Plano council approves Willow Bend rezoning to allow single‑family homes after debate over arts tenant and drainage

The Plano City Council voted to approve an ordinance amending the planned‑development zoning for the Willow Bend Mall site to allow single‑family residential development and related modifications, the council announced at its regular meeting. The ordinance affects approximately 89.1 acres on the west side of the Dallas North Tollway and leaves the total residential cap at 965 units with a 40‑unit cap on multifamily units.

Christina Day, director of planning for the City of Plano, told the council the request would reorient the previously approved redevelopment plan and add standards to allow single‑family attached and detached products. “The number of total residential units is staying the same, 965 units with a cap of 40 multifamily units,” Day said. She said the revised plan preserves different portions of the existing mall, requires reconfigured open space and internal streets, and includes a 50‑foot setback from major roadways.

Developers represented by Centennial Real Estate presented the revised concept as a pivot from last year’s plan after anchor changes at the center. Michael Platt, vice president of real estate…