Plano commission approves Legacy West changes: Water Street closed, new kiosks and large internal signs allowed

The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission on March 25 approved amendments to Planned Development (PD) 65 at Legacy West to close a portion of Water Street, add new open space and public art, and permit additional kiosks and inward-facing signage for the Legacy West mixed-use center.

The amendments increase the district's usable open space by converting the eastern segment of Water Street into an outdoor lawn and stage area, add eight ground-level digital kiosks and four large inward-facing wall signs, and allow two large static signs on parking garage facades that face into the development. Staff recommended approval and the commission voted 7-0 on both zoning items (Items 2A and 2B).

Staff planner Destiny Woods, a planner with the city planning department, told commissioners the change to the open-space standard results in a net increase of about 0.15 acres of open space to the PD (adding 0.18 acres by closing Water Street and removing 0.03 acres for a retail kiosk). Woods summarized new sign allowances: eight sign kiosks (which may carry advertising), a requirement that kiosks be at least 75 feet apart and within 50 feet of Winrose Avenue, two parking garage facade signs (one allowed up to 1,100 sq. ft. within 300 feet of Headquarters Drive and one up to 1,500 sq. ft. if over 300 feet), and two building facade signs facing…