The gist
A request to rezone the property for the proposed development, termed Lofts at Alma Road, was presented to commission members by Trey Jacobson of Momentum Advisory Services, a land use consultant representing the applicant Landmark Cos.
The project is located on about 10.9 acres at the southeast corner of Silverado Trail and Alma Road. The proposed project would feature a single three-story multifamily building at the center surrounded by two-story townhome-style units and single-story detached garages, according to the presentation.
The project is proposed to have a total of 233 units, resulting in a density of 22 units per acre, according to Jacobson. Amenities planned for the development include a playground, pickleball courts and a pool.
What they’re saying
Commission members gave mixed feedback on the project with Commission Member Brian Mantzey noting the concentration of multifamily projects underway in the area.
“This is going to be a bunch of one-bedroom apartments that we have probably three dozen in that area under construction or to be constructed or existing at this time,” Mantzey said. “We’ve had discussions here before about the mixed missing-middle duplexes, triplexes, things for families. ... Right now we’re just approving another item potentially that’s telling you [that] to come to McKinney, you can either buy a $530,000 house, or you can get a one-bedroom apartment because we don’t have anything in the middle, and we’re not actually creating that mix of housing for this area.”
Mantzey also noted his concerns about the project’s adjacency to local elementary and middle schools.
Commission Member Scott Woodruff voiced support for the project.
“I like the project,” Woodruff said. “It’s different; it's creative. I give you guys a lot of credit, the creativity of making a townhome look [like] a multifamily. ... I don’t know what the best use is here, but this is not a use that I think is a bad use at this location.”
Next steps
The commission voted 6-1 in favor of approving the requested rezoning for the project with Mantzey voting against it. The commission’s positive recommendation will be sent to McKinney City Council for final action at the July 18 meeting, according to the presentation.
