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Plan Commission recommends rezoning for Greenwood Park, 6–1
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Summary
The Richardson City Plan Commission on April 21 recommended approval of zoning file 26‑02 (Greenwood Park), a planned development to allow 40 detached houses on a 4.7‑acre site at 1111 West Shore Drive, after staff and the applicant described compact infill standards and neighbors raised concerns about parking, maneuverability and construction impacts.
The Richardson City Plan Commission voted 6–1 on April 21 to recommend approval of zoning file 26‑02, a planned‑development rezoning that would permit the construction of 40 detached houses on a 4.7‑acre parcel at 1111 West Shore Drive.
Miss Peters introduced the request, saying the proposal would rezone the property from local retail to a planned development with a base district of R‑1‑100M and modified standards to accommodate 40 single‑family detached houses. "The site is 4.7 acres and as proposed there will be 40 detached houses," she said, and staff outlined proposed reductions to minimum lot area (from 8,000 to 2,000 square feet), narrower lot widths, reduced setbacks and a maximum building height consistent with the surrounding single‑family neighborhood.
Applicant Ben Caldwell of Caldwell Residential described the project as a compact infill community with a central open space and pedestrian‑oriented design. "I believe that this site, really, the highest and best use of that today is a high quality, thoughtfully designed, boutique infill residential community," Caldwell said, noting the concept includes two access points on West Shore Drive, two open‑space areas (an 11,000‑square‑foot central park and a secondary 2,000‑square‑foot area) and 52 visitor parking spaces (about 1.3 per unit).
Commissioners focused their questions on maneuverability, on‑street parking and how front‑facing garage setbacks would interact with the sidewalk. Staff said the submitted AutoTurn templates used a Ford F‑150 to demonstrate that a typical car can maneuver into and out of the proposed garages, and explained that Streets A and C include parallel visitor parking outside the primary travel lanes while Street B would meet the city's standard 26‑foot cross‑section. "Street B does meet our minimum standards," a staff member said, adding the fire marshal had reviewed the design and found it acceptable.
Neighbors who spoke during public comment raised concerns about construction traffic, sightlines and emergency access. Martin Dunstone, who lives north of the site, asked how long construction traffic would affect Wisteria and whether two‑story houses would "overlook" existing yards. Bonnie Gordon, also a nearby resident, asked whether fire trucks could fit through the narrow streets during construction and expressed concern that rendered elevations shown to residents might not match final home materials.
Caldwell said construction traffic would use West Shore Drive access points, the product would largely conform to two‑story R‑1‑100M limits and some architectural controls would later be enforced through the HOA and deed restrictions. On material choices, staff reminded the commission that state law preempts local regulation of building materials; the PD emphasizes building form and placement rather than mandating materials.
After closing the public hearing, Commissioner Shusiak moved to recommend approval of the rezoning "with the conditions as presented," and the motion passed 6–1 with Commissioner Pointer opposing the recommendation.
The commission's recommendation now moves to the City Council for final action; staff noted conditions in the PD would govern development form, setbacks and required exhibits, and that further details about architectural standards will be handled through HOA documents or subsequent submittals.
