Council approves straight R‑5 rezoning for 755 Heritage Parkway amid council concern over access

Allen planning staff presented a straight‑zoning request to reclassify a roughly 3.3‑acre parcel at 755 Heritage Parkway from agricultural/open space to R‑5 single‑family residential. Planning staff explained straight zoning limits review to compliance with the code rather than a negotiated Planned Development; if the project later requires deviations, the applicant must return for PD review.

Councilmembers raised repeated concerns that straight zoning does not include a concept plan that shows ingress, egress and traffic flows at a busy corner near Allen Heights Drive and Bethany Drive, and that the proximity to a fire station made access a critical issue. Matt (planning staff) said access will be reviewed at the preliminary plat stage and that staff will ensure code compliance through TRC and fire/engineering review. He stated that if the developer cannot meet R‑5 code requirements, a PD would be required.

Todd Erickson, civil engineer with Bowman Consulting Group and representing the applicant, said the team laid out a plan with a cul‑de‑sac off Bethany Drive that meets TxDOT spacing requirements and includes secondary access provisions; he said grading and drainage have been considered and that water and sewer are available at the site. Erickson said the design can provide required turning radii for fire apparatus.

After discussion, Councilmember (S14) moved to adopt Ordinance 4130‑12‑24 to rezone the property to R‑5 as presented; the motion was seconded and the council approved the ordinance. Staff emphasized that future preliminary plat and civil (TRC) reviews will examine access and public‑safety requirements and that material changes or variance requests would return to council.