Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/AddisonTX/comments/1tfgyz4/the_princeton_development_pivots_to_mixed_use/

Their first request was denied 7-0, this time it was denied 5-2.

Reasons P&Z Members Gave for Denial

• Against rentals
• Pro office
• Other
  • Potential shadow issues due to height and courtyard width
  • Improves pedestrian connectivity, but not enough
  • Removes more trees than it replants
  • Greenspace is too small

Reasons the Developers Gave to Encourage Approval

• They have worked with P&Z and staff for 2 years and did the following as requested:
  • Added ownership and office components
  • Held a community meeting and addressed feedback
  • Worked with surrounding property owners to fix sidewalk gaps
  • Created and presented a shadow map
  • Increased open space and trees saved
  • Got Green Building bronze standard
  • Made 3% of parking spots have EV chargers
  • Added public art
• Other reasons
  • Property is not near any single family houses
  • This office has no tenants, has asbestos and large maintenance issues
  • Surrounding offices have higher vacancy than DFW average

Votes

• Denial - 5
  • Alan Then (appointed by Howard Freed*)
  • Chelsey Smith (appointed by Bruce Arfsten)
  • Jimmy Barker (appointed by Marlin Willesen)
  • Denise Fansler (appointed by Darren Gardner)
  • Dave Collins (appointed by Randy Smith)
• Against denial - 2
  • Tyler Wright (appointed by Chris DeFrancisco)
  • EJ Copeland (appointed by Dan Liscio)

*Howard Freed was not reelected, but his P&Z appointment still remains until they are reappointed later this year.

Video link: https://addisontx.new.swagit.com/videos/388459

Layout to help visualize:

https://preview.redd.it/flplirlnyc2h1.png?width=1946&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7a452158455789468d448ed48a84bbd44eaa613

If you’re unfamiliar with “urbanism,” it's how inhabitants of urban areas, such as towns and cities, interact with the built environment. Positive urbanism inherently supports public transit and mixed use zoning, with an emphasis on making it easier to do everyday errands without needing a vehicle.

As a native Dallasite, I’ve noticed that there is quite a lack of this kind of infrastructure outside of very few places, which is crazy given the population size.

This doesn't apply to just DFW, but I’m working on a campaign to get local officials involved in supporting this kind of legislation forward. One small step in that is furthering the Build More Housing Near Transit Act. August is coming up, and if you want to get more involved in local politics, this is a great starting point.

Check out DATA to support DART - https://dallasareatransitalliance.org/

I've been trying to find news articles about how people in and around Addison feel about data centers, like Topaz Labs that's in the area. It's been on my mind after hearing about the situation happening right now in Red Oak. There's a lot of news coverage on the new data center being built there, but I haven't been able to find any articles discussing Topaz besides the initial stories about their expansion and the mayor supporting it.