[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6698157,"mediaKeyId","2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529","parentId",2109184,"title","Council approves Masorah High School for Girls with condition requiring larger gate opening to storm shelter","audioSeconds",690,"startMs",7687000,"endMs",8377000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529&start=7687&end=8377","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529/thumbnail_7687000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6698157/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-Masorah-High-School-for-Girls-with-condition-requiring-larger-gate-opening-to-storm-shelter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698157-5038812eeb4f75cf79d965e550c9b8bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437866&Signature=Qe-dHHmDdbxRRi7HvwlaCMD50UcxqtnEdYjSnZ~NR6u6xEPycQmDCAtyzpbfCe5aHmdLfH0OiwSlaAoUDrjbIBZ8hv3ALdEjrFPs9lKRbs0JPHLDjjt~ABR7YK1OBXp5h0bmxQmVMoqpiOv0XJs1FCPuUWSkEccf-pohkT9yoFxrpoYNutrHiZ6zU3T3xsDb94YdMZeJzsGM-P~~PM46tzYM0b8QYWUP537gbrhNwNwXqmiMp-gY5jXVZUmvqbbUyqhTpW8tAEcqPTqXWsVDGYOGOCzk2IkhR4KYgMx5m3VtxJspI7n1eAgXAM-MxPeYmGwKbBAns1LCLc0WimrQbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richardson","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Richardson City Council unanimously approved a special permit allowing Masorah High School for Girls to relocate into an existing 23,500‑square‑foot building at 21101 Waterview Parkway, with a council condition that the fence/gate provide at least a 6‑foot opening to allow timely access to a required storm shelter.

Proposal and site: Senior planner Derek Peters said the property is an existing office building in the Lenox Centre office area northwest of Campbell Road and Waterview Parkway and that the building has been home to training and nursing programs; the applicant seeks to occupy the full building for a private girls’ high school with college‑preparatory academics and Judaic studies. The site has two driveways (Waterview and Johnson Boulevard), about 195 existing parking spaces, and abuts the UTD campus and other institutional uses.

Storm shelter and fence question: Schools are required to provide a storm shelter. The applicant proposed a tested prefabricated shelter (800 square feet, roughly 10 feet high) sited near Johnson Boulevard because underground utilities and easements preclude placing the shelter in several other locations staff reviewed. Architect Dale Rhodes and the applicant’s team presented a landscape‑screening plan intended to hide the shelter from view on Johnson Boulevard and said the shelter could be finished in darker materials and surrounded by mature shrubs to reduce visibility.

Council concerns and condition: Several councilmembers expressed concern about the distance students would walk across the site in heavy rain or hail to reach the shelter and about gate size for emergency egress and accessibility. Don Goldstein (school board chair) and Rabbi Barry Kosowski (head of school) said security and student safety are priorities and that the school would work with the city to provide adequate egress; the applicant committed to accommodate additional egress capacity and to adjust gate dimensions if needed. Councilmember Alexander moved to approve the special permit with a condition that the gate provide at least a 6‑foot opening to access the shelter; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Other details: The school expects to start at roughly 60 students and project growth toward 90–120 over time; the ICC‑500 standard for exterior storm shelters—which the applicant cited—permits up to 1,000‑foot travel distance but recommends shorter walk times; the applicant said the proposed shelter location is roughly 214 feet from the building and meets the standard. Staff said if the school later exceeds the shelter’s approved occupancy rating it will need to provide an additional shelter or otherwise comply with code. The applicant also agreed to return with any substantive site amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richardson - City Council - Jan 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Richardson City Council unanimously approved a special permit allowing Masorah High School for Girls to relocate into an existing office building at 21101 Waterview Parkway, with a council condition that the fence/gate provide at least a 6‑foot opening to allow timely access to a required storm shelter.","taxTitle","Richardson, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2786,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698171,"Council adopts Richardson Aquatics Master Plan after staff presentation; vote 6‑1",6908,253000,7161000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529&start=253&end=7161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529/thumbnail_253000.jpg","/articles/6698171/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-adopts-Richardson-Aquatics-Master-Plan-after-staff-presentation-vote-61","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698171-ba097a752377be6fb16f9e4136ed639b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437866&Signature=FyfEo6-dJPfh7DNt4CZS7c~LmO89wxUyLU~mw4nT49MNBJrnOPR1~viZ-z6fOktavMDR1RcOwB2leBJ-kBpntcclHpqB2oVOBwi76hVMfCYzaoFebTdNYztjht7VOqONyOAY05jO9nlSoQDqBF1PpmQg9HwWYaC54~zMHL96sl8VTr2ACvicq3p4BC8Tm97Zw5zjwnrhaxG5Racy1qf6PkXQqVZ5EY-P3qqCgdpGXrmKAA0cgxQq1oS~pPjJBlaCJ~0rvitv3plUTmxMSV3GMrBfk48kz4pEUQap2d7Kw4skyLeBMwZ42qRPwyzAmjFOb-gZkQp2KhyQSt8e9WkzHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richardson officials adopted the final draft of the Richardson Aquatics Master Plan during the council meeting after staff summarized changes and explained three alternatives for future pool investments and amenities.

