The project will sit north of Cross Timbers Road, west of Hwy. 377 and east of I-35W.
The details
Officials with the design firm McAdams, the applicant behind the proposed zoning change, plan to develop the site with four big box retail buildings consisting of about 472,470 square feet of space for stores and restaurants. The project is also set to include 278 townhomes, as well as space for park land, pollinators and detention pond areas.
The applicant also requested a master land use plan amendment from campus commercial to high density residential on 42 acres of land, which received a recommendation of approval from the commission. The applicant was also seeking some exceptions from the town, such as reducing setbacks and increasing maximum lot coverage.
What they’re saying
At the Dec. 9 meeting, Commissioner Michelle Jackson and others raised concerns about the density of the project, saying they wanted to preserve the country feel of the town.
“I don’t think it has to be that dense to make it desirable,” Jackson said.
Town staff said the planned development district the project will sit in has protections for open space. Commissioner Todd Bayuk said he heard from residents that they were excited about the amenities the project could provide and weren’t so concerned about the density.
Commissioner Gregory Schultz said at the meeting that he too had concerns about the density of the project but that the town needs high quality, affordable housing for young professionals.
“I think this [development] and the convenience may be a way of meeting that need,” Schultz said.
What else?
The master land use plan amendment was recommended for approval by the commission in a 4-3 vote. The zoning change was recommended for approval in a 4-2 vote. Next, the project will go before the Town Council for consideration.
