Little Elm council approves planned development rezoning for credit‑union site

The Little Elm Town Council voted March 3 to approve Ordinance 18‑42, rezoning approximately 1.53 acres as a planned development to allow construction of a credit‑union building on Lot 1 and to include an adjacent nonconforming Lot 2 so the owner may pursue future site improvements.

Planning staff explained the previous planned development (approved in 2021) had relied on a cross‑access agreement that fell through; the new owner negotiated cross access with the Lot‑2 property owner so Lot 2 (occupied by existing businesses) could be included in the PD. Staff said Lot 1 would be redeveloped under light‑commercial standards to allow a proposed credit‑union with drive‑through lanes and that architectural plans in the packet show primary masonry and glazing meeting standards.

Staff told the council Lot 1 measures about 0.79 acres and Lot 2 is about 0.74 acres, below the town’s 1‑acre minimum for commercial lots, and that including both parcels in the PD provides a path to future improvements without rendering existing businesses nonconforming. Staff also noted landscape and parking adjustments: reduced tree plantings where a utility easement and floodplain constrain frontage planting, and a future pad location for a dumpster rather than an immediate double‑dumpster construction.

The chair opened a public hearing; staff reported no speakers during the hearing. After a motion and second, the council voted to adopt the ordinance. The chair announced Ordinance 18‑42 passed.

Staff said fire engineering completed a preliminary review and did not raise construction‑level issues. Planning & Zoning had approved the request 6–0 before it reached council. With the ordinance adopted, staff will proceed with drafting the associated development agreement and permitting steps.