What is Density?

While reviewing the Future Land Use Dashboards of the Comprehensive Plan 2021, you may notice that each future land use category includes a recommended density range (for example, 0.5 to 10 DUA in the Neighborhoods category). And you may ask, what is DUA? And what does that mean?

DUA is short for Dwelling Units Per Acre, which is a common way to measure the residential density in an area: the more dwelling units located on an acre of land, the higher the density. Many zoning districts in Plano, especially those that allow apartments or townhomes, use DUA to set limits on the maximum residential density allowed in the district.

However, density alone does not guarantee the size, form, or use of a building. Other components factor into the appearance and compatibility of developments, including building heights, setbacks, intensity, ownership type, unit size, and parking - all are important to understand the form of development.

Density Examples

Density Comparison by Housing Type

What is Density? (PDF)

Density Examples

Densities for the following subdivisions were calculated using the density definition from the City of Plano Zoning Ordinance, which defines residential density as “the number of individual residential living units per acre of the site or lot on which they are located. Calculation of residential density shall be based on the net size of the property, exclusive of public and private street right-of-way, street easements, and park and open space accessible to the public.”

HOUSING TYPE
Multifamily	Multifamily (Condominiums)
BUILDING HEIGHTS
29 stories	27 stories
DENSITY
156 DUA	45 DUA
INTENSITY & SCALE
High Intensity High-Rise Scale
PARKING ORIENTATION
Structure Parking
BLOCK PATTERN & STREETSCAPE
Short Block Grid Urban Streets

HOUSING TYPE
Multifamily	Single-Family
BUILDING HEIGHTS
2-3 stories	2-3 stories
DENSITY
15 DUA	16 DUA
INTENSITY & SCALE
Low Intensity Low/Mid-rise Scale	High Intensity Low/Mid-rise Scale
PARKING ORIENTATION
Surface Lots & Garages	Garages & On-Street Parking
BLOCK PATTERN & STREETSCAPE
Gridded Blocks Traditional Residential Streets	Short Block Grid Urban Streets

Terms

same building form - different density

SAME DENSITY - DIFFERENT BUILDING FORM

Density Examples

Heritage Creekside West Homes

Madison Estates

Village at Legacy

Horizon at Premier

Pheasant Landing

Livingston Apartments

Rice Field

The Icon at Legacy West

15th Street Village 1

Preserve at Preston

Heritage Creekside West Townhomes

Cityscape at Market Center

Aura One90

McDermott 55

Savannah at Gateway

Legacy Town Center Town Homes

Windrose Tower

Huntington Apartments

Legacy Town Center North

Jada Legacy Central

Junction 15

Kincaid at Legacy

LVL 29

Density comparisons by housing type

Single-Family Types

Townhome Types

Multifamily Types

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