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Council approves OTC zoning changes and rezones 80‑acre site for mixed‑use PD271 reducing residential entitlement
Summary
Council approved amendments to the Original Town Commercial (OTC) use chart to prioritize pedestrian‑oriented uses and adopted a rezoning (Z24‑2 / PD‑271) that reduces residential entitlement on an 80.1‑acre site from 1,200 to about 774 units and ties residential openings to phased commercial and parking construction.
Frisco City Council on Oct. 21 approved changes to the city’s OTC (Original Town Commercial) use chart and voted to rezone an 80.1‑acre property (Z24‑2 / PD‑271) for a new mixed‑use development that limits residential entitlements and sets phasing requirements for commercial and parking construction.
Planning Manager Chris Leonard presented proposed edits to zoning ordinance subsection 3.02 and a review of roughly 175 land uses in the OTC zoning matrix — the goal is to make pedestrian‑oriented uses permitted while restricting automobile‑oriented features such as drive‑thrus in the rail district. Leonard explained legally nonconforming uses (for example, an existing convenience store with gas pumps) would be allowed to remain under current law but would lose that nonconforming status if operations ceased for six months or more or if rebuilt beyond a statutory valuation threshold.
On a separate item, Jonathan Hubbard summarized the PD‑271 rezoning request from LMIF Real Estate for planned mixed‑use development near Maynard Parkway and University Drive. The applicant proposed a maximum of about 774 "urban living" residential units in multi‑story buildings with 100% structured parking, a reduction from the 1,200 units entitled under the 2018 PD. The rezoning includes design requirements for varied building heights, mandatory active open space (minimum 10% open space), and phasing rules that tie residential certificates of occupancy to completion of office and parking garage phases. Applicant representatives described podbed retail with minimum two‑story or rooftop terrace requirements to avoid single‑story retail surrounded by surface parking.
Council members asked about enforcement of the six‑month nonconforming‑use rule, proof burdens and how the changes would affect existing businesses; staff said the city bears the burden to prove cessation. After public hearing with limited public comment, council approved the OTC ordinance amendments and the PD‑271 rezoning by roll call (each motion carried 5‑0). Council emphasized the intent is to protect downtown character and encourage small business opportunities rather than attract big‑box, automobile‑oriented uses.
