Residents of a small village outside Dallas have persuaded a developer to abandon plans to demolish lush green farmland in their community and convert it into a shopping center.
Fairview Farm Land Co. Seeks Rezoning for Development
The Haggards, a prominent family in Plano, have acquired a 13.5-acre portion of the farm with plans to develop it into a Sprouts grocery store, retail space, and around 33 townhomes.
The Fairview Farm Land Company, led by a member of the Haggard family, appealed to the city of Plano to rezone the land to proceed with the new development, Daily Mail reported.
However, homeowners strongly opposed the idea, and hundreds of messages were sent to Plano officials.
In a surprising turn of events, Fairview Farm Land Company has decided to withdraw its rezoning proposal after facing significant local pressure.
The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the request, ending the proposed shopping center.
'It's just such a residential neighborhood, we wanted to maintain its peaceful atmosphere,' said Sara Stettler, a resident who owns a home near the Haggard farm.
According to her, there are numerous vacant strip malls in the area, so construction was unnecessary here.
Sara Stettler, shown in the photo, expressed her opposition to the proposed change in land use, advocating for its preservation as a residential area if any development were to occur.
Haggards Sell Portions of Undeveloped Land Over Time
The 13.5-acre area is currently zoned for single-family homes or townhouses but not for retail. The Haggards can proceed with a revised proposal focusing exclusively on residential development.
Over the years, the Haggard family has sold or developed small portions of their undeveloped land.
The city council approved a significant mixed-use development in 2021. The development will cover 124 acres of Haggard farmland on the east side of the Dallas North Tollway.
Construction is progressing smoothly in the new area, including a hotel, a restaurant, commercial buildings, and housing.
Day acknowledged that despite the approval in 2021, which also faced significant community opposition, the city has implemented policies to prevent excessive retail shops from emerging and overpowering the area.
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