Plano Planning Commission Tables Rezoning for Watermere Independent-Living Proposal

The Plano Planning & Zoning Commission voted to table a rezoning request that would transform the former Plano Athletic Center at 4600 W. Park Blvd. into a five-story Watermere independent-living facility, pausing consideration while city staff and the applicant continue negotiations. The decision followed substantial resident input and staff recommendations opposing the proposal as submitted.

At its Jan. 20 meeting commissioners deferred a final vote after hearing concerns about building height, density, and compatibility with surrounding uses. Applicant Integrated Real Estate Group proposed about 250 one- and two-bedroom units and roughly 30,000 square feet of amenity space on a 6.3-acre parcel. The proposal would produce an approximate density of 38.9 dwelling units per acre.

City staff recommended denial, citing three principal issues: the applicant is requesting a 65-foot height limit that exceeds the 45-foot allowance that applies under recent state code changes; planners found the scale and massing incompatible with neighboring properties; and the proposed density exceeds the guidance in Plano’s comprehensive plan for that area. The city also reported dozens of resident responses to the proposal, with most expressing opposition.

The commission’s tabling effectively freezes any rezoning action and maintains the site’s current zoning while Integrated Real Estate Group and city staff seek revisions. Potential changes could include reduced height, lower unit counts, altered site layout, or additional design and buffering measures to address compatibility concerns. Commissioners opted for more review rather than approving or denying the request outright, signaling that design adjustments or policy clarifications could shape a revised application.

For local residents the proposal raises competing priorities. Supporters point to expanded senior housing options and amenity-rich independent-living inventory in West Plano. Opponents cited neighborhood scale, potential traffic and infrastructure impacts, and a departure from comprehensive plan expectations. The height and density dispute also highlights how recent state code changes intersect with municipal zoning authority and local land-use planning, a policy tension likely to recur as developers test new statutory limits.

The tabling means the project will return to the commission only if Integrated Real Estate Group submits revisions or staff brings a new recommendation. Residents who weighed in for the Jan. 20 meeting are likely to see follow-up notices when the item is reworked, and the commission’s next substantive action will determine whether the site moves toward redevelopment or remains under existing zoning.