Murphy council rejects 32-townhome plan amid density concerns

Murphy city council voted on January 15, 2026 to deny a site plan for 32 townhomes on 3.2 acres at the southeast corner of North Murphy Road and Betsy Lane, returning the proposal to staff for further review. The decision came despite a unanimous 7–0 approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission in December.

City staff told the council the parcel is zoned for single-family attached residential within a planned development overlay approved in 2021. The proposal equated to roughly 10 units per acre on the 3.2-acre site, a density that several council members, including Mayor Scott Bradley, said did not sit comfortably with surrounding development. Council direction asked staff to review adjacent development standards and compatibility measures before the applicant proceeds.

The council’s action highlights a common tension in fast-growing Collin County communities: zoning entitlements established through planned development overlays can set expectations for use and density, but site-plan review remains a point where elected officials, planning commissioners and residents contest how new projects fit into existing neighborhoods. In this case the planning commission’s unanimous approval signaled technical support for the layout, while the council prioritized concerns about scale and transitions to neighboring properties.

For applicants, the immediate consequence is a pause and a requirement to work with planning staff on revisions or supplemental analysis. The plan was formally returned to staff, which will reassess surrounding development standards and provide guidance on adjustments that could address council concerns. Any revised plan will likely return to the planning commission and then back to council for final consideration, prolonging the review timeline and the uncertainty for both the developer and nearby residents.

For local residents, the decision matters for neighborhood character and expected development along North Murphy Road. The council’s scrutiny indicates elected officials are weighing the balance between expanding housing supply and ensuring projects are compatible with existing patterns of development. Property owners and neighbors who follow or participate in public hearings will have opportunities to weigh in when the plan resurfaces.

The denial also underscores the role of planned development overlays as both a marker of allowed uses and a starting point for detailed site-level debate. What comes next is a staff-led reassessment and potential revision by the applicant; residents should watch for a staff report and the scheduling of future public hearings to see how the project evolves and whether revised plans can bridge the gap between approval by planners and acceptance by the council.