The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of updated planned development stipulations, including the requirement of at least 25% of the property being open space, by a 6-2 vote during its April 15 meeting. Commissioners Gary Cary and Michael Bronsky voted against recommending approval.
The context
According to city documents, planned development stipulations were put in place to maintain a park-like setting and a similar density to that of a townhome neighborhood for the property that is now home to the Legends at Chase Oaks apartment complex. The proposed density can be as high as 12 units per acre, which is below other neighboring apartment complexes, Farahnik said.
In 2020, StarPoint Properties, a California-based real estate firm, requested to add 124 additional multifamily units, add more amenities and renovate existing apartments, which was rejected by council. A similar request with slight changes to building setbacks and the amenities was rejected by council again in 2022, per city documents.
Bronsky said he agreed with concerns in the staff report to the commission that raised concerns about tying investment into existing apartments with being able to add 70 new units to the project.
“I don’t feel confident that this developer is going to continue to do that when they’ve got garage doors painted three different colors, buildings that are struggling [and] parking covers that are dented in,” Bronsky said. “This place could be a lot better today without adding anything additional.”
The details
Michael Farahnik, executive vice president of leasing and risk management at StarPoint Properties , said the development of the property has focused on primarily adding two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, which are more geared toward families. That type of housing inventory is missing in the area, he added.
The company also plans to add two dog parks, expand the current clubhouse and renovate existing units as part of its $25 million to $30 million redevelopment effort.
“It’s an older stock, so we need to start upgrading a lot of the units we have at this point,” Farahnik said. “One of the things that we are going to be doing is upgrading all of our units once we can get our crews in there to build these 70 units.”
What’s next?
The zoning case will head to council, which will be able to approve the project, deny the rezoning request or send it back to the planning and zoning commission.
