In a regular meeting Monday night that extended close to the midnight hour, the Plano City Council approved two rezoning requests that would allow developers to transform a vacant car dealership and an empty plot of land into multi-rise apartments and a townhome community, respectively.
Residents filled the council's chambers to voice opposition to both requests during the public comment periods. After deliberation, council members approved the zoning request made by Winstead, P.C. to rezone a 6.3 acre tract of land located at Plano Parkway and Preston Road, which was formerly a Lexus car dealership. The council voted 6-1 in favor of the zoning change, with Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Ben Harris dissenting. Councilman James Duggan recused himself from the vote.
Representatives from Alliance Residential Co. presented their plans for the vacant lot, which includes a five-story building, 465 apartments, a covered parking garage, recreational amenities and personal services.
Residents opposed to the measure cited traffic congestion along the Preston Road corridor to the President George Bush Turnpike, as well as the number of existing apartment buildings in this area and concerns about the water supply for the new development. One resident requested the council take more time in deciding the fate of the lot, suggesting the dealership building could be retrofitted into a theater.
Mayor Harry LaRosiliere said the proposed development is the right place at the right time for Plano, which is currently preparing for an influx of new residents thanks to the pending arrival of big name corporations like Toyota and State Farm.
"We're a city and we're growing," he said. "This location is a prime [area] for people who want to come to Plano."
Council members also voted 8-0 in favor of a similar zoning request made by Plano Parkway Investments, L.P. that allows for the development of an estimated 180-unit, single-family townhome community at the intersection of Independence Drive and Plano Parkway. The empty tract was zoned commercial and has been vacant for several years.
Residents from neighboring communities voiced their objection to the measure, stating the added homes would exacerbate existing traffic conditions in the area, which is home to several schools.
After roughly an hour of public comment and deliberation, the council approved the request on the condition that the developer funnel traffic from the development onto the main roads with no access to adjacent Linda Lane and Princeton Road.
Despite objections, council members agreed that the added housing would be an asset to the city and its workforce.
"People that are coming here now, they're all out looking for houses and apartments," Councilman David Downs said. "There's a demand for this; there are a lot of young professionals coming here."
