlines.

Why it matters: Bradley said the data reflect a transition from the more explosive growth in 2022–25 to steadier expansion. He told council that single‑family construction remains stable though lower than the recent peak, missing‑middle (duplexes, townhomes) activity persists, and multifamily development is slower because of current market and rent conditions.

The presentation named several capital projects that the department is helping to manage, including Fire Station 11, the Public Safety Training Center, the Bob Bennett Building expansion and multiple Round Rock ISD bond projects such as Stony Point, Cedar Ridge and Round Rock High School. Bradley also noted a VA outpatient clinic recently broke ground and that a large light‑industrial project is underway on the city’s north side.

Bradley said the city approved zoning earlier this year for a data center project (Skybox) but that the developer has not submitted permits pending a power commitment from Encore. He added that the governor and legislature are discussing data‑center policy proposals that the city will monitor.

On policy, Bradley said staff will bring amendments to the Planning and Zoning Commission next week to change how the city handles multifamily development in order to “meet the market where it currently is,” with the goal of returning to council next month.

Council response: Councilmembers praised the department’s responsiveness. Councilmember Flores said she appreciates the depth of the updates and the department’s work in summarizing key issues for council decision‑making.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation; the update was received for the record.