Richardson City Plan Commission Meeting December 19th, 2023
Six of the seven regular commissioners are present, Vice-Chair Southard, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Costantino, Commissioner Keller, Commissioner Walraven, and Commissioner Bohnsack. No alternates are present. Chairman Marsh is absent. As such, Vice-Chair Southard leads the meeting.
Minutes of the previous meeting are approved unanimously.
The highlight of this meeting is a public hearing on ZF 23-26, a rezoning request for a five-story multifamily planned development at 2520 N. Central Expy. Staff provides a background of the request. This development plans to have 390 units. No correspondence has been received related to the request. The applicant steps to the podium to present their plans. The developer, JLB, also has five existing apartment developments in the Cityline neighborhood. Commissioner Roberts asks what the target rent price is. The applicant answers that it will range from $1,575 to $2,750. The applicant highlights the connection to transit stations and local trails.
One public speaker, a neighboring property owner, supports the request after seeing the presentation. Most of the commissioners comment in agreement that this would be the best and highest use for this property. The concept plan for the exterior of the parking garage includes two options. The first is the applicant’s request to install lighting sconces. The second is staff’s recommendation to install vertical louvers. Initially, Commissioner Walraven moves to recommend approval with the applicant’s requested lighting sconce plan with Commissioner Costantino seconding. Vice-Chair Southard is concerned that would not allow Council to see staff’s recommendation for the garage exterior lighting plan. Development Services Director Sam Chavez suggests a clarified motion recommending approval with the staff-recommended vertical louvers. Sam states that this would still allow the applicant to include their preferred plan in the presentation to Council. Commissioner Walraven amends the motion to reflect Sam’s recommendation. The motion passes unanimously, and the meeting adjourns. Council will consider this request on January 8th.