Richardson plan commission recommends PD for Apollo Junior High after traffic debate

The Richardson City Plan Commission voted unanimously Dec. 16 to recommend approval of a plan development (PD) rezoning for Apollo Junior High School, approving a proposal that would expand the school campus and grant a set of exceptions to zoning rules while adding traffic‑management conditions requested by staff and commissioners.

The commission considered zoning file 25‑18, a proposal from the Richardson Independent School District to enlarge Apollo Junior High at 1600 Apollo Road from about 126,900 square feet to roughly 206,000 square feet to accommodate the district’s conversion to a 6‑7‑8 middle‑school model. The school district and its architect said the project would add classrooms, a competition gym, a modernized cafeteria and library and comply with Texas Education Agency facility requirements, including a storm shelter. Construction is slated to begin in 2026 with completion expected in August 2028.

The PD asks for a set of exceptions from the underlying R‑1800M residential zoning, including a maximum building height of up to 42 feet in areas that contain gymnasium and penthouse elements, allowance for athletic‑facility and tennis fencing, and temporary placement of up to 10 portable buildings during construction. The district’s plan would provide 169 on‑site parking spaces and rely on a shared city parking lot that the staff said contains an additional…