Parks staff summarized options C1, C2 and C3, highlighting changes made since the last briefing. All options call for a refresh of the Heights Family Aquatic Center and for spray grounds at Cottonwood and Terrace; the differences focus on which existing pools are refreshed versus converted and whether new indoor facilities are added. Option C1 keeps Canyon Creek as either a spray ground or a refreshed pool and adds an outdoor community pool at Apollo; option C2 is identical but makes Polo Road an indoor/outdoor pool; option C3 adds an indoor pool and a 30,000‑square‑foot recreation center at Breckenridge (staff noted the recreation center capital cost is separate from aquatics operations and that operating cost/revenue projections in the plan cover aquatics only).

Key figures and clarifications: Staff said the higher construction cost estimate for a Canyon Creek spray ground is roughly $2,500,000 while a Canyon Creek pool refresh was estimated about $1,800,000; staff explained that operating cost recovery differs between options because an indoor/outdoor pool requires year‑round operation and higher operating expenses.

Why it matters: The plan sets a multi‑year strategy to renovate the Heights facility before the 2026 season and to prioritize other sites for future capital and bond consideration. Staff said final funding strategies for Heights will be refined in FY 2025 and FY 2026.

Council action: The plan was adopted on the consent agenda after council discussion. Council approved the plan 6–1; Councilmember Ernesto Barrios voted no and explained he could not support adoption because he believed the comparative data used to justify leaving Canyon Creek as an option was not presented on an equivalent basis to other sites. Staff and other councilmembers said the plan incorporates feedback and that some issues (funding sequencing and final site designs) will return as staff develops implementation steps.

What’s next: Staff will finalize funding strategies for the Heights Aquatic Center in FY 2025–26 with the stated goal of completing renovations before the 2026 season. The adopted plan will guide capital‑budget prioritization and future bond considerations.","After staff presented three options and answered council questions about costs and operating‑cost recovery, the city council adopted the Richardson Aquatics Master Plan on the consent agenda; one councilmember dissented, citing concerns about comparative data and Canyon Creek options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698177,"Council continues public hearing on proposed 38‑unit townhome development at 601 E. Main",5604,636000,6240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529&start=636&end=6240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529/thumbnail_636000.jpg","/articles/6698177/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-continues-public-hearing-on-proposed-38unit-townhome-development-at-601-E-Main","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698177-c9025f67db4dd65eb320858081abc768/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437866&Signature=F-cH-ggPtHxMmTYq~2cxyazSDr1o6xpH9BqswN5NirJLEyl780DkFctPGXaS93x7EWZ-tm2-EeoyUbxtZ-fCPSbNYqSwxBLu67xXcthaf-DHZcjwZca9s-1biTsDjo7OGImzMwFwlqyxJoUuoGYxW4kElc7FtA3oszGfpR~M4UzfJq5h5Ww-psBpY2Ai22Ya9U8NZ36uL8hVf9qxTl-k~wU9oCkk06WnejMvu16w3poo7JaL98P4iOt45YcbyLhnY9EdnJW7krROTUngXq0xTokLDRkuqFFuiQqq3V0r-oBsfj9vDAfpFxnSdfWuVLEZvw9rqtFZQ7WSBex3Sy0zrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson City Council continued the public hearing on zoning file 2424, a request to rezone about 4.08 acres at 601 East Main Street for a planned‑development townhome project with 38 units, after residents raised concerns about density and tree loss and councilmembers pressed the applicant on design and parking.

