Prosper planning commission approves preliminary plat for planned development with staff confirmation required on density and usable open space

The Prosper Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 on April 1 to approve consent agenda item 3F, a preliminary plat within an existing planned development (PD), with conditions requiring staff confirmation that the PD meets density limits and that designated open space is usable.

Commissioner Hamilton moved to approve item 3F "subject to staff review of the density for the overall PD as well as this individual portion of it, and a review of the landscape plan to make sure that all usable space that is being included in the open space is usable, as written in the PD, to be usable open active space." Commissioner Blansett seconded the motion; the commission voted 7-0 in favor.

The commission and staff discussed lot counts and density calculations for the PD. Staff presented counts that would bring the total lot count to 265 and noted a maximum allowed lot count for the PD of 348. Staff and commissioners asked that staff confirm the PD's overall density figure; during discussion commissioners referred to a PD-level target of roughly 3 dwelling units per acre and cited an individual neighborhood cap of 5 units per acre as context for the review.

Commissioners also pressed for clarification about the type and accessibility of open space. The PD text, as read in the meeting, describes an intention to set aside natural open space in floodplain and sensitive areas and to provide trails and pocket parks; commissioners asked staff to confirm that the areas counted as open space will be "usable and accessible," not simply passive or water bodies unless amenitized.

Other development details raised in discussion included lot and setback standards described in the presentation (two lot types with differing minimum widths, depths and setbacks), plans for a 12-foot-wide trail through an easement, pocket parks and lakeside amenities, and proposed fencing and berming along thoroughfares and between adjacent residential properties. Commissioners asked staff to require open fencing along thoroughfares (at least 50% open), and noted that residential-to-residential boundaries would typically receive solid fencing unless an area is HOA-dedicated open space.

The commission directed staff to confirm that the submitted preliminary plat portion complies with the PD requirements; staff said it would work with the applicant to adjust the plat if staff finds noncompliance and return the item for approval only after confirmation. The motion carried 7-0.

Details recorded in the meeting indicate the commission discussed connectivity to adjacent subdivisions for fire access and the potential extension of a cul-de-sac into a through street as part of required connectivity between subdivisions.

Votes at a glance: Item 3F — Motion to approve the preliminary plat subject to staff confirmation of PD density and usable open space; mover: Commissioner Hamilton; second: Commissioner Blansett; outcome: approved, vote 7-0.

The commission moved on after the vote. Staff said it will follow up with the applicant on open-space delineation and density confirmation prior to final administrative approval.