Plano City Council threw its weight behind several downtown Plano residential projects on Monday, approving a zoning change for a four-story townhouse development and issuing resolutions supporting several developer applications for affordable-housing tax credits. All eight council members voted in favor of the zoning change for the proposed 49-unit townhouse development. The housing concept would feature individual, attached townhouse units for sale, with each unit taking up four stories. Some of the first-floor spaces could be outfitted for retail or other commercial uses, a Texas InTown Homes representative told Plano Planning and Zoning Commission members in early January. The developer plans to add on-street public parking to H Avenue and additional visitor parking. The council on Monday also approved resolutions related to three affordable housing projects—including a total of 159 units for senior adults—as the developers apply for housing tax credits. The council issued a "resolution of no objection" for the application of the first of these properties, Gala at Premier, which would offer four market-rate units and 93 units for seniors who make no more than 60 percent of the area’s median income. It would be located northwest of Enterprise Drive and Premier Drive. Another property, Patriot Park Family, received full support from the council in a second resolution. The property, located northwest of G Avenue and 13th- and 14th Street connector, would have 28 market-rate units and 111 affordable-housing units for all ages. The council also approved a resolution of support for a third property, The Park on 14th, which would offer 66 affordable-housing units for senior adults. It would be located at the southwest corner of G Avenue and 14th Street.

Council prohibits use of groundwater under NTT Data property

Plano City Council on Monday also prohibited the use of contaminated groundwater under the NTT Data office building on Plano Parkway, a limited municipal step as the property’s former owner works with state regulators to address the problem. The groundwater underneath the former Dell Inc. property is considered unsafe for human consumption, but is not thought to pose a threat to the residential neighborhoods north of the property, according to an independent analysis commissioned by the city. The city has also expressed support for Dell’s application with the state for a municipal setting designation for the property.