City senior planner Derek Peters summarized the application, saying the site — the former church parcel — is currently zoned R1500 temporary residential and the applicant seeks a PD to allow six buildings with rear‑alley garages, a new internal street (Valencia Drive) and 38 units. Peters said the developer proposes a minimum unit size of 2,000 square feet, two‑story buildings up to about 30 feet, alley access to two‑car garages, and one guest parking space per unit. A trip‑generation memo estimated roughly 18 additional morning trips and 22 evening trips; staff said no traffic improvements are warranted now but the applicant agreed to dedicate right‑of‑way for a future right‑turn lane at Grove and Main.

Why it matters: Neighbors and councilmembers said the case raises tradeoffs common to Richardson infill — tree preservation, building scale, driveway and parking impacts on nearby streets, and whether the project fits the character of the Highland Terrace neighborhood. Several residents said they want fewer units and stronger tree protections; the applicant and staff said the project preserves many perimeter trees, will meet the city’s new tree protection ordinance, and that the concept responds to the Envision Richardson comprehensive plan's “missing middle” guidance.

Council and applicant discussion, briefly: Council members asked about lot coverage and setbacks; Peters noted the applicant seeks exceptions to standard townhome zoning including smaller side yards (5 feet requested instead of 10) and up to seven units in some buildings (the fire marshal reviewed access and raised no objection). The applicant, engineer Jim Dewey, said the design was revised after staff review to an “enclave” layout with rear alleys to reduce curb cuts on Main Street and to preserve interior trees where feasible. Dewey and the applicant noted they will plant larger (6‑inch caliper) shade trees as mitigation and that the developer agreed to a masonry screen wall along Main Street after comments at the Planning and Zoning meeting.

Public comment: Two neighbors spoke during the hearing representing Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association. Sarah Marcellus Luganville, a neighborhood board member, said the proposal “does not align with who we are” and urged the council to reject the current plan and ask the developer to work with neighbors on a less intensive design. Tony Palagonia, who said he has been active in neighborhood preservation for decades, argued the proposal’s unit count is the central problem and said the association thought the developer had not meaningfully engaged the broader community.

Outcome and next steps: Councilmember Roger Ryder moved to continue the public hearing to Feb. 3 to give the applicant and neighborhood more time to meet and try to resolve outstanding concerns; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The case will return to council on Feb. 3 for further action unless the applicant files a different concept (which would require re‑notice and additional review).","The Richardson City Council continued the public hearing on a request to rezone 4.08 acres at 601 East Main Street for a 38‑unit townhome development after extensive neighborhood comment and council questions; the case was continued to Feb. 3 to allow additional meetings between the applicant and neighborhood.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698160,"Council approves special permit for Pillars childcare at 3501 Murphy Road with enrollment cap of 248",76,7478000,7554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529&start=7478&end=7554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529/thumbnail_7478000.jpg","/articles/6698160/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-special-permit-for-Pillars-childcare-at-3501-Murphy-Road-with-enrollment-cap-of-248","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698160-03b09d26e9b4426cab01c659cf1f905d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437866&Signature=odhEfrjFhXyT0y7D4O5bSAOQLAhthpYN2hwzESRh8ndc~H7ADR0o8-Uv~TuiNZx4zjD9sNl-ypWELvzOhaSjb6zlTf~~GEAjspTz4MEM4W3b4yPuBK~dFa5vtV95f-wjWCQuAlwApSlaacdexr1EB~owK1GWW30VNUqHTBIFm7BPQd8B-ja63GqsVeDp2B4i8R7eFUqZW63-d-e8QenqvaezVCzWLqB2VeXOxc0JnYieXoTKcmRskf1JeoikbhRcQ~EE6KgRbxk4GXG6XQfeyweL43NbIUMKXZHiwxDOIE17QqLBW~Q1JNsxYLAXvZlfUxHCjtmmZLp5lILJCIoiaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson City Council unanimously approved zoning file 2429, granting a special permit for Pillars Childcare to operate at 3501 Murphy Road with a maximum enrollment of 248 children from newborn to 12 years old.

Background and site: Amber Poland of planning staff said the site is an existing child‑care facility built in 1998 and formerly permitted to operate as the Whistle Stop Child Care Center. The property sits within a planned development district and is surrounded by residential uses on three sides; the site has an established drop‑off staging and three outdoor play areas sized and separated by age group.

Applicant and operations: Amy Ayers, representing Pillars, said the operator is requesting a special permit because ownership and operator have changed; staff noted the site has previously been used as a child‑care center and staff identified no active complaints about past operations. The permit application requests an enrollment cap of 248 (the state maximum under current rules for the site and layout), and staff included standard conditions: the permit is tied to the submitted site plan, is limited to Pillars Childcare as operator, requires any necessary building permits and a certificate of occupancy, and fixes the enrollment at 248 unless the applicant returns for additional approvals.

Planning review and public comment: The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on Dec. 3; staff reported no public comments at commission and no complaints about prior operation. Council voted to grant the special permit with the listed conditions.

What’s next: Pillars must obtain any required building permits and a certificate of occupancy and operate within the 248‑child enrollment limit and the approved site plan.","The council unanimously approved a special permit allowing Pillars Childcare to operate at the existing 3.1‑acre facility at 3501 Murphy Road with a maximum enrollment of 248 and standard conditions tying the permit to the site plan, the operator, and required building permits.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698166,"Council approves 36‑unit townhome plan near East Belt Line and Jupiter",1112,6288000,7400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529&start=6288&end=7400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109184-3acb63457f39e602c9d4bfec27444529/thumbnail_6288000.jpg","/articles/6698166/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-36unit-townhome-plan-near-East-Belt-Line-and-Jupiter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698166-a30011ae14250079d2154449f0cac1b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437866&Signature=F4KYA~VSnq-wt3QMYTRovJZvRoy9yERGQpwgJlcGQt9va18n7D3EDzjrYhKt9AngoreJUidsrGAlrQ1tjwm466RzVntEeF95JOktfN6yYP0cVvws-IZ56fjEmJmBXEXb1M~5OVfh4YFW6JShFWBQ9Uc60V8qo7BZNyNK165fbsr8QksC6kCGzkvEisIZDCya0SjUyWwCKkJUDH2RCV7u1~P53e02omtLqg66tHDI4hi4s-ZGI3doerZagicDFbyeSGmvoDlo4jU8~10l4T3xlp8hUtiYLlMdXzwnV2hbHndd7-Ra4M0Fvrx-5eDoQxo-Z~EAniSfeEbeIccTDxOLRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson City Council voted unanimously to approve zoning file 2428, a planned‑development rezoning to allow 36 townhome units on about 3 acres northwest of East Belt Line Road and Jupiter Road.

Senior planner Derek Peters said the property is currently zoned local retail and will be accessed from an existing private street that runs between the subject parcel and an adjacent condominium community (Millwood Creek Condominiums). The applicant’s concept shows nine buildings and a mix of orientations; guest parking is proposed at a rate of 0.5 spaces per unit and units are intended to be narrower with lot depths of about 45 feet (the standard townhome lot depth is typically 70 feet).

Key site features and conditions: Peters said the development will include sidewalks and an internal circulation network that connects to Jupiter Road, a widened driveway opening on Belt Line, and a modification to the median to allow eastbound left turns into the site. Because the private street adjacent to the development is a mutual access easement owned by the Millwood Creek Condominium Association, the HOA asked for a restricted gate that would prevent pass‑through traffic; the applicant agreed to the HOA’s requested gate. The applicant requested exceptions for smaller lot depths and three‑story buildings up to about 45 feet; staff noted the site abuts apartment zoning and is not within 150 feet of single‑family zoning, so the height proposed is consistent with the code for non‑single‑family adjacencies.

Public process and review: Staff said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on Dec. 3. The council approved the rezoning with conditions that will be memorialized in the PD ordinance and with the HOA’s restricted‑access gate as a required element of the final development.

What happens next: The applicant will finalize engineering, the developer will construct required access modifications on Belt Line (at the developer’s expense), and the PD standards will be attached to the site development permits.","The council unanimously approved a PD to build 36 townhome units on about 3 acres northwest of Belt Line Road and Jupiter; the development will use a private access drive, a restricted gate at the mutual access easement and several requested exceptions to standard townhome dimensional rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Masorah High School for Girls with condition requiring larger gate opening to storm shelter

Council adopts Richardson Aquatics Master Plan after staff presentation; vote 6‑1

Council continues public hearing on proposed 38‑unit townhome development at 601 E. Main

Council approves special permit for Pillars childcare at 3501 Murphy Road with enrollment cap of 248

Council approves 36‑unit townhome plan near East Belt Line and Jupiter