Frisco City Council unanimously approved new rules regarding how land can be used downtown with the goal of making the area more walkable at a meeting Oct. 21.

The change comes as city officials work to redevelop downtown with several projects, including a pedestrian plaza.

The details

The rules prohibit new businesses such as convenience stores with gas pumps and laundromats from opening in downtown.

The new rules also prohibit:

• Drive-thrus
• Big-box retailers
• Bus terminals
• Full-service car washes

Some land uses, such as for a community center, previously needed council approval. Now, they are permitted downtown.

The change is meant to align downtown with Frisco’s 2040 comprehensive plan and make the area more friendly to pedestrians.

The context

City officials were required to notify businesses that utilize these types of land uses before the proposed changes could be taken up by the planning and zoning commission or council.

Some businesses worried they would not be able to continue operating downtown under the new rules.

However, Planning Manager Chris Leonard said at an Oct. 21 meeting that these establishments would be allowed to continue operating as long as they didn’t cease operations for more than six months, per state law.