Planning commission backs mobility-plan changes that remove Underwood extension, reclassify Corbin and Springside

The Denton City Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-0 on June 11 to recommend that City Council approve mobility‑plan amendments that remove a planned extension of Underwood Road, delete a short east–west portion of Corbin Road shown in the plan, extend the north–south Corbin classification, and unify Springside Road as a collector.

Staff said the changes are aimed at avoiding environmentally sensitive areas and preserving existing road capacity. "This road is located inside a riparian buffer and floodplain," senior transportation planner Sahar Svandiary said, urging removal of the Underwood extension to avoid disturbing bottomland hardwood habitat. Chandra Murugandam, the city traffic engineer, told commissioners downgrading some road classifications should reduce impacts to nearby residences and reduce future right‑of‑way needs.

The amendments affect a swath of southwest Denton east of the airport. Svandiary described the package as four interconnected requests because the roads sit in close proximity: (1) remove the northern extension of Underwood Road that would have reached Airport Road (FM 1515); (2) remove a short east–west segment of Corbin Road shown on the current mobility map; (3) extend the functional classification of the north–south Corbin Road; and (4) make the entire Springside Road a collector rather than splitting its classification.

Staff cited two main reasons for the Underwood change: the proposed alignment crosses riparian buffer and floodplain areas and, because West Court and existing Corbin are nearby, the city already would have adequate capacity without the extension. Svandiary said the Underwood northern extension would have crossed bottomland habitat and local wildlife areas. On Springside, staff recommended downgrading the western segment from a secondary arterial to a collector to reduce right‑of‑way width and operating speed in a mixed rural‑residential and heavy‑industrial setting; the mobility plan classifies collectors with a 65‑foot right‑of‑way and typical speeds of 30–35 mph versus 110 feet and 35–40 mph for the secondary arterial classification.

Speakers from the public raised questions about the planning process and local impacts. Resident Kyle Eaton, of 2990 Corbin Road, said much of Underwood lies in the floodplain and asked how outside consultants and staff coordinated the original plan. Kevin McKinney, who lives on Underwood, commented on existing speeds and truck traffic on the road. Commissioners acknowledged those concerns but moved to advance the staff recommendation; Commissioner Dyer moved approval and Commissioner McDuff seconded. The motion carried 4‑0.

Staff said the amendments "meet the criteria in section 271D of the Denton Development Code" and noted the next public hearing before City Council is scheduled for June 17.

The commission also recorded public outreach for the request: an in‑person meeting May 7, newspaper notice, property signs, website announcement and mailed notices to a 250‑foot buffer; staff reported one written letter in favor.

The commission's recommendation sends the amendments to City Council for final action.