The City of Round Rock’s Planning and Development Services Department has earned two statewide honors from the American Planning Association (APA) Texas Chapter, recognizing the team’s work to turn long-term community goals into reality.
The City received a 2026 Silver Planning Achievement Award in the Planning Implementation category for its Downtown Mixed-Use Zoning Districts and Downtown Mixed-Use Zoning User Guide project. The award recognizes planning efforts that demonstrate significant community achievement with long-term, measurable results. The project also received regional recognition earlier this year from the APA Texas Chapter’s Central and Southwest Sections.
Round Rock was also recognized through the 2026 Richard R. Lillie, FAICP Program for Planning Excellence, which honors communities committed to supporting planning, strengthening their communities and making thoughtful decisions that shape a better future for residents.
Completed entirely in-house by City planners over 18 months, the downtown mixed-use zoning project advances the vision established in Round Rock’s 2010 Downtown Master Plan, which calls for a thriving town center with a mix of residential, commercial, retail, dining, entertainment and public spaces in a walkable, historically sensitive environment.
Since 2010, the City has invested nearly $200 million in downtown infrastructure and public improvements. The project helps align those investments with private development opportunities while modernizing zoning regulations to reflect current market conditions, development trends and community priorities.
The City’s planning team updated three mixed-use zoning districts originally adopted in 2013, establishing building typology standards and identifying key corridors for increased densities while respecting downtown’s existing character.
The updated standards integrate the City’s adopted Historic Design Guidelines with zoning requirements, balancing historic preservation with redevelopment opportunities. They also strengthen pedestrian-oriented frontage requirements and coordinate private development with City investments in streetscapes, trails, civic spaces and infrastructure.
Extensive public engagement informed the updated regulations. Before beginning the formal adoption process, City planners conducted surveys, roundtable discussions, open houses, visual-preference activities and more than 30 hours of public office hours.
These opportunities allowed staff to meet directly with downtown residents, property owners, business owners, developers and other stakeholders. Following the engagement process and public hearings, the updated zoning districts were adopted unanimously by the Round Rock City Council.
The team’s award-winning Downtown Mixed-Use Zoning User Guide translated technical code requirements into clear narratives, graphics and practical examples that help users understand downtown development opportunities and navigate the zoning process.Together, these awards recognize the work of Round Rock’s planning staff to update development regulations, engage the community and support thoughtful growth in Downtown Round Rock.
Learn more at roundrocktexas.gov/downtownplanning.
