McKinney planners deny proposed mixed‑use rezoning on North Tennessee after residents press parking, buffering concerns

The McKinney Planning & Zoning Commission denied a rezoning request for a proposed mixed‑use development on a block bounded by North Tennessee Street and East Hertz Street, voting 5–2 on Aug. 12 to send the denial to City Council for final action on Aug. 19.

Planner Araceli Motteo told the commission the applicant had revised the proposal after earlier feedback, lowering the maximum unit count from 90 to 79, adjusting parking from a standard 1.75 spaces per multifamily unit toward 1.17 spaces per unit, and replacing an initially proposed metal fence with a living screen of Leyland cypress planted at roughly one tree per 5 feet along the residential edge. Motteo said staff had received multiple letters of support and opposition and recommended approval of the rezoning request.

Developer Jason Rose described a design that concentrates parking to the rear and places ground‑floor micro retail at the Tennessee Street frontage to create a walkable streetscape. Rose said he had made concessions in…