The gist
Plano Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the new zoning and concept plan for the redevelopment, coined The Bend, during its Feb. 3 meeting.
The redevelopment was initially approved last February, and included demolition of the northern half of the mall, between anchor stores Neiman-Marcus and Dillard’s, according to city documents.
The mall’s third anchor store, Macy’s, announced in January that its Plano location, along with 65 other locations, would be closing this year. Developer Centennial reworked the plan to now demolish the southern half of the mall, including Macy’s, preserving the section from Neiman-Marcus to Dillard’s.
“It did give us reason to pause and rethink our strategy,” said Michael Platt, Centennial executive vice president of mixed-use development. “I think you’ll see an updated plan that makes a lot of sense.”
What else?
The new plan also includes the addition of 50 townhomes at the corner of Plano Parkway and Chapel Hill Boulevard. Single-family villas, similar to the Villas at Legacy West, were also added as an allowed use in the project’s zoning.
The new single-family residential units will not increase the total number of residential units allowed on the site and will be included in the initially approved maximum of 965.
Additionally, the site’s open space plan has been updated.
The development will still be required to have 10 acres of open space, but the largest contiguous parcel of open space will now be required to be 1.5 acres instead of 2 acres. The initial concept plan called for 2 acres of interior open space in the southern portion of the mall, which is now set to be demolished, Plano Senior Planner Molly Coryell said.
Quote of note
“We really need to reimagine what this asset needs to be so it’s not as anchor reliant,” Platt said. “A regional shopping center is really an insular construct—I think what you’re seeing on the page is something that is stitched into the community.”
What’s next
Plano City Council will consider the new plan for final approval at a future meeting.
