A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application for and an ordinance granting a new Specific Use Permit for a public school other than an open-enrollment charter school on property zoned R-7.5(A) Single Family District, on the south line of Arapaho Road and the north line of La Cosa Drive Recommendation of Staff: Approval, subject to a site plan, traffic management plan, and conditions Recommendation of CPC: Approval, subject to a site plan, traffic management plan, and conditions Z-25-000103 *In alignment with ForwardDallas.

This item concerns a public hearing and ordinance for a new Specific Use Permit (SUP) for a public school (Richardson ISD) on property zoned R-7.5(A) Single Family District. The site, located on the south line of Arapaho Road and the north line of La Cosa Drive, is approximately 13.9 acres and currently houses a junior high school built in the 1960s. The proposal is to replace the existing structure with a new facility on the southern half of the site, transitioning the school to a middle school to accommodate 6th graders. The projected enrollment will increase from approximately 608 students and 71 staff to 823 students in 2028, with a design capacity of 1,000 students. Both staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval, subject to a site plan, traffic management plan, and specific conditions. The new facility's orientation will shift towards La Cosa Drive, improving pedestrian access but also bringing circulation closer to residential areas, which is addressed by a revised Traffic Management Plan detailing drop-off/pick-up procedures for students and buses. The Market Value Analysis indicates the area is in an 'C' MVA area, considered a strong market.

Residents may experience increased traffic and noise due to the school's expansion and shift in orientation towards La Cosa Drive. The approval is contingent on a traffic management plan to mitigate these impacts, and the school will continue to serve the community's educational needs.

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