Richardson City Plan Commission Meeting June 17th, 2025
Here’s this week’s podcast summary: AI Podcast (Please note that AI typically has some inaccuracies. Always verify anything you hear with the report below and official minutes from the meeting.)
Here's a bulleted mini summary. You’ll find the usual detailed report below.
The Richardson City Plan Commission reviewed a rezoning request (ZF 25-09) to demolish a vacant office building at 2180 N Glenville Dr. and construct a 42-foot-tall distribution warehouse.
This proposal contradicted the Future Land Use Plan, which designates the property for "Regional Employment" (primarily office use), and exceeded the current zoning's 25-foot height limit for single-story buildings.
The applicant argued the existing office building was "functionally obsolete" and required significant maintenance, suggesting the warehouse would attract tenants seeking modern industrial space, possibly with mezzanine offices.
Commissioners discussed concerns about setting a precedent that didn't align with the Comprehensive Plan and clarified landscape screening requirements for truck loading docks, to which the applicant agreed to a 6-foot berm and shrub screen.
Despite the conflict with existing plans, the City Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request, with a maximum building height of 45 feet and the agreed-upon landscape screening.
All seven regular commissioners are present. One alternate, Byron Purdy, is also present. Since eight are present, Commissioner Purdy will participate in discussion but not in voting.
Minutes of the May 6th meeting and May 20th work session are approved unanimously. (It’s been a while since I’ve written about a CPC meeting. The May 6th meeting was the last one that I summarized since the three-hour May 20th work session was not recorded. Here is a link to the presentation given on May 20th, which seems to mostly cover standard procedural training since this commission has several new members: https://www.cor.net/home/showpublisheddocument/43462/638834187578230000)
The only item on tonight’s agenda is a public hearing on ZF 25-09. This is a rezoning request for a warehouse planned development in an industrial zoning district at 2180 N Glenville Dr. This existing property currently has a two-story office building last occupied by AT&T. It is now vacant. The Future Land Use Plan calls for this to be a Regional Employment placetype. This placetype allows office as a primary use with numerous secondary uses such as multifamily or retail/restaurant. It does not call for industrial or warehouse use. The applicant is requesting to demolish the existing office building and build a distribution warehouse with a single story of 42 ft. Current zoning only allows a single floor to be a maximum of 25 ft. Thus, the request for an exception.
Staff presents a background of the request. Landscape screening would be required to screen the truck loading docks. No correspondence has been received regarding this request. Chair Marsh asks for specifics on the landscape screening. Staff answers that this would include earth-and-berm and shrubs. The applicant has requested to have the option of either planting 2 ft. tall shrubs for the entire length (150 ft.) or only six 6 ft. tall shrubs. Chair Marsh doesn’t see this as a sensible option. Staff acknowledges that only six shrubs would not effectively screen the area. Chair Marsh also acknowledges the difference between the existing zoning and what the Future Land Use Plan calls for. Chair Marsh accurately states that this use is not aligned with the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is also not zoning. Staff notes that they worked with the applicant to achieve a façade that mimics the look of an office building.
The applicant steps forward to present their request. They plan to remove the existing wrought iron fence. This fence was originally put up to keep cars from getting stolen according to the applicant. The applicant also states that the current building requires millions of dollars of maintenance. He also notes two companies, Assa Abloy and Amphenol, that moved to neighboring cities from Richardson. The applicant suggests that this was due to much of Richardson’s office space being “functionally obsolete”. The applicant states that all trees in the rear of the property will remain since they are in a drainage easement. The applicant expects to attract a tenant that would utilize mezzanine office space.
Commissioner Schascheck asks what mezzanine office space is. She also asks if warehouse is the type of product the applicant usually produces. The applicant answers that mezzanine office includes a steel structure to support a second-floor office. As we heard with the La Salsa Verde request, this applicant also answers that the difference between a mezzanine and a second floor is the lack of an elevator requirement. This kicks in when you build more than 3,000 sq. ft. of office space above the ground floor. The applicant also confirms that warehouse is their primary product as an investment group.
Commissioner Roberts asks how long buildout would take if approved. The applicant answers that this could go up in a year once approved. Commissioner Thomason asks if this would have a single tenant. The applicant answers that this could accommodate up to three tenants, but he expects this to go to a single tenant. Commissioner Thomason also asks how this will be financed. The applicant answers that this would be a roughly 55% loan-to-cost financed project. The landowner will also be an equity partner. The applicant expects any remaining financing needs to come from low-leverage non-recourse loans from banks. Commissioner Thomason also asks if they expect this to utilize any city incentives. The applicant answers that a prospective tenant may seek to utilize incentives for job creation.
Chair Marsh asks what the average rental rate for office space is in Richardson. The applicant answers that the rates they will seek for this project are likely to exceed the current rental rates on Richardson’s existing office space. It will exceed Class B office rates. Chair Marsh also asks for elaboration on the requested building height. The applicant answers that the interior clear height would be 32 ft. He also states that this is mostly with the capital market in mind for potential future investors. He isn’t wanting this clear height with a specific industrial tenant in mind. The applicant envisions trucks entering from Greenville. This project would have 22 loading docks.
No speakers are present for this hearing. Chair Marsh wants to clarify the landscape screening requirement. Staff suggests requiring a 6 ft. tall screening for the entire length of the loading docks through a combination of berm and shrubs. The applicant is agreeable to this. Commissioner Purdy wants to be mindful of what types of businesses/institutions could utilize the building being proposed. He would like to achieve something that could be used for entertainment or by a university if a tenant is not found. He also finds a way to bring up drones. Chair Marsh acknowledges that this could set a precedent for this area that does not align with what the Future Land Use Plan calls for.
Commissioner Quirk supports the request. Commissioner Schascheck sees this as good for growth. She supports the request. Commissioner Thomason thinks this will set a good precedent since it will replace an existing office building that can’t be used. The CPC unanimously recommends approval of the request with a maximum building height of 45 ft. and the landscape screening requirement recommended by staff. Meeting adjourned.