At Monday’s City Council meeting, Plano council members unanimously approved an amendment to the city's comprehensive zoning ordinance to rezone a piece of agricultural land to planned development. The planned development will occur at the northeast corner of Jupiter Road and Los Rios Boulevard near Oak Point Nature and Retreat Center.

The Meadows at Plano will include 22 single-family residences located at the northeast corner of Jupiter Road and Los Rios Boulevard.[/caption]

This amendment allows for the development of 22 single-family residences. Plans for the development, named The Meadows at Plano, also requested modified development standards to accommodate the proposed homes' lot sizes. Current restrictions in this area include a minimum lot width of 65 feet for interior lots and 70 feet for corner lots, as well as a minimum lot depth of 100 feet and a minimum interior lot side yard of 6.5 feet or 10 percent of the lot width, whichever is greater. Applicant Shahid Rasul requested a minimum lot width of 50 feet with a minimum lot depth of 90 feet and minimum interior lot side yard of 5 feet.

“Because of the dimensions of the property in that area, it’s difficult for them to meet the lot width and depth of a standard single-family ... zoning district,” Plano Planning Director Christina Day said. “So that’s why those changes are requested.”

Rasul also committed to build a 6-foot masonry wall built along Los Rios Boulevard and Jupiter Road to be maintained by the homeowners association, which is not currently a requirement by the district.

All other items approved by the Plano City Council include:

• The nomination of J.C. Penney to the Office of the Governor Economic Development. The company is seeking funding to help pay for major renovations and updates to its Plano headquarters.


• Adoption of a resolution approving a development agreement between the city of Plano and the Plano Housing Corporation for the construction of certain public infrastructure improvements near the 13th and 14th Connector and F Ave., including new sidewalks, streetlights, among others. Improvements are for the Artist Lofts, a 224-unit multifamily development that will include open space and public art plazas as well as a community center and swimming pool.


• Funding for the Historic Downtown Plano Association’s valet program, totaling $62,000, which was taken out the Downtown Plano Public Improvement District.


• Renewal of Plano Fire-Rescue’s contract with the city of Richardson to use its fire training center.