Cumberland Road and South First

8 Story High Rise

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We Need Your Help!

The GENA board has learned that the property at Cumberland Rd and South First St has received an approved site plan and plans to break ground soon.

The site combines three lots: 600 Cumberland Rd, 2612 S 1st St, and 2610 S 1st St.


What Has Been Approved

  • 8 stories
  • 120 rental units
  • Setbacks as little as 5 ft
  • 2 floors of underground parking; approx. half of units will not have a parking space
Mockup, to scale, showing nearby homes
Overheard view of approximate building footprint


Why We’re Against It

  • TRAFFIC: Cumberland Rd is already at “undesirable” levels based on the city’s traffic analysis from May 2025. More cars & commercial activity will only make congestion worse.
  • PARKING: Nearly half the units lack parking—causing spillover onto neighborhood streets or reliance on unreliable transit.
  • TOO CLOSE: An 8-story wall just feet from single-family homes.
  • NO TRANSPARENCY: The developer avoids community input & keeps neighbors in the dark.


Why Again? How Is This Even Possible?

Last fall, the owner sought a DB-ETOD variance, a different affordability program. The DB-ETOD variance required notifying neighbors and a formal hearing at the Board of Adjustments. Y’all showed up BIG to oppose it, and they withdrew their petition.

Now, the owner is using Affordability Unlocked, which doesn’t require community notice or input to waive height and setback limits.

Notably, Affordability Unlocked allows a building height of 1.5x the base zoning (i.e. from 60 to 90 ft maximum), and it completely waives the compatibility buffer requirement to adjacent single family homes, which is normally 25 ft.


How You Can Help


1. Tell Your Neighbors!
We need everyone’s support! Feel free to use the below flyer to share information about this project with your neighbors.

Cumberland & S First Flyer (PDF)


2. Speak Up:
Contact Council Member José Velásquez (512-978-2103 or e-mail) to share your concerns about the project’s scale and impact.

3. Show Up:
Attend hearings, events, and block walks. These will be announced via e-mail, our website, and our Facebook group.

4. Get Involved:
Want to help more directly? Contact Patty at president@gena.org.

5. Donate to the Legal Fund Here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/austin-citizens-unite-for-community-voice

Where Can I Learn More?