Encore Wire gained initial approval at the May 10 McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to construct a new manufacturing facility.

The facility would be located about 850 feet south of Elm Street and about 650 feet west of Millwood Road. Plans call for the facility to be about 35,000 square feet, which will also include warehouse and office uses, according to the letter of intent submitted to the city.

While the land is already zoned for light manufacturing, Encore Wire requested a variance to not be required to provide rooftop equipment screening, since the proposed building is part of Encore’s larger campus. For other places where screening is required, Encore Wire requested to use alternative screening devices rather than living plants.

Staff recommended approval of the variances to commissioners, stating they would have no adverse effects. Commissioners approved the requested variances without much discussion.