Richardson city officials have big plans for what they envision as the "premier tech hub of Texas," a future 1,200-acre transit-oriented development just east of US 75. But to bring the vision to life, the city must first rezone the area. 

Rules that govern land use, parking requirements, development standards and signage in the area must be tailored to accomplish what the city has in mind for the Collins-Arapaho Innovation District, an area roughly contained by US 75, Campbell Road, Plano Road and Apollo Drive.

The rezoning process kicked off in March and should be complete by the end of this year, according to Mark Bowers, lead consultant with Kimley-Horne, the firm overseeing the rezoning process. Over the next nine months, while consultants and city staff are working to draft an amended zoning ordinance for the area, there will also be several opportunities for engagement with business and property owners in the area as well as the community in general.

"It's very important that [business and property owners] understand the process and the implications of the new ordinance and that they are weighing in ... on what their concerns are so we can do everything we can to accommodate that as we go through the process," Bowers said. 

The first round of individual and small-group meetings with area stakeholders is happening throughout April and will pick up again in mid-August, Bowers said.

A two-day community workshop will be held June 13-14 at 1302 Collins Blvd., Richardson, a city-owned property where a popup demonstration will show what amenities along Duck Creek could provide once rezoning is complete.

A similar popup demonstration will happen in mid-August to show what a potential realignment of Greenville Avenue could look like from Campbell to Jackson Street. The new alignment would include one less lane of traffic and is intended to improve connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists. Consultants will also test a temporary, muraled crosswalk at Greenville to connect with Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Arapaho Center Station.

A public hearing for and potential adoption of the area's new zoning ordinance is tentatively scheduled for council's Nov. 11 meeting.