Plano's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a zoning change, subject to the city's compliance ordinances, for 156.3 acres for an urban mixed-use development on the southwest corner of Plano Parkway and Alma Drive in its meeting Oct. 6.

The development by Rosewood Property Group, called Heritage 190, is planned as an urban village anchored by a major office complex with retail, restaurants and 1,300 apartment units. Phase 1 of the project would include restaurants, office or retail, multifamily units, townhomes, detached single-family units, an improved creek, parks and pedestrian bridges.

President and CEO of RPC Bill Flaherty said the group is ready to begin Phase 1 as soon as possible if the development were approved.

"There is market demand and we are in detailed discussions with a corporate office user that would be relocating jobs here," Flaherty said. "We believe this is a significant opportunity for this part of Plano."

Residents in both opposition and support were present at the meeting and provided feedback to the Commission about the Heritage 190 development.

"By putting this many apartments in this small space, we're creating a completely different atmosphere," said one resident of Dallas North Estates. "There's no reason why we need to have a public purpose of providing more multifamily apartments into the general area of our neighborhood."

Another resident from a nearby neighborhood, Pittman Creek Estates, spoke in favor of the project and said, "This is the best thing that could happen to south central Plano."

Before the Commission approved the rezoning, Commissioner Doug Bender said, "We're here to foster redevelopment of this area. It's interesting to see people who have lived here so long get excited about this."

The item will be on City Council's agenda at its Oct. 27 regular meeting.