The Forney Planning and Zoning Commission approved an amendment to the Meadow Ridge planned-development overlay district to permit cottage-style multifamily development on 17.64 acres north of North Gateway Boulevard and east of Reeder Road.

The amendment establishes a concept plan and development standards tailored to cottage-style (villa-like) multifamily buildings rather than large, single-structure multifamily. The applicant presented a unit mix of 14 studio units, 82 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units and 27 three-bedroom units for a total of 200 units.

Staff and the applicant said the proposed standards mirror those used for a nearby Avila project, including minimum floor area per unit, modified yard setbacks for the smaller building footprints and amenity commitments. The plan shows gated access from Reeder Road and Cypress Hollow Drive, a leasing center adjacent to pool and amenity areas, a dog park and pickleball courts.

The applicant requested that those on-site amenities satisfy parkland dedication requirements rather than paying fees or dedicating separate parkland; staff presented that request and commissioners discussed trail connectivity obligations within the Meadow Ridge planned-development district. Staff noted the property sits at the northern edge of the PD and that trail connections to adjacent development are anticipated through other projects.

Eddie Ceccida of LJ Engineering spoke for the applicant and said no end user has been identified yet for the properties; utilities and site servicing are being coordinated with High Point SUD.

After public notification and no recorded public opposition, the commission voted to approve the amendment. The applicant subsequently withdrew related action items (detailed site plan and preliminary plat) to allow staff and the applicant to finish outstanding traffic impact analysis before returning for plan and plat approval.

Next steps include the applicant returning with a completed traffic impact analysis and finalized site-plan and plat materials for commission review.