Storybook Ranch in McKinney, which provided space for events and gatherings for more than 20 years, received an initial nod of approval Jan. 28 for its land to be rezoned for apartments.

The McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission supported a rezoning request that could allow multifamily buildings to be constructed on the property located at 3701 Custer Road, McKinney.

With the commission's support, the item will move to the McKinney City Council’s Feb. 4 agenda for its consideration.

If the rezoning is approved JPI Construction would purchase Storybook Ranch and the land would be redeveloped, JPI officials said.

The plan, as it is proposed, would allow for multifamily housing of no more than 400 units and a height of no more than four stories. The remaining 2 acres on the property will be left zoned as commercial, which the applicant said could be developed into some kind of restaurant.


Developers also assured staff that should the plan receive the go ahead, developers would build a hike and bike trail in conjunction with the apartments. This would be used as a buffer between the apartments and the existing residences.

The plan came before the commission without city staff’s favorable recommendation, as staff noted there were several multifamily developments existing in the area and the city’s comprehensive plan identified the land for professional campus development.

Josh White with commercial real estate firm CBRE said during the time when the property had been listed for sale, he and his team had not received a single call for a professional campus of some kind. However, they had received several calls from interested parties regarding a multifamily development.

“This seems to be an ideal location for multifamily development,” he said at the meeting. “We initially selected JPI; we felt like they were the best in class in this region and the group to partner with to bring this project to fruition.”


Commissioners agreed that it was unlikely for the area to be developed into a professional campus.

“There wouldn’t be a professional campus there because there is only one entrance,” Commissioner Cam McCall said.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to support the project, with Commissioner Deanna Kuykendall denying her support, saying the development would negatively affect the existing residents.