Allen planners back amendment to Sloane Corners West PD to accelerate early housing, retail and adjust standards

The City of Allen Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of an amendment to Planned Development No. 139, Sloane Corners West, that changes phasing and several development standards for about 260.94 acres north of Ridgeview Drive, east of Chelsea Boulevard, south of State Highway 121 and west of Central Expressway.

Staff presented the amendment and recommended approval. Planning staff member Kim Yockey told the commission the package covers phasing, on‑street parking, urban residential design standards, building height and lighting, and said, “staff does recommend approval.” The applicant, Lucy Billingsley of Billingsley Company, described initial construction focused on two blocks that will include retail, restaurants and a large park; she said, “we're building some retail. 2 to 3 restaurants will be here in our first phase.”

Under the proposed amendment, the initial allowable residential units would rise from 700 to 1,004 in the first phase, then to 1,400 in the second phase, with 50,000 square feet of retail added in phase 2. Cumulative unit caps increase through later phases—2,100 in phase 3 and up to 2,800 in phase 4—while the overall project maximum remains 4,000 dwelling units and 375,000 square feet of office space. The amendment would increase the total office square footage envisioned in early phases (the existing PD called for 50,000 square feet in an early phase; the amendment phases larger amounts earlier) and adds retail and office floor‑area at specific phases described in staff presentations.

The amendment includes several standards adjustments: expanding the allowed distance for on‑street parking credit from 200 feet to 800 feet (consistent with downtown policy the commission noted), reducing a 75% building frontage requirement to 50% for lots affected by an irregular north–south power line easement, and allowing a limited increase in streetlight pole height from 20 feet to 26 feet on wide right‑of‑way segments to provide broader illumination with fewer poles. Yockey said the frontage reduction and surface parking adjustments are intended to allow more creative development on irregularly shaped lots. The urban residential standards are updated to add a defined rental townhome product while retaining the urban residential style.

Applicant presentations showed site staging and amenities the developer plans to construct early, including a one‑mile trail loop, a detention pond with sculptural features, two dog parks, four pickleball courts and a major park entry with public art. Tom Holland (participant identified in the record as affiliated with Doyensley Company) described locations for the taller pole sections along the main east–west boulevard through the development.

A nearby property owner’s representative, Jorge Gonzales Rodiles, spoke in favor and said owners of adjacent parcels expect to coordinate future development with Billingsley. Commissioners asked staff and the applicant about phasing, when office and retail certificate‑of‑occupancy thresholds apply, and whether park amenities would be delivered with the initial urban residential work; Yockey clarified that later office/retail phasing requirements tie to certificates of occupancy, not only building permits.

Commissioner Stoker moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Katheria seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The item will next go to City Council in January for consideration.

Community context and next steps: the amendment accelerates early housing and retail components while keeping the PD’s overall development cap the same. If council approves the amendment, earlier‑phased residential density and added retail/office square footage will allow the developer to construct a larger initial neighborhood and park, as described in the applicant’s presentation.