Two-minute impact
The development, located on approximately 0.3 acres at North Coleman Street and East Sixth Street, consists of a two-story building with office space and storefront on the first floor and four multifamily housing units on the second floor.
Having residential on top of retail spaces is a new concept for Prosper but could work well with the downtown area, council member Charles Cotten said.
“Personally, I think it's a great opportunity for the downtown area to have retail with residential on top,” Cotten said. “[It’s] very, very difficult to get that pulled off in very many places.”
Zooming out
Choosing which projects to bring downtown will decide what the area will become when Prosper “grows up,” Mayor David Bristol said.
“We’re searching for that next step in downtown development,” he said.
Some council members said they were concerned about the development’s proximity to the residential spaces behind it. Plans include an 8-foot-high fence and trees to act as a barrier, Development Services Director David Hoover said.
Another concern brought forward by council members was a lack of parking spaces for both residential and retail spaces. Plans show 19 spaces with another three expected once Coleman Street construction, which will not finish for at least four years, adds street parking.
“This [Coleman Street project] is not anticipated before 2028-2030,” council member Amy Bartley said.
Residents living at the development could potentially be required to park their cars in the provided residential garages instead of using them for storage space, Bartley said.
The permitted uses allowed at the property include craft stores, bakeries, beauty salons, florists, second-floor multifamily units, trophy sales, offices and more. As of March 26, only office spaces are expected for the first floor, according to a meeting presentation.
Bartley said she would prefer salons not be permitted at the location to avoid potential overflow parking in nearby neighborhoods.
Going forward
Council members are expected to discuss the development again during an April 16 meeting. If approved, the project would still need to submit a development agreement, which can include additional provisions set by council and town staff, Hoover said.
“There’s been a lot of other council members [that have] come before me that had great advice to make sure that you wait for what's right,” council member Marcus Ray said. “It's hard to say—this may be the right thing, I just don't know that we're there yet with all of the pushback.”
Council and staff will continue going over project details ahead of the April 16 meeting, Ray said.
