Zoning case for townhomes heads to McKinney City Council

The details

If approved, about 3.6 acres would be rezoned as a planned development that allows for development of townhomes. The land is currently zoned for office development, according to a city document.

City officials said plans were still conceptual but Affordable Housing Administrator Cristel Todd said they are looking to develop 20 townhomes on the property. If approved, the zoning would require about an acre of space dedicated to common areas with open space, according to the city document.

The zoning case was brought forward by the McKinney Housing Finance Corporation, a nonprofit arm of the city that aims to create affordable housing opportunities. Commission members considered the zoning case a week after Todd updated city officials on the Community Land Trust.

During a presentation to the commission, city planner Jake Bennett said staff were supportive of the rezone request.

“Staff believes that the proposed zoning is compatible with the surrounding area, aligns with the comprehensive plan and should not negatively impact the adjacent properties,” he said.

What they're saying

One person spoke during public comment before the commission voted. Resident Paul Lyman, who resides in the neighborhood directly west of the property and sits on its homeowners association board, voiced concerns about how water drainage could be impacted by development and design of the townhomes.

“Other than that, we all think this is a very beneficial project to use that property that’s been vacant since about 2005,” he said.

Todd said water drainage can be addressed.

"When you hear that that's one of the concerns is drainage, you can definitely address drainage," she said. "We're never going to go onto a property and do any harm to anyone next to us."