Planning commission approves design exceptions to rehabilitate East End Lumberyard in McKinney

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 9 unanimously approved multiple design exceptions to rehabilitate the East End Lumberyard, a roughly 0.38-acre historic property at 600 East Louisiana Street in McKinney. Staff recommended the exceptions to replicate original materials and building forms; the commission voted 7-0 to approve the application.

Downtown development planner Kiara Robinson said the requested exceptions include four building-form items and a fencing exception tied to transparency and material requirements, and that the requests aim to preserve the site's original architectural character. "All these design exceptions are requested as an effort to preserve the existing building forms and exterior finished materials," Robinson said.

Owner Lou Anne McAdam told the commission contractors found a rotten foundation and that the project will effectively rebuild the structures using the same materials while preserving large trees and historic features. "They're such a part of McKinney's history, and I just didn't want them to be torn down," McAdam said. Casey Leiford, owner of neighboring Easton Salvage, described plans to expand warehouse and showroom activities into the rehabilitated buildings and asked for support.

Project architect Randy Klein said the scheme will add new sidewalks, additional off-site parking and loading in excess of minimum requirements, and will blend with the neighborhood fabric. Commissioner Lebo moved to close the public hearing and approve item 25.005SP; Commissioner Conrad seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.