Frisco P&Z recommends City Council consider 98‑acre East Group warehouse complex after heavy neighborhood opposition
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Summary
After extensive resident comment about traffic, noise and notice, Frisco’s Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of a specific‑use permit for a 98.1‑acre East Group office/warehouse distribution center by a 4–1 vote, while asking the developer to meet with the neighborhood before City Council review.
The Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 10 recommended the City Council approve a specific‑use permit for a proposed 98.1‑acre office‑warehouse distribution campus from East Group Properties, despite strong resident opposition and one dissenting commissioner.
The commission’s 4–1 recommendation follows a staff presentation describing 11 buildings totaling just over 1,200,000 square feet, internalized truck docks, and a landscape plan that includes a double row of canopy trees and 10.89 acres of open space. Jonathan Hubbard of development services told the commission staff had reviewed drainage, traffic and zoning conformance and recommended approval subject to the SUP exhibits.
The project drew a packed public hearing. Neighbors and an attorney representing adjacent landowners urged delay and asked the commission to require the applicant to reconcile the SUP with previously approved plats and preliminary site plans. Attorney Chris Bowers told the commission the new plans “do not show either the detention area or the open space area” shown on earlier approvals and asked the commission to hold the item until those inconsistencies are resolved. Resident speakers raised concerns about heavy truck traffic near elementary schools, noise, light and air quality, and said many homeowners learned about the expanded proposal only days earlier.
“Approving this project would undermine homeowner trust,” Sai Krishna told the commission, saying the proposal “conflicts with [the comp plan] principles” of compatible transitions between land uses. Several residents asked the commission to defer action so the developer could meet face to face with the Richwoods neighborhood.
The developer’s team, represented by David Hicks of East Group Properties, emphasized voluntary commitments: preservation of a wooded creek, a professionally designed open space area in the northwest corner and a development agreement to tie building materials and landscaping to the ordinance. "We work closely with HOAs on our sites," Hicks said, describing East Group as a long‑term owner that self‑manages properties and is open to further neighborhood meetings.
Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant for technical clarifications. Staff said the SUP covers 98.065 acres, includes 10.89 acres of open space (about 10.68% of the site), and that the closest proposed building corner is roughly 400 feet from the nearest existing residence (with the future Lebanon Road alignment between the homes and buildings). Staff also explained stormwater would be collected with underground piping to multiple detention ponds spread across the site.
The commission paused to consult the city attorney after an adjacent property representative alleged conflicts between the submitted SUP and earlier plats; that consultation took place in executive session and the body returned saying no action had been taken in executive session.
After additional discussion and a request that the applicant meet with the HOA, the commission closed the public hearing and voted to recommend approval of the SUP as presented with the staff‑recommended exhibits and conditions. The recommendation now goes to the City Council for final action.
Next steps: the council will consider the SUP ordinance and the voluntary development agreement tying the open space, landscape and building material commitments to the ordinance. The applicant and staff told commissioners they would meet with neighborhood representatives before the council hearing.
