An event space in McKinney's downtown core wants permission to hold parties on its patio, and two commercial sites are asking for exceptions to McKinney's landscaping and screening rules, under requests set for the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 27. City staff recommends approving all three.
Weddings and parties on East Cloyd
MK Venue is seeking a specific use permit for an outdoor reception or event center at 312 E. Cloyd St., a property the applicant's letter says was previously occupied by Kelly's Art Shack. The letter describes private rentals such as weddings, receptions and birthday parties using the indoor space and a covered patio.
The site has a 1,130-square-foot building and a 1,331-square-foot patio. Indoor events are already allowed under the McKinney Town Center downtown core zoning, the staff report says; the permit is needed only for the outdoor area. Neighboring properties hold shops, a gas station and city government facilities.
Staff noted that homes within 500 feet put the venue in a "quiet zone" under the city's rules, but concluded that the distance to those homes and the existing noise ordinance make the outdoor use compatible. No letters for or against the request had been received. The commission's recommendation goes to the City Council for a final vote on Nov. 17.
Costco's parking islands
Costco, at 3650 W. University Drive near Hardin Boulevard, wants to finish the ends of its parking rows entirely in artificial turf and rock instead of grass and plants. City code limits non-living material to half of each of those islands. A letter from the company's consultant, Kimley-Horn, says the goal is year-round appearance with less upkeep and watering.
Trees would still be planted in the islands, and staff says the change meets the intent of the code.
More room for impounded cars
Jordan Towing, which runs an impound lot on about 4.6 acres at Couch Drive and Recovery Way south of Industrial Boulevard, plans to add about 2.4 acres. The company is asking to use 8-foot chain-link fencing with screening panels, rather than an approved wall material, along its north and south lines and part of the west line, where it borders industrial property.
