What happened?
McKinney City Council members approved two zoning requests during a Dec. 2 meeting for about 68 acres of land near the corner of Laud Howell Parkway and Trinity Falls Parkway. The two requests were companions that will allow for development of a “major hospital and medical complex,” said Bob Roeder of McKinney-based law firm Abernathy Roeder Boyd Hullett, representing the project applicant.
“This is filling a big need,” Roeder said of the incoming hospital.
City staff recommended approval of both zoning requests citing the future development would further commercial development in the area, according to a city document. McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the zoning requests in November.
The details
The new hospital was named Texas Health McKinney in a letter of intent submitted to the city. A conceptual stacking plan included in the letter shows a first phase with a five-story hospital featuring an emergency department, surgery space, women’s services floor and 60 inpatient beds.
More phases could eventually build the hospital up to 12 stories and another medical office building, according to the plan. The new zoning establishes a maximum building height of 210 feet, or 12 stories.
Another zoning request north of the proposed hospital location will allow development of apartments at a maximum of 50 units per acre. Other zoning exceptions requested would change screening requirements on a portion of the property, as well as allowing required trees to be placed along pedestrian paths near the hospital.
What they’re saying
Council member Geré Feltus said it “speaks to the tremendous growth” that there is need for a third hospital even with expansions underway at Medical City McKinney and Baylor Scott & White.
Council member Patrick Cloutier said it was insightful to plan for a multifamily component next to the hospital so that future employees could potentially live there. The new hospital will also serve communities and cities to the north.
“This is sorely needed and hospitals are magnificent assets to our cities with the educated, wonderful, involved workforce that they bring,” Cloutier said.
