Representatives from Halff Associates, an engineering consulting firm, held a public open house Thursday to provide information regarding the US 380 Overlay District Design Strategy. Last July, the city of Frisco contracted Halff Associates for a study that would lead to the adoption of an overlay district along the south side of US 380. There is currently almost no development on the south side of US 380 with the exception of some residential neighborhoods. An overlay district is a zoning district that is applied over one or more previously established zoning districts to establish more standards in addition to those of the underlying zoning district, according to city Planning Manager Anthony Satarino. The city of Frisco has a Preston Road overlay district and a Dallas North Tollway overlay district that were established in 2013. “The purpose of what we’re doing here is to evaluate whether there needs to be an overlay district for US 380,” Halff representative Christian Lentz said. “The study will be a guiding document to determine what kind of development needs to be along US 380.” The firm has been meeting with city officials and the US 380 District Design Strategy Advisory Committee for the last year gathering information to determine overall vision and goals. At the open house the representatives gave a presentation about the guiding principles in the study. The three principles are to have connected systems—walkability and placemaking—art and architecture, and preserving the natural systems. The study will work within a framework of existing plans and regulations established in the city’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan, 2016 Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan, future land use plans, zoning regulations and thorough standards. According to the firm and the city, the US 380 corridor represents 8.8 percent, or 1,189 acres, of the remaining undeveloped land in Frisco. This was the first open house for the US 380 overlay district but the US 380 District Design Strategy Advisory Committee will continue to meet with city staff and Halff Associates throughout the summer. The study will then be presented in the fall to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for approval. If approved, the city will have to amend current zoning ordinances to establish the overlay district, Satarino said.