Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission members tabled voting on the request to rezone approximately 7.8 acres, a skinny stretch of land directly next to FISD’s Memorial High School, from Agricultural to Planned Development-Townhome at its Feb. 14 meeting. The decision to table the vote allows residents in the surrounding area to learn more about the incoming development, commissioners at the meeting said.
“I'm very much in favor of townhomes, but I'm also in favor of the right density in the right place,” Commissioner Steve Cone said.
FISD is one of the three owners listed on the zoning request for the development, called Oasis at Cobb Hill, according to meeting documents.
The district became involved after discussions about the development, which have been going on since 2021, proposed turning a fire lane near MHS into a public street, according to meeting documents.
Despite the property being “long and narrow” and constrained by the nearby school, city staff and the applicant stated the development would still attract people, according to meeting documents.
A staff presentation to the commission stated the property meets all city standards for townhome developments, including meeting the city’s Future Land Use Plan designating the area for suburban neighborhood uses.
“It was important we had a standard townhome product on these lots,” staff said.
City staff sent courtesy emails to surrounding homeowners associations Feb. 3 and had not received any project input forms from nearby residents before the Feb. 14 meeting, according to meeting documents.
“Since the publication of the staff report, staff has received a number of project input forms,” staff said.
Some members of the Cobb Hill neighborhood also spoke against the proposed development at the meeting. Speakers also told commission members their HOA had never received the courtesy emails city staff sent out and wanted more time for community members to learn about the development and its owners.
After hearing from the community and representatives for the development applicants, the planning and zoning commission tabled the vote on the development’s request and scheduled the next discussion for March 28.
“It's always best to have people discuss and talk and meet,” Cone said.
Oasis at Cobb Hill owners could appeal the commission’s decision to table the vote but would need Frisco City Council to overrule it.
If the commission approves the request at its March meeting, the City Council will also vote on the following another public hearing at a future meeting.
