At their Sept. 2 meeting, Plano Planning and Zoning commissioners voted to call a public hearing for items tied to a proposal to redevelop the former Plano Athletic Center site, which closed June 30, into a new Watermere senior living facility.
What you need to know
The proposed project would be a new Watermere independent living and active adult facility, similar to locations in Frisco and McKinney.
Trevor Armstrong, development manager for Integrated Real Estate Group, said the team has met with nearby business owners and homeowners associations since spring and held a community meeting in May, and they have not received any opposition to the changes.
Under Plano’s zoning ordinance, all property owners within a planned development district must consent to changes to the district.
With the public hearing now authorized, property owners within 200 feet of the zoning district and residential neighborhoods up to 500 feet away will be formally notified.
Zooming in
Integrated Real Estate Group, a Southlake-based company that builds and manages senior housing across Texas, is seeking to amend the planned development district that covers 108 acres at the southeast corner of Park Boulevard and Preston Road.
While not previously an allowed use, development changes brought on by Senate Bill 840 would allow the independent living facility in the space by right.
Assistant Director of Planning Michael Bell said the project still requires a zoning change, however, due to the proposed height of the development.
“It would be a zoning change either way under the current law or the new law,” Bell said.
Looking ahead
A public hearing date has not been set, and the developer plans to submit their formal zoning application Sept. 8, according to city documents.
