The plan would include a “community-driven vision” for redevelopment while identifying challenges and opportunities, according to a staff presentation. Ultimately, it could guide creation of a specific development code for development along the corridor.
“It looks at development patterns and land use and building form and transitions but on a much smaller geographic scale,” McKinney Planning Manager Hayley Angel said. “That allows a much more fine-tuned perspective on either the unique challenges or visions for those areas.”
In a nutshell
Angel pitched the small area plan to council members during a Nov. 18 McKinney City Council work session. Some council members voiced support for the idea during the work session. City staff are expected to pursue funding for hiring a third-party consultant to complete the plan.
Council member Justin Beller said a small area plan is what SH 5 needs. The corridor has a lot of underutilized sites with old zoning and strange sizes. The area plan was a good step for the city if officials want the road to serve as a “more used destination route for downtown.”
“We end up with the same product type over and over again because of where those mix,” he said. “So finding new ideas, setting a new vision and finding the tools to do that I think is a good step for us.”
The details
City officials are pursuing the plan in light of McKinney’s comprehensive plan that was adopted in 2018. The plan recommended consideration of a specific development code for desired development patterns along the SH 5 corridor, according to a city document.
Angel said the small area plan would likely examine the corridor on the north and south sides of the McKinney Town Center district.
“You’ll go in with a rough idea, but as you go through the plan process, it usually becomes more solidified,” Angel said of the geographic scope.
The plan could include multiple components including a market assessment, community engagement with stakeholders and an implementation plan, according to Angel’s presentation.
“Ultimately we need implementation efforts to guide us in actually achieving the vision itself,” she said.
Staff estimate the plan could cost between $200,000-$300,000 which would cover the cost of hiring a consultant to work with the city, Angel said.
