Record Poll shows majority favors purpose-built student housing project

The Record’s online poll from May 31- June 14 asked readers whether they think a proposed purpose-built student housing development in downtown that was recently denied a conditional use permit would be beneficial.

A purpose-built student housing project proposed for a whole block of Guadalupe Street downtown got a thumbs down from the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 28.

The commission held a public hearing for a conditional use permit to allow the construction of a five- to seven-story student housing development on Guadalupe Street between San Antonio Street and Martin Luther King Drive. The 75 Sylvan development would have had 171 units with 545 bedrooms and 0.75 parking spaces per bedroom, with a fee-in-lieu of parking payment of $844,600 to the city.

Before the public hearing, one resident spoke in favor of the project, but public opinion was overwhelmingly against the development — the comments on the Daily Records’s poll were similar, though the poll results differed from the vast majority of commenters.

Those that oppose the development said the city already has more than enough purpose-built student housing and the proposed development doesn't have adequate parking. Those that advocated for the development said the buildings currently on the block are not historic and the development would add property value.

The poll asking, “Do you think the 75 Sylvan development would be beneficial?” received a total of 1,954 votes, with the majority of votes — 63 percent or 1,240 votes — going to option “Yes, it would add property value.” Thirty-seven percent of voters chose, “No, there is more than enough purpose-built student housing.”

A majority of poll voters voted that the 75 Sylvan development would be beneficial because it would add property value. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.

SMDR’s new poll is available online now and asks for readers’ opinions on whether they think the city should adopt a demolition review period for historic resources. It can be voted on now.