The Lewisville Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 2 recommended approval of a Planned Development overlay (Case 24-12-3) with base zoning Old Town Mixed Use District 2 for a 0.6158-acre infill site at the southwest corner of South Cowan Street and Hickory Street.

Planner Lily Sutton told the commission the applicant (Stephen Homeyer of Homeyer Engineering, representing 421 South Cowen Street LLC) requested the PD overlay to alleviate several Unified Development Code (UDC) requirements. The applicant seeks to reduce internal alley/drive width from the UDC’s 24-foot minimum to 18 feet to meet the site layout and density goals; staff also said the applicant proposes using established trees along the southern property line as a living screen instead of constructing the 6-foot screening wall and providing a 10-foot landscape buffer with shade trees planted 50 feet on center. Staff recommended approval, noting townhomes would be allowed by right at the location even without a PD overlay and that the Old Town design review committee approved elevations and the site layout in November 2024.

Staff reported receiving two letters of opposition. One letter cited concern about potential changes in property values and density; the other questioned whether the existing trees were healthy enough to serve reliably as a living screen. The planner said the applicant’s tree exhibit showed only three on-site trees in poor condition and none of those appeared directly along the southern property line.

Commissioners asked the planner to restate the specific UDC elements being alleviated. A commissioner voiced concerns that the lot is small, that Cowan is a busy street, that the southern property owner would require a retaining wall under the current zone, and that an 18-foot private drive is "really small," potentially prompting on-street parking. Staff responded the private alley was the primary reason for the PD request, that the fire department (part of the development-review committee) had reviewed the plan and raised no objections, and that all units will be sprinkled. Staff also said the design provides 27 feet between garage doors and adjacent homes to allow maneuvering and that the developer previously sought to acquire the southern lot to allow a continuous alley.

Commissioner Francesca moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Josh seconded. The commission voted to forward a recommendation of approval to City Council for final action; the meeting record does not clearly show a numeric vote tally for this motion. City Council is scheduled to hold a second public hearing and make a final decision on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

The record includes two names submitted in advance (William Wedge and Diana Blades) but no in-person public testimony at the hearing.