Developer pursues new Plano apartments with grassy setback from nearby neighborhood

PLANO, TX – A developer’s plan for new apartments approved this week would replace an existing paved road with a walkable greenbelt southeast of Preston Road and Spring Creek Parkway.

Plano City Council on July 27 approved the plans for the Promontory on Preston development, placing a limit of 264 apartment units on the project and requiring two-story apartment buildings be set back at least 75 feet from the homes to the south.

The apartments would be set off from nearby neighborhoods by a wide stretch of green space with walking paths. The green space would serve as a buffer between the proposed apartments and existing houses, replacing a stretch of Nueces Drive that runs north of the neighborhood.

Council members also signed off on an update to the city’s comprehensive plan, striking that portion of the street from the thoroughfare map.

The residential portion of the development would replace the existing Kohl’s building—the only developed structure on the property.Developers told council members they hoped to retain Kohl’s elsewhere on the property. Plans for other retail stores have been reduced “consistent with market trends,” developers said in a presentation to council members.

Instead, developers said they said they are seeking a “small-box grocery store” for the nonresidential sections of the development as well as other food and beverage uses.

Council members approved the changes to development standards by a 7-1 vote. Council Member Lily Bao voted against the item. Shelby Williams, another council member, said he had reservations about some parts of the plan, but he voted for it because of the efforts the developers made to seek out ideas from nearby property owners.