Planning is underway for a new retail building and day care facility located at the southwest corner of Virginia Parkway and Jordan Road.
Current situation
McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval of a zoning request for the development during a Feb. 10 meeting. Commission Chair Deidre Woodard and commission member Charles Wattley opposed the motion to approve.
The action will be forwarded to McKinney City Council for final action March 3, according to a city document.
If approved by council members, nearly 6 acres would be rezoned as a “C2” commercial district. City Planner Jake Bennett said the zoning designation is a “mid-level” commercial district that allows for sit-down restaurants, retail and office uses.
City staff are recommending approval of the request because it meets the intent of McKinney’s comprehensive plan and will reflect commercial development at the intersection’s other corners.
“Other corners of this intersection are zoned for commercial uses and many of these properties follow the same development regulations as the proposed C2 district,” Bennett said. “The proposed zoning also meets the intent of the [comprehensive] plan, as this area is designated as a neighborhood commercial place type.”
Zooming in
Bob Manaois with RKM Engineers spoke on behalf of the applicant during the meeting. Plans for the site include a 14,630-square-foot day care facility and a 22,400-square-foot building with restaurant and retail uses, according to a letter of intent.
According to a site plan submitted to the city, the retail building is planned to front the corner of Virginia Parkway and South Jordan Road. The day care facility will be located south of the retail building along Jordan Road.
Manaois said project officials are working with city staff on preparing a flood impact study to ensure development will not negatively impact an adjacent floodplain. The property is adjacent to a floodplain and trails for Bonnie Wenk Park, according to the city document.
What they’re saying
Woodard and Wattley dissented after echoing a resident’s concern about traffic along Jordan Road. Gary Davis, who resides on Rock Hill Road, said he thinks a traffic study needs to be conducted because the developer is planning for three traffic outlets directly on Jordan.
“That’s my concern is the three outlets because you’re going to be dumping 6 acres worth of people ... out onto Jordan at a major intersection,” he said. “Everybody wants to get home with the least amount of stress and in the most efficient time possible, and I’m not sure that that’s been looked at.”
Bennett said he believes a traffic impact analysis won’t be required for the development because it’s “relatively small.” There will be road improvements along Jordan Road, such as adding right-turn lanes leading up to the development entrances, he said.
Woodard said she agreed with Davis’s comments and that she wasn’t sure the new development would "positively impact the current traffic situation.” She said she does believe a traffic study is warranted.
