**Updated at bottom of article** On February 19, the Forney City Council voted on a request from USA Professional Services Group, a land surveyor company, to approve a preliminary plat of 14.317 acres in the Meadow Ridge Farm planned Development District near the new Gateway Bridge. The piece of land will be used to build an upscale apartment complex called The Cedars at Gateway.
**Updated at bottom of article** On February 19, the Forney City Council voted on a request from USA Professional Services Group, a land surveyor company, to approve a preliminary plat of 14.317 acres in the Meadow Ridge Farm planned Development District near the new Gateway Bridge. The piece of land will be used to build an upscale apartment complex called The Cedars at Gateway.
The project will be located north of Highway 80, east of FM 548, and south of Reeder Lane. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted on February 7 to recommend approval of the plat. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the plat, which according to the City's summary statement will, “establish the necessary utility easements and dedications for the correct use and development of the lot.” No development can occur before a final plat and civil engineering approval are given by the Forney City Council.
Related: Forney's Gateway Bridge project on track for Fall 2013 completion
According to Kaufman County records, the owners of The Cedars at Gateway is a group out of Dallas called Gateway Holdings. The property will eventually hold a 300 unit apartment complex that will contain only 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. The Cedars at Gateway project may begin building as early as this Spring.
Herbert Hunt has invested millions of dollars in the Gateway Bridge project and in the Meadow Ridge Farm development. Beyond The Cedars at Gateway apartments, there are major plans for retail, dining, and entertainment development near the new Gateway Bridge on the North side of Highway 80. The bridge itself will serve to help better connect the north side of Forney and the south side Forney. See February aerial photos of the Gateway Bridge at the bottom of this article.
During the same Council meeting, a public hearing was held to discuss a request to rezone the 663.510 acres east of FM 548, south of Reeder Lane, and north of Highway 80. No one from the public spoke for or against the proposal and the Council members voted unanimously to approve it. The original development standards were focused on non-residential use, whereas the new amendment “focuses more on muti-family use and provides more options to design and develop a multi-family project.” Councilman James Hatley said, “I look forward to this opportunity to deal with this issue...I think this is the first step...for when we have a concept plan.”
Related: Future housing and retail coming to I-20 and FM 741 in Forney
Updated Feb. 20, 8:40 p.m. The original article stated that there would be a limited number of 3 bedroom apartments, but the developer has changed that and will offer only 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Per Mayor Rozell, there will be 334 units total, with 246 one bedroom apartments and 88 of the 2 bedroom apartments. Mayor Rozell made it clear that the City of Forney wants to encourage home ownership, but that these apartments "will appeal to young professionals in our area...teachers, nurses, medical assistants,etc...who really want to be in Forney, don't need a full house, or don't want to make the housing commitment because their job may have them move in a year or two." The first apartments may be ready to lease in about a year and the entire complex will take 18 months to complete.