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Commission approves design exceptions for office reuse at 225 E. Virginia St.
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved seven design exceptions to allow the reuse and expansion of a 0.92-acre office building at 225 East Virginia Street in McKinney's downtown core; staff recommended approval and the applicant said the relocation would keep the business downtown.
The McKinney Planning & Zoning Commission voted 7-0 on March 24 to approve a set of seven design exceptions to a site plan for an office located at 225 East Virginia Street in the McKinney Town Center.
City staff member Kira Robinson told commissioners the exceptions would allow alterations to building form, facade composition and ground-level transparency to support reuse and expansion of the roughly 0.92-acre property. "The request before you is for multiple design exceptions for the reuse and expansion of an office building," Robinson said, and she added that staff was recommending approval.
Commissioners pressed staff for details about the specific exceptions. Robinson explained that downtown facade rhythm standards typically call for 20-to-30-foot facade divisions and that one exception would alter storefront and ground-level height expectations to accommodate the proposed design. She also said the applicant requested retaining a mansard roof because the building will remain one story despite that roof style typically appearing on taller buildings.
Applicant representative John Tedesco of Kenley Horn Associates identified the use as office space and said the firm intends to relocate a downtown tenant: "We're very eager to be a block closer to Square, continue to be here downtown McKinney...and really looking forward to being here," he said. Tedesco provided the applicant's address as 260 East Davis Street and offered to answer commissioners' questions.
After a brief procedural clarification about the status of the public hearing, Commissioner Craig moved to close the public hearing and approve the item; Commissioner Lebo seconded. The commission voted unanimously 7-0 to approve item 206-11-SP. Chair noted the decision does not require additional action by City Council.
The approved exceptions will allow the project to proceed under the revised facade and storefront standards described by staff; the commission record contains the staff report and the packet renderings offered at the meeting.
