The owner of the commercial land at Preston Road and Prosper Trail wants to replace the 20-year-old zoning there with rules for a walkable plaza of shops, restaurants and offices set around ponds and patios. The Planning and Zoning Commission holds a public hearing on the request Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The 13.6-acre site sits on the west side of Preston Road, starting about 225 feet north of Prosper Trail. It is the commercial piece of Planned Development-31, which the town approved in 2006 for 103 acres. The rest of that land became the Saddle Creek neighborhood.
A bank opened at the corner in 2017, and a dentist office was built at the northeast end of the property, according to the town's staff report.
What would change
The current rules allow up to six acres of retail and commercial uses, with the remainder for offices. The new planned development would update the list of uses and set architectural and lighting standards, staff wrote.
In a statement of intent, applicant Saddle Creek Investments describes high-end, plaza-style retail and restaurants with some offices, with fountains, benches and walkways among trees, meant to be a place where people from nearby neighborhoods meet. The plans add three ponds near most of the buildings, with patios facing open space and amenities such as seating, gazebos, fire pits and lawn games.
Buildings would be at least 80% masonry.
Restaurants would be allowed by right in some buildings and only with a specific use permit in others. Restaurants approved that way could not face north or west, the sides where the staff report shows single-family homes. A bar or similar alcoholic beverage establishment would be allowed under conditions.
