Plano planning commission recommends Lavonne Farms rezoning to council with development agreement

The City of Plano Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 17 unanimously recommended that City Council consider rezoning roughly 215.7 acres known as LaVonne (Lavonne) Farms from agricultural to a Residential Community Design district, subject to a development agreement to govern infrastructure phasing and cost participation.

Mike Bell, assistant director of planning, told the commission the site is among the largest remaining greenfield tracts in the city and is located west of Jupiter Road and north of Parker Road near the Plano Event Center. Staff’s presentation said the proposal subdivides the property into three subdistricts: Subdistrict A (primarily single‑family tiers), Subdistrict B (multifamily/tier 4) and Subdistrict C (a rural preserve that includes preservation of historic farm structures). Bell said staff found the rezoning generally consistent with the Envision Oak Point small‑area plan and noted the plan’s requirements for open space, mobility and housing diversity.

“The request is to rezone approximately 215 acres commonly referred to as LaVonne Farms from agricultural to Residential Community Design,” Bell said during his presentation. He summarized the development plan as proposing about 1,648 total dwelling units and roughly 37 acres of open space, with phasing triggers that require single‑family construction to accompany early multifamily phases.

Todd Moore, the landowner and applicant, described a multi‑decade family effort to plan the site and said the project aims to preserve roughly half the property as parks and open space. “We were welcomed to provide a phasing plan. We did not want to come up here and just obtain zoning for multifamily and only build multifamily,” Moore said, describing commitments to deliver single‑family product alongside multifamily phases.

Public commenters included residents who urged more small‑lot single‑family or age‑restricted housing and others who supported the Envision Oak Point approach. Corey Reinecker, who lives in the notice area, praised the proposed open space but urged more neighborhood‑scaled mixed‑use destinations and improved walkability.

Commission discussion focused on SB‑15 implications, floodplain and infrastructure requirements, and whether Envision Oak Point’s small‑area plan controls the site. Commissioners repeatedly referenced the danger of leaving the land to uncontrolled by‑right development under state law and said the applicant’s coordinated development agreement gives the city a greater opportunity to shape infrastructure and open‑space delivery.

Chair closed discussion by moving to recommend approval “subject to concurrent city council consideration of a signed development agreement outlining infrastructure phasing and participation for the full development,” and the commission approved the motion 8‑0.

The case will now move to City Council with the staff report and the recommended development agreement; the commission directed staff and the applicant to finalize the agreement for the council packet.