City and Plano ISD describe redevelopment plans for three former school sites; residents pushed for parks

Christina Day, the city's director of planning, reviewed deed restrictions, comprehensive‑plan guidance and zoning for three former Plano ISD campuses the city is acquiring or has acquired. She said the uses must be consistent with zoning in effect as of Sept. 1, 2025 (single‑family residence categories SFR7 and SFR9) and that permitted uses in those districts include single‑family housing, backyard cottages, home‑based businesses, household care facilities, parks, public safety buildings and schools.

"There was strong resident opposition to redeveloping that property as housing," Day said of Davis Elementary, where city outreach recorded three meetings and 282 attendees who favored community‑focused redevelopment and expansion of Cato Park. Armstrong and Foreman outreach (three meetings, ~72 attendees) showed similar opposition to housing and support for preserving park and green space — residents specifically mentioned preserving the football field on Armstrong’s northern portion. Day also noted the Davis property has closed and that Armstrong and Foreman closings were scheduled for May 6 and May 27, respectively.

City staff said deed restrictions should be reviewed closely to determine whether other uses (for example those requiring specific use permits) are permissible, and that any zoning changes would need additional public review. Day also said there had been discussion about relocating Fire Station 3 to the Foreman property; attendees expressed support for outreach to determine appropriate uses for balance of the site.