Prosper's Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 on Tuesday, Aug. 4, to recommend rezoning 39.2 acres at University Drive and Lovers Lane for commercial and light industrial use, sending the project to the Town Council after developers agreed to lower building heights, add a tree screen and extend Richland Boulevard through the site.
The unanimous vote followed a two-week pause. Commissioners had tabled the request at their July 21 meeting after Willow Ridge homeowners spoke against the plan, citing noise, light pollution and traffic from the proposed warehouses and retail buildings that would sit directly south of their neighborhood.
Between meetings, developers met with the Willow Ridge Homeowners Association and returned Aug. 4 with a revised plan. According to the town staff report, the concessions include:
- A "living screen" using the existing tree line plus new plantings along the northern boundary, backed by an 8-foot wrought iron fence adjacent to Willow Ridge's common area.
- Building heights on Tract Three (the portion closest to homes) capped at 35 feet, well below the 100-foot maximum allowed in a standard Industrial District. Tract Two is capped at 50 feet.
- A Richland Boulevard extension connecting the road's current dead end to Lovers Lane, with berms and a 10-foot hike-and-bike trail along the thoroughfare.
"We don't often see developers be as open and amenable to comments," Commissioner Glen Blanscet said at the Aug. 4 meeting, as reported by Community Impact. "There's some compromise that has to be made, and I'm grateful to the homeowners that seemed to recognize that as well."
Willow Ridge resident Katie Chatfield, who had submitted a letter of opposition before the July 21 hearing, said at the Aug. 4 meeting that the neighborhood had made significant progress with the developer.
What's planned for the site
The 39.2 acres sit at the northeast corner of Lovers Lane and University Drive on vacant land currently zoned PD-27. The new Planned Development splits the property into three tracts:
- Tract One (retail, at the hard corner): expected to include a Rooms To Go furniture store.
- Tract Two (office/warehouse on the north and east sides): spaces sized for businesses needing 5,000 to 20,000 square feet.
- Tract Three (cottage logistics, adjacent to Willow Ridge): small-scale assembly and light manufacturing spaces of roughly 1,000 to 2,000 square feet for businesses like pool cleaning companies and art framers.
"Cottage logistics" is a new use category not previously defined in Prosper's Unified Development Code. The staff report describes it as businesses where the primary purpose is "small-scale and individualized assembly and light manufacturing" with "low to no external impact."
The rezoning eliminates several uses currently allowed under PD-27, including hotels, big box retail, automobile sales and repair, outdoor commercial amusement, general manufacturing and a helistop.
Senior Planner Dakari Hill prepared the staff report, which recommended approval. Staff received five letters of opposition, two of neutrality and one of support ahead of the vote.
What comes next
The Prosper Town Council will hold a public hearing on the rezoning at its Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting at Prosper Town Hall, 250 W. First St., starting at 6:15 p.m. Residents who want to comment can attend in person or contact the planning department through Michelle Crowe at [email protected] or 972-569-1086.
