McKinney council approves rezoning for Murphy gas station at 500 W. University Drive amid neighborhood safety concerns

McKinney City Council voted to rezone the property at 500 West University Drive from BG (general business) to a PD (planned development), clearing the way for a Murphy-branded fuel and convenience store.

The decision came after an extended public hearing in which nearby residents urged council members to reject the rezone on safety and traffic grounds and the applicant and several council members argued the redevelopment would improve lighting, surveillance and activity along an aging commercial corridor.

City planning manager Kate Strickland presented the item and said the applicant submitted revised planned development regulations after the item was tabled at a prior meeting; those revisions include a new screening requirement. Jeff Tucker, representing the applicant, told council the company met with residents and agreed to several concessions, including raising a masonry screening wall and increasing on-site security measures. "We can put up to 30 [security] cameras in our typical store," Tucker said.

Neighbors said the changes did not…