Consultants working on the updates to Richardson’s comprehensive plan provided an overview of the most recent public feedback ahead of the draft plan becoming available in October.

Richardson City Council and the city plan commission held a joint work session Aug. 12 to discuss some of the community feedback, including reinvestment areas and new housing options in parts of the city.

The overview

From the third community summits, which took place over the summer, various members of the community supported incorporating missing middle housing, such as duplexes or townhomes within future land use districts, said Mark Bowers, an urban design and practice planning builder at Kimley-Horn and Associates. Much of the recent work has centered about feedback on various place types in the community, such as neighborhoods or community commercial centers, and how different types of housing can be incorporated as the city redevelops.

“We’re saying to the development community, ‘these are things that we’re open to [or] curious about, bring us a proposal,’” City Manager Don Magner said. “Those are one-off actions unless you decide to do something through zoning action that would change that citywide.”


Several council members voiced their support of incorporating new housing options into future neighborhoods, citing the success in Duck Creek and other areas of Richardson.

“[Duplexes are] a great entry point into a neighborhood you might not otherwise be able to afford,” Council member Jennifer Justice said. “They are a great use and townhomes could be the same way.”

What else?

Additionally, council members and the city plan commission discussed five reinvestment areas, which were also discussed in April. Most of the current feedback revolved around lower-intensity housing, service and office uses, according to a presentation to council.


The five reinvestment zones include:
  • Areas along the intersection of North Plano Road and East Belt Line Road
  • Areas along East Belt Line Road near the intersection with Bowser Road
  • A corridor along West Campbell Road between Floyd Road and Custer Road
  • A corridor along West Arapaho Road between US 75 and Newberry Drive
  • A corridor along West Spring Valley Road between US 75 and Weatherred Drive
Bowers said the areas could be subject to further studies and action items after the comprehensive plan is adopted. The future land use and reinvestment districts are part of the comprehensive plan and outline the vision for areas, but are not the same as rezoning a property.

Looking ahead

Bowers said a draft version of the updated comprehensive plan is expected to be made public in early October. Council and the city plan commission are tentatively scheduled to hold a joint work session on the draft plan Oct. 21.

Per the presentation, the updated plan will likely be adopted in December after public hearings are held by council and the city plan commission.


Individuals wanting more information about the community feedback can visit the website dedicated to the comprehensive plan.