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Plano Planning & Zoning

Plano Planning & Zoning

11/20/23

November 20, 2023

Welcome to Ultraground. We track zoning meetings for you.

November 20, 2023

Central Plano

874-Unit Mixed-use | E of Alma Drive | Approved

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Collin Creek East side of Alma Dr, 760 ft South of 15th St

Central Plano | 103.6 Acres | 874 Units | Approved (Zoning, MF Replat, SFR Site Plan)

The Collin Creek Mall closed in 2018 after over 35 years of operations. Immediately, plans emerged for redeveloping the 103-acre site into a $1B massive mixed-use residential and commercial hub. The initial 2018 proposal targeted nearly 3,000 housing units to replace the shuttered regional mall.

However, the new plan presented to Plano’s Planning & Zoning Commission looked different.

The new proposal includes 472 multifamily units, 298 single family attached townhomes, 104 single family detached homes, a parking garage, retail, restaurants, and two parks.

The new 874 unit count represents a 65% decrease from the 1,866 units suggested in 2019 refinement plans.

While construction is already underway on the single family homes, details on the multifamily and commercial sections are still undetermined.

One key issue that arose related to projections from single family buildings, such as roof overhangs and bay windows, into the public right-of-way. The developers requested amendments to allow for such projections up to 2 feet deep, contingent on city approval via a licensing agreement. This passed 8-0 after some clarifying language was added. Concerns were raised about maintaining fire access, safe clearance heights, and avoiding conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists. However, the Planning & Zoning Commission responded favorably overall, seeing the requests as consistent with standards for other mixed-use districts.

No specific rationale is provided in the documents to explain why the mega community destination now sits far below the originally anticipated unit count.

The phased rollout, which first focuses on smaller single family homes, follows the trend of requiring lower density housing before allowing higher density housing to be built. Sometimes this goes so far as necessitating completion of townhomes or single family homes first before starting construction on multifamily.

Another recent project with this type of trigger:

Prosper Town Council

11/14/23, 8/22/23 : Density Triggers

www.dfw.ultraground.com/p/prosper-town-council