Housing & Neighborhoods Component

Neighborhoods are the heart of any thriving city. Plano has many successful, established residential neighborhoods with a variety of housing options. In order for the city to continue as a desirable place to live, Plano must ensure its neighborhoods remain vibrant and opportunities for new residential growth are considered. Most of Plano’s residential development occurred between the 1960s and the 2000s in neighborhoods based on a one-mile grid. Lower density housing, schools, and parks are located towards the interior; higher density housing and neighborhood retail centers are found at intersections of major thoroughfares. By 2000, the amount of land available for development of typical residential neighborhoods was diminishing. In 2021, less than 1% of undeveloped land remained zoned for future residential development.

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Policies
  1. Neighborhood Conservation
    Background: By 2040, the largest segment of the city’s housing inventory will be 25 to 70 years old. If residential areas are not maintained, causing structures to deteriorate and values to decline, the community will become less attractive to current and potential residents. While the city has developed innovative programs to address maturing areas, Plano must continue to pursue reinvestment in existing housing and neighborhoods to ensure long-term stability.

    Many people find the city’s suburban character desirable as a place to live. Older neighborhoods typically provide the best opportunities for moderately priced homes. To ensure a variety of safe and walkable residential options are available, Plano will conserve and enhance established neighborhoods to preserve the city’s suburban character.
  1. Revitalization of Retail Shopping Centers
    Background: Plano has many retail corners that typically were built at the corners of major intersections to serve surrounding neighborhoods. The total retail acreage zoned for these corners, particularly from the 1970s to 1990s, was greater than demand justified. Since that time, dramatic shifts in the national retail environment have further reduced demand for the types of businesses originally planned for these areas. While many stores have been successfully re-purposed and fulfill a need or niche, in many cases they no longer generate the traffic originally envisioned, resulting in underutilized facilities and excess parking.

    Revitalization of Plano’s underperforming retail corners is desired in a manner that is positive for the businesses and the surrounding neighborhoods. When appropriate, redevelopment of all or part of a retail corner may present opportunities for new uses and reduction of marginal or overbuilt retail space.
  1. Special Housing Needs
    Background: Segments of the city’s population, such as disabled adults, seniors, and low to moderate income households, require additional assistance to meet their housing needs. While many of Plano’s seniors desire to remain in their homes long-term, some will require further assistance to safely age in place. Provision of housing is also needed for adults with disabilities that are unable to live alone. Additionally, there are significant gaps in the number of housing units affordable to some Plano households.

Resources