The McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a specific-use permit (SUP) for a proposed 7‑Eleven and fuel station at the northeast corner of Hardin Boulevard and FM 543, imposing conditions to reduce impacts on nearby residences.

Staff planner Jake Bennett recommended denial, saying the planned fuel dispensers are approximately 180 feet from adjacent residential property lines while the Unified Development Code requires 250 feet for the use to be permitted by right. Bennett told commissioners staff favored locating the use on one of the other undeveloped corners of the intersection to avoid residential adjacency.

Applicant Austin Navarette, representing the developer and citing 7‑Eleven’s local development experience, told the commission the developer has negotiated cross‑access and easement arrangements with the seller and plans elevated building materials, masonry screening and down‑shielded lighting. Navarette said the site would use masonry materials, a masonry-and-iron screen with masonry columns or a full masonry wall and would add shrubs and temporary landscaping where needed. He also said the operation would include multi-pump dispensers (six dispensers, 12 fueling positions).

Resident Ethan McPeek, whose home faces the site, said he had no immediate opposition to the use but asked for screening to limit headlight glare and visual impacts on nearby homes. Bennett and the applicant said lighting would be down‑shielded and designed to meet 0.0 foot‑candles at the property line and that temporary landscape screening could be provided on the applicant’s property until long‑term development of adjacent commercial parcels occurs.

Several commissioners said they were comfortable approving the SUP with conditions that address the short‑term impacts. Commissioner Meutner made a motion to recommend approval conditioned on a solid masonry wall along the north property line and additional temporary vegetative screening along the east property edge; Commissioner Lebo seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7‑0. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council for final action (meeting date not specified in the transcript).