The details
Plano City Council voted 7-1 to approve the request at an Oct. 13 meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Maria Tu voting against the request.
The decision came after the Planning and Zoning Commission split 3-3 on motions both to approve and deny the request at its Sept. 15 meeting, resulting in no recommendation to council.
The request rezones 4.5 acres on the western side of Coit Marketplace from regional employment to regional commercial, allowing additional retail uses.
City staff recommended denying the request, citing concerns that adding new retail space could worsen the city’s existing oversupply of retail space.
The developer previously sought the same zoning change in 2021, but commissioners denied that request, according to city documents.
Some context
Planning Director Christina Day said staff aim to prioritize redevelopment of older shopping centers rather than creating new retail sites that could later decline.
“We’ve tried to avoid adding additional retail development in the city,” Day said. “We’re continuing to have to reinvest public funds in retail corners today. ... It’s new today, but it won’t be new tomorrow, so we’re just adding to that volume, and that’s the long-term concern.”
Plano officials launched the city’s retail revitalization grant program last year, which supports reinvesting in and upgrading existing retail properties across the city.
What they’re saying
Jackie Wolpert, a representative for applicant United Commercial Development, said the zoning change is needed to lease a vacant building on the site.
“We have a building that’s almost completely ready to be delivered to tenants, and we don’t have a lease signed yet,” Wolpert said. “Tenants that are interested in this ... fall under the regional commercial zoning, not under the regional employment zoning.”
Council member Rick Horne said the zoning change will not add to Plano’s excess retail space, as Coit Marketplace has enough demand to support additional tenants and drive growth.
“They’re meeting a need for the surrounding neighborhood," Horne said. “Who are we to restrict that demand if it’s there?”
One more thing
The city received several responses to the zoning request, with three nearby homeowners opposing the request, according to city documents.
