Council hears amendment to PD‑27 for Valencia Estates; developer cites design changes and reduced density

City Council heard the first reading and public hearing on an amendment to Planned Development 27 (Ordinance O‑11‑25) for a roughly 111.61‑acre tract at the southeast corner of West Bear Creek Road and Southwest Moreland Road. The amendment rebrands the project as “Valencia Estates,” removes the previously proposed townhome block and adjusts lot and multifamily unit counts.

Parvis Porozizian, planning director, said the amendment preserves the multifamily portion while converting the townhome area to additional single‑family lots; the overall number of homes falls from 495 under the originally approved plan to 402 single‑family lots, while the multifamily unit number is clarified at 368 (resolving a prior PD discrepancy that referenced 450).

Jim Dewey of JDJR Engineers, representing the new owner, said the revised plan improves open‑space connectivity by creating larger linear parks rather than scattered pocket parks and adds usable detention areas with park‑oriented edges. Dewey said common open spaces will be maintained by a homeowners association; until turnover thresholds are met, the developer will maintain common areas.

Councilmembers asked about access, amenities, and whether apartments would be gated; Dewey said apartment design will be presented separately as a detailed site plan and that the amended PD removes some apartment specifics so a future apartment developer can propose the vertical design. Staff recommended approval. The council took no final vote tonight; the item will return for a second reading and formal action.