The Meadow Ranch Offices would be located on four acres at the southeast corner of US 380 and Meadow Ranch Road. Planning and zoning commissioners ultimately decided to give a favorable recommendation to the request to rezone this area from agricultural to local commercial district, in spite of a public hearing that had many residents speaking against the development.
Martin Sanchez, of Sanchez & Associates, said rezoning the property would allow a two-story office building to be developed at the site, which could hold some offices and some retail elements.
During the public hearing, concerns ranged from how the proposed rezoning would affect the quality of life, the ability of sewer systems to support the commercial development and the effect on property values.
The city did receive four letters of support for the project.
The discussion March 9 was a continuation of the conversation from the Feb. 9 planning and zoning commission meeting when the request was tabled. Commission members wanted the applicant to spend more time talking with property owners on Meadow Ranch.
Sanchez said he spent the past month talking to property owners, but acknowledged many resident feelings were unchanged about the development. Sanchez also said that dirt would not start turning on the project until a plan for sewer was formed, which could take years. He was, however, able to be more clear about the vision for the development, which commissioners approved of. They compared it to the veterinarian practice on the west side of Meadow Ranch, and said this development did not go as deep into the residential area as that practice does.
“I agree with the applicant,” Commission Chair Bill Cox said. “The property fronts a U.S. Highway, it's compatible with the surrounding zoning, there is still residential to the south of the subject zoning. Any property that would be included in a rezone will need to come back through the process, but as far as the front request to rezone these two lots, I’m supportive. I think they've done a great job in designing something that's compatible.”
Commissioners unanimously gave the request a favorable recommendation, and it will move forward to the April 6 McKinney City Council meeting for their consideration.
