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Commission rejects Yardley planned development for 170 rental homes at Miller/Chiesa
Summary
Plan for a gated, build‑to‑rent community of 170 detached homes on roughly 21.4 acres at Miller Road and Chiesa was denied 0–7 by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 28. Applicants argued the product meets changing market demand and Realize Rowlett 2020 goals; residents cited traffic, infrastructure and density concerns.
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously denied (0–7) a request Oct. 28 to amend the comprehensive plan and rezone roughly 21.4 acres at Miller Road and Chiesa as a planned development to allow 170 detached rental home sites under unified ownership.
Planning Manager Jalen Porsche summarized the application: the owner requested a comprehensive‑plan change to Multi‑Family, rezoning from SF‑40 to a PD with MF‑2 underlying characteristics, a concept plan for 170 detached homes (rent‑operated, single‑lot ownership), and multiple deviations from the Rowlett Development Code including private 26‑foot paved fire lanes instead of public 60‑foot rights‑of‑way and fewer vehicular access points.
Applicant Jerry Silo (JBI Partners) and Yardley representative Sunny Patel said the proposal is a purpose‑built rental model of detached two‑story homes, with minimum home sizes of about 1,750 square feet, two‑car garages, fenced yards and a central amenity package. Silo said Yardley plans approximately $52 million in construction investment and argued the project would deliver lower‑maintenance housing for changing demographics. “This is a rental community,” Silo said, adding the plan is designed to resemble single‑family neighborhoods while remaining under single ownership.
Residents from nearby neighborhoods gave extensive testimony opposing the request. Speakers cited heavy daily congestion on Miller and Chiesa, safety risks, inadequate local road improvements and the project’s scale compared with existing nearby subdivisions. Several described long‑standing concerns about drainage and the timing of road upgrades on Chiza and Miller.
Commission discussion returned repeatedly to traffic and infrastructure capacity, neighborhood compatibility and the appropriateness of replacing portions of the comprehensive‑plan land‑use pattern with high‑density rental housing. Commissioner Hernandez made the motion to approve, and Commissioner Tucker seconded. After debate, the commission voted 0–7 to deny the request.
Because the proposal required both comprehensive‑plan and zoning changes, the denial at the commission level means the application will not move forward to city council in its current form. The applicant may revise and resubmit a proposal that addresses the commission’s concerns.
