More Than Multifamily: Creating Connectivity and Community at McKinney Ranch 

Located in one of the fastest-growing corridors in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, McKinney Ