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Melissa
P&Z August 8, 2024 - CC July 23, 2024
Welcome to Ultraground. We track new thoroughfares for you.
Note: We’ve been focusing on cities like Melissa where meetings aren’t recorded or published online. Unless you were physically at this meeting, or you’re an Ultraground DFW All-In member, you wouldn’t have access to the details from this meeting. Please let us know if there are other remote municipalities you’d like us to track - we’re constantly looking to expand the MSA data you have access to. -The Ultraground Team
PZ August 8, 2024
529-Unit Mixed-use | 4295, 4383, 4255, & 4219 Co Rd 277 | Denied
324-Unit Workforce Multifamily | 245 Co Rd 363 | Pulled from Agenda
CC July 23, 2024
714-Unit Mixed-use HFC | NWC of Melissa Rd & Milrany Ln | Postponed
You saved: 44m
Monarch at Melissa 4295, 4383, 4255, & 4219 Co Rd 277
Southwest Melissa | 45.34 Acres | 529 Units | Denied
Davis Road, also known as Buc-ee's Boulevard, is set to become a crucial six-lane east-west thoroughfare connecting Melissa to the neighboring community of Trinity Falls. Commissioner Tracy Hailey emphasized the road's future importance, stating:
‟Davis Road is going to eventually be a main corridor here in the City of Melissa, connecting Melissa to Trinity Falls. I mean, eventually it's set to be six lanes wide.
Alternate Commissioner Jacob Rogers noted the impact. Liberty North Creek, a substantial residential development, and HEB, a popular grocery store chain, underscore the anticipated growth and increased traffic flow along the corridor.
‟When that road opens up, it just seems like this is gonna be a hub, and that's gonna connect a Liberty North Creek crossing-sized neighborhood to HEB.
Skorburg Company proposed a 44.36-acre luxury mixed-use product located at the southwest corner of Telephone Road and the future 6-lane Buc-ee's Boulevard (Davis Road). The development plans called for a maximum of 529 luxury units across two phases, with a net density of 19.14 units per acre, as well as 0.57 acres of commercial space and 14.15 acres of parkland dedication.
While commissioners acknowledged Davis Road's planned expansion into a major six-lane thoroughfare, earmarking it for immense growth potential, they hesitated to approve the rezoning due to a lack of a clear vision for the area's development. Commissioner Clayton Coe captured the uncertainty around how the southwest sector of Melissa will develop.
‟We've had discussion in past meetings about this specific location, and it was we just we don't know enough yet.
Despite this uncertainty, commissioners strongly advocated for more commercial development along Telephone Road and key intersections. Alternate Commissioner Jacob Rogers insisted on more commercial.
‟I think we need to preserve Telephone Road for commercial use. I don't mind the back portion, but to me, I want to protect Telephone Road.
Skorburg’s Kevin Harrell described a previous submittal with 3 acres of commercial, that had been removed in this latest version from meetings with council members and the City Manager. The commissioners proceeded to pick apart the details of the proposal despite the future land use uncertainty. There wasn’t a clear determination of what should go here, but commissioners asked for more commercial.
‟If you want multifamily on this, the ratio is all wrong. I mean much closer to 80/20 (multifamily/commercial) being our target.
There was an acknowledgment that retail generally follows rooftops. Skorburg argued that this project would provide the necessary rooftops for successful retail in the future. Some commissioners recognized the need for residential development to support commercial growth, but most felt Monarch at Melissa didn't strike the right balance.
Commissioner Hailey also raised concerns about the proposed 14.15-acre parkland dedication, questioning its utility and accessibility given its location in a flood zone.
‟That's a lot of acreage for the city to pay to take care of, but nothing else can be built there and utilized.
Some of the positives were on the design of the product and the amount of parkland dedication (14.15-acre park tract).
‟I think the project is really, really nice looking. The apartments look great, the trees look great.
‟That side of town does need some kind of open space or something that people will have access to. I know we've got a few parks around town, but I know on that side of 75 especially, there just isn't a whole lot of parks right now.
The Commission recommended denying the rezoning, reverting to "no" without a clear, overarching plan. Alternate Commissioner Jacob Rogers made the motion to recommend denial to Council, which was seconded by Commissioner Coe and was favored by all commissioners, except Daniel Matthews.
Developer: Skorburg Company, Kevin Harrell Phone: (214) 888-8859 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn
Owner: Wilfred (Fred) Bourg Phone: (469) 450-2260 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn, Skorburg Company
Staff Report: Monarch at Melissa SR
Project Plans: Monarch at Melissa Plan
Throckmorton Creek Apartments 245 Co Rd 363
Northwest Melissa | 24.51 Acres | 324 Units | Pulled from Agenda
Dominium’s 324-unit multifamily product was endorsed by 18 individuals including the Arlington Housing Authority and the McKinney Housing Authority.
This deal’s affordability component is likely the cause: 100% of the units will be affordable at 70% AMI. As of Monday, August 5, 2024, this project was set to be heard at the August 8 P&Z meeting. Later that day, the project was pulled from the agenda.
The proposed Throckmorton Creek Apartments, also known as the Melissa Apartments, is a 324-unit affordable housing development by Dominium on 24.51 acres. The project needs a rezone from Agricultural to Planned Development for multifamily use, specifically for targeting larger families. 70% of units (228) are three-bedroom apartments and 30% (96) are two-bedroom. This focus on family-sized units is reflected in one of the requested variances, which increases the maximum percentage of three-bedroom units from 10% to 70%.
Dominium is seeking several other variances to accommodate their design. These include increasing the maximum building height from 2 stories to 3 stories, raising the net density from 15 to 19.1 units per acre, and allowing up to 36 units per building instead of the current 12-unit maximum.
The development stands out for its commitment to affordability. All units will be income-restricted for 30 years, targeting residents earning at or below 70% of the Area Median Income. A letter from Mindy Cochran, Executive Director of the Arlington Housing Authority, endorsed this deal.
Dominium approached Arlington with a plan to build a 192-unit multifamily complex in late 2020.
The project in Arlington is under construction and expected to open its first buildings towards the end of the year (presumably 2024, given the letter's date).
Cochran states, "We are now excited for this new construction development to provide much needed attainable housing for Arlington's working class."
Also included in support is a resolution from the McKinney Housing Authority, but it doesn't mention any specific project they've done with Dominium. The resolution simply states they have no objection to the Melissa project, nor do they have ties to this project.
The project has garnered significant community support, particularly from organizations that help provide attainable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Collin County, the North Texas Fair Housing Center, and local YMCA branches have submitted letters endorsing the deal.
Local business owners have also voiced support. Jeff Card, a Melissa business owner since 2014, stated, "For Melissa to provide outstanding experiences at our service-based businesses, we need housing stock that attracts the top service talent that this town deserves."
The development includes plans for significant infrastructure improvements. Dominium proposes to extend a 16-inch water line for about 4,210 linear feet and improve approximately 1,260 linear feet of Throckmorton Road. These improvements are seen as beneficial for future development in the area.
While the Commission and neighborhood’s reactions are pending, the support in the package and the developer's willingness to invest in local infrastructure suggests a positive outlook.
Developer: Dominium, Neal Route Phone: (214) 960-1162 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn
Owner: Charles R. McCollum Email: [email protected]
Staff Report: Throckmorton Creek Apartments
Project Plans: Throckmorton Creek Apartments Plan
Jefferson @ Phillips Quarry NWC of Melissa Rd & Milrany Ln
East Melissa | 55.5 Acres | 714 Units | Postponed
City Council 7/23/24
Postponed by Developer
JPI’s 714-unit mixed-use proposal was postponed by the developer at the City Council meeting following a recommendation of denial by Planning & Zoning on July 11th. This deal involves the establishment of a Housing Finance Corporation by the City Council.
Planning & Zoning 7/11/24
Denial Recommendation
JPI proposed the Jefferson @ Phillips Quarry project in Melissa, Texas, aiming to rezone 55.5 acres for a mixed-use product including 714 multifamily units, commercial space, and a 25-acre public park. A unique aspect of the proposal was the inclusion of a Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) component, contingent on the Melissa City Council establishing an HFC.
The site's proximity to Melissa High School was noted, with JPI meeting with Melissa ISD, who committed to sending a letter supporting the project.
Community opposition was strong, particularly from residents of the Trails of Melissa neighborhood. Daniel Kish expressed concerns about the transient nature of "apartment people" and their lack of long-term investment in the community compared to homeowners. Jennifer Hausmann worried about privacy and noise issues.
‟That's not to say that the rest of these apartment people are going to cross over the creek as well. I want to speak to the high end of the apartments, that sounds nice, tickles the ears, but they don't have an investment that we do with our land and the property taxes upkeep.
The Planning & Zoning Commission had mixed reactions. Commissioner Dave Minton raised safety concerns about the quarry. Another commissioner supported the park but expressed that multifamily housing is "not something that we need in the community." Commissioner Tracy Hailey praised the park concept but suggested it could be developed independently of the mixed-use product.
Commissioner Clayton Coe voiced strong reservations and ultimately made the motion to deny.
‟With everything that's been said in the community over the last 6 months, I don't want to go walk the sidewalks of this park with my fellow neighbors in Melissa and this apartment complex to be just south of that and all of us have to look at it together.
The Melissa Planning & Zoning Commission denied the proposal on July 11, 2024. However, the project was later tabled by the developer at the City Council meeting on July 23, 2024.
You saved: 1h 35m
Developer: JPI, Miller Sylvan Phone: (972) 373-3931 Email: [email protected], Bryan Grant Phone: (972) 373-3945 Email: [email protected], Spencer Ellison Email: [email protected]
Owner: Long Family, James Long
Staff Report: Jefferson @ Phillips Quarry
Project Plans: Jefferson @ Phillips Quarry Plans
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