City staff presented the details of the Plano Tomorrow website, showcasing 15 videos truncating lengthy pages of the detailed report into a digestible format for Plano residents. The website is still in draft form and awaits final development, but is available for viewing at www.planotomorrow.org.

Plano Tomorrow Outreach

Over a 20-month period, 3,800 individuals participated in the drafting process by sharing feedback from 36 resident-led gatherings such as chamber of commerce and homeowner association meetings. City staff also hosted a virtual town hall, in which 275 residents participated by phone, in person and via social media. Surveys were also circulated at local festivals, through apartment outreach efforts, in water bill inserts and via advertising in local media to maximize participation.

Housing Data

The plan's potential housing report predicts an additional 9,328 housing units and a future population of approximately 300,000 residents. A mix of housing options will be recommended to accommodate this growth. Real estate broker and Plano resident Marvin Jolly spoke in support of diversity in housing.

"The demand for urban residential housing is three times that of single family [housing]," Jolly said.

Jolly also believed the tax base per square foot of land use would be beneficial to the city and taxpayers, as well as the quality of life benefits an urban residential approach would provide for growth.

Plano resident Judy Kendler spoke in opposition to high-density housing options, raising a concern for the lack of Plano ISD involvement regarding the zoning discussions. Planning and Zoning Commission First Vice Chair M. Nathan Barbera said he would also like to see a Plano ISD liaison working more closely with the zoning commission.

Housing & Neighborhood Services

City staff presented information on a potential rental inspection program slated for 2016, but that re-investment incentives for aging multi-family and retail commercial properties would be more immediate. In addition, more than $500,000 in vitality and beautification grants would become available to neighborhood groups through the plan.

Ongoing participation opportunities:

• P&Z public hearing: April 20*


• P&Z work session and public forum: June 29


• P&Z public hearing: July 20


• City council public hearing: Aug. 24

* The commission is not expected to make a request for adoption of the plan until its July 20 meeting, giving staff more time to prepare additional data results.