Developer proposes single‑story 10,000‑sq‑ft daycare in PO zone; commission requests traffic, circulation and vehicle‑protection details

Developers presented a proposed legislative development agreement for a single‑story, roughly 10,000‑square‑foot daycare facility in the PO (Professional Office) zone. The commission did not take action; commissioners requested additional detail on traffic circulation, vehicle protection (fencing/bollards), parking and how access would be aligned with existing intersections.

What was proposed Staff said the site sits south of storage units and west of the Texas Instruments property in the PO zone. The original PO master plan envisioned two buildings (about 18,000 square feet total, including basements and second stories) but the applicant now proposes one single‑story building of approximately 10,000 square feet. Staff described the building as designed for roughly "a hundred plus children" with peak commuter‑hour drop‑off and pick‑up activity.

Applicant presentation and circulation plan Logan Johnson (Wright Development) told the commission the developer would build and own the building and lease it to a national childcare operator. He said the operator’s circulation plan anticipates cars entering the site, looping north within the site and exiting without a left turn movement onto the main road, which should reduce conflict points during peak drop‑off and pick‑up.

Logan said the tenant expects drop‑off and pick‑up to be spread over a longer window than a public school start time and that the project team will explore moving the driveway roughly 30 feet to improve internal stacking and alignment with nearby accesses.

Commissioner and resident concerns Commissioners and residents raised recurrent concerns about queuing and spillback onto the adjacent arterial, sight lines, proximity of play areas to vehicular traffic, and the need for substantial vehicle‑protection measures. Specific requests included: exploring right‑in/right‑out or three‑quarter movement restrictions to avoid left turns that could conflict with Highland Boulevard traffic; adding robust, non‑foam masonry or landscape barriers between the road and outdoor play areas; and ensuring medians and adjacent parkway landscaping are completed as part of site work.

Staff and applicant follow up Staff said a development agreement can be used to lock in site‑specific requirements (building footprint, elevations and design), but it also restricts future flexibility: changes later would require amendment of the agreement. Logan said he would refine site access, stacking and vehicle‑protection details with city engineers and the tenant and return with a formal development agreement and site plan for commission review.

Ending No regulatory decision was made at the meeting; staff and the applicant will refine circulation, access alignment and vehicle‑protection plans and return the proposal for formal review and a recommended action to the City Council if the commission chooses to forward one.