- DFW Ultraground
- Posts
- Anna Planning & Zoning
Anna Planning & Zoning
11/4/24 | Full Report
Welcome to Ultraground. We track annexations for you.
PZ November 4, 2024
755-Unit SFR/Townhomes | 7936 County Road 285 | Approved
449-Unit SFR/Townhomes | 453 County Road 371 | Approved
You saved: 43m
The City of Anna Planning Commission unanimously approved the 60-acre City Park Heights East project alongside its larger 204-acre sister development City Park Heights West, together bringing over 1,150 mixed-density housing units to this rapidly growing Collin County suburb. While both deals feature a range of product types, HOAs, and individually platted lots, there was no mention of being for sale or rental in the meeting or documents.
City Park Heights West 7936 County Road 285
Southwest Anna | 204 Acres | 755 Units | Approved
Owner Raymond Sims’ City Park Heights West 755-unit deal received a 6-1 approval from the Anna Planning & Zoning Commission on November 4, 2024. The 204-acre site sits at the southwest corner of County Road 285 and County Road 827, proposing 432 single-family detached dwellings, 275 townhomes, and 58 HOA lots, along with two city parks and a civic center designated for a future fire station. While individual lots are planned, it wasn’t determined whether it is a for sale or rental product.
The project features three distinct housing products: 40'x100' bungalows requiring 50% masonry, 24'x100' townhomes with 25% masonry requirements limited to 4 units per building, and 24'x92' courtyard-focused cottages. The cottages get exemptions from typical repetition requirements due to their orientation toward common landscaped courtyards rather than streets.
The development follows what the owner’s representative characterized as a traditional transect design pattern, featuring denser development near amenities that gradually shift to more spacious lots toward the outer edges.
Commissioner Josh Vollmer cast the sole dissenting vote without verbal explanation. The rest of the commission's discussion focused primarily on technical aspects rather than opposition or support, with particular attention to flood plain concerns and traffic patterns.
A significant portion of the commission's discussion centered on floodplain considerations, given the property's location at the confluence of East Fork Trinity River and Hurricane Creek. Chair Jessica Walden's specific worries about flood studies prompted owner rep Martin Sanchez to detail their systematic approach to reclamation studies. He explained they analyze scenarios involving one-foot, three-foot, and five-foot elevations. According to Sanchez, moving dirt at the one-foot and three-foot levels is relatively straightforward, but once they reach five feet or higher, the main challenge shifts from dirt removal to constructing retaining walls for stability.
Despite the project's size and potential impact, staff reported receiving no public feedback or comments during the hearing process. This lack of public input might be attributed to the property's location in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) at the time of the hearing.
The development's minimum square footage requirements are 1,800 square feet for bungalows and cottages, and 1,750 square feet for townhomes. The project includes significant amenities: a private amenity center with pool and picnic areas, an extensive hike-bike trail system, and a proposed amphitheater in the floodplain area. Additionally, a 14-acre tract will be dedicated to municipal uses including a potential veteran’s memorial and fire station.
City Council 4/23/24
Pre-Annexation DA | Approved
The Anna City Council warmly received the proposed Pre-Annexation Development Agreement for the City Park Heights West presented by Martin Sanchez of the Sanchez Group. Council members appreciated the unique mix of housing types, with Council Member Kevin Toten praising the product variety.
‟ I appreciate bringing something different that Anna doesn't have. We already have plenty of single family homes. We don't have any bungalows, no condos or townhomes, and this is like a mixture of all three.
Owner: Raymond Sims Phone: (214) 544-0022
Representative: Sanchez & Associates, Martin Sanchez Phone: (469) 424-5900
Staff Report: City Park Heights West SR
Development Standards: City Park Heights West Dev Stnd
Project Plans: City Park Heights West Plan
Anna 2050 Future Land Use Plan
City Park Heights East 453 County Road 371
Northwest Anna | 60 Acres | 470 Units | Approved
The East deal, featuring 449 units split between single-family detached homes and townhomes, includes "bungalow-style" townhomes arranged around shared courtyards. Despite introducing higher density than the area's agricultural and cluster residential future land use designation, both projects sailed through the November 2024 commission meeting with no public opposition. Like its larger counterpart, it wasn’t determined whether it would be a for-sale or rental product.
Anna’s newest Commissioner Tom Longmire, joining P&Z in August 2024, focused on the development's bidding process. After hearing the developer's explanation about private sector practices, Longmire pressed further.
‟ Why would you request to be exempted from competitive bidding? ...that's what I would like to hear is that you're going to competitively bid it...because the city is going to pay you back.
Commissioner Longmire also questioned the density aspects and lot sizes, asking about 40-foot lots. His question led to a discussion of the development's various housing types, which include four distinct products with minimum lot widths ranging from 24 to 40 feet.
The development features several unique housing products, including what Sanchez characterized as bungalow-style townhomes that are "turned on their side" to face each other, creating "common front yards" that he described as "very nichy" and "sought-after."
Here are some other neutral points raised:
Commissioner Longmire also inquired about the financial structure, specifically asking "Is this developed under a PID?"
Chair Jessica Walden concentrated on infrastructure coordination with adjacent developments, asking if the development team has worked with JKB on the dedicated hike and bike trail.
No public comments were received either supporting or opposing the development. The project passed unanimously despite its deviation from the Anna 2050 Future Land Use Plan's designation of the area as Ranching & Agricultural and Cluster Residential.
Owner: Revocable Collins Family Trust
Representative: Sanchez & Associates, Martin Sanchez Phone: (469) 424-5900
Staff Report: City Park Heights East SR
Project Plans: City Park Heights East Plan
Development Standards: City Park Heights East Dev Stnd
Thank you for being a part of Ultraground.
How was this report? |
Reply