McKinney planning commission approves design exception for Hope Dream Center at Virginia Parkway

The City of McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a site plan and a requested design exception for the Hope Dream Center, an office and indoor commercial entertainment facility at 2765 Virginia Parkway, during its Dec. 9 meeting. The commission voted 7-0 to close the public hearing and approve the plan.

Planner Jake Bennett told commissioners the applicant requests an exception to place parking 10 feet from adjacent residential property lines rather than the 20-foot setback now required under the UDC. "Staff believes that the design exception should not negatively impact any of the surrounding properties," Bennett said, and recommended approval. Bennett noted the project includes an 8-foot masonry screening wall along the shared property line and canopy trees planted at a rate of one per 30 linear feet within the 10-foot buffer.

Applicant representative Daniel Franklin, of Cross Engineering, said the development meets parking requirements through on-site stalls plus a shared-parking arrangement with an adjacent property owner. Franklin said the project includes a 240-seat training center that "would not be both" full at the same time as neighboring businesses and that many events are expected off-peak (for example, Sunday services). He told the commission a draft shared-parking agreement is in place with the property to the west.

Commissioner Craig moved to close the public hearing and approve item 250017SP; Commissioner Hammock seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The staff report and the conditions cited during the presentation—screening wall, canopy trees, and the shared-parking arrangement—remain part of the approval record.