The Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request 5-1 on Jan. 8 to modify the development standards to accommodate the redevelopment of Hall Park from an office park to a mixed-use development that includes residential. The residential request, made by real estate developer Hall Group, includes mid-/high-rise buildings, mixed-use buildings, urban living and retirement housing. Earlier in 2018, Craig Hall, founder and chairman of Hall Group, presented plans to update the office park in a joint work session of Frisco City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The plans included future residential, commercial, office space, a centralized open space feature and a performing arts center. During the Jan. 8 meeting, Hall said the update to the 1993 planned development would reflect current times and provide a long-term vision for the development. “Residential is critical for our future. ... This is a 30-year plan,” Hall said. “We’ve been at it for 30 years, and we’re going to be at it for another 30 years.” There were several residents present who asked the commission to table to the project so residents could further examine the request presented as they did not receive notice until Jan. 4. Other residents spoke to concerns regarding building heights, and others spoke in support of the project. Hall Group held several meetings throughout 2018 with the Stonebriar Legacy Association of Neighborhoods to discuss plans for the development. The main concern from residents was that there could be potential for future Hall Park residents looking into the single-family residents’ backyards in the adjacent neighborhood. Hall Group proposed increasing the overall heights for residential buildings from 240/300 feet to 350/400 feet along Gaylord Parkway and Dallas Parkway. According to the city, residential will only be permissible above the 15th floor within mixed-use buildings and a minimum of 25 stories if building composed of 100 percent residential. The city asked Hall Group to conduct a line of sight study at varying heights, which resulted in Hall Group's request. The city also asked for a shadow study to ensure that the increased building height would not cast shadows into the Stonebriar Park neighborhood to the west. The study concluded that the building height would not cast shadows onto the neighborhood. Most of the commissioners felt there was no reason to table to item as the request only referred to residential use in the development. Any site plans for the project would come before the commission at a separate meeting for approval. Commissioner Ed Kelly voted against the request stating that he wanted to table the item for two weeks to make sure everybody understood what they were voting on as there seemed to be some confusion from residents. The approval of the request also included a minimum of 12-13.5 percent of open space. The city also requested that any new structures must have a minimum distance of 25 feet from the street. The commission could approve a reduction of 18 feet if Hall Park were to come back and ask for a reduced distance. The request will go before Frisco City Council at a later date for final approval.