Commission approves McCall Plaza final plat and variances; city to abandon right-of-way

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a city-initiated final plat and site plan for McCall Plaza in Downtown Plano on Oct. 7, granting variances to subdivision frontage and access requirements and recommending City Council adopt a resolution to end the existing right-of-way.

Lead planner Raha Poulade said the property was conveyed to the City of Plano and dedicated as right-of-way in 1980; the current request would abandon a portion of that right-of-way that includes McCall Plaza. Poulade explained the project needs variances from the subdivision ordinance: reduce minimum continuous frontage required for nonresidential corner lots (subsection 5.2 C 3.1) from 175 feet to the plaza’s existing 99 feet of frontage on 15th Street, and allow no second point of access (subsection 5.2 C 4 a) given the site’s pedestrian orientation within the Downtown Heritage District.

Poulade said the property’s pedestrian orientation and historic lot pattern support the variances and that granting them would not be detrimental to public safety, health or welfare. She recommended approval subject to City Council passage of a resolution abandoning the right-of-way.

Commissioners confirmed the city would retain fee-simple ownership if the right-of-way is abandoned; Commissioner Ratliff moved to approve the plat and variances subject to City Council action and the motion passed 6–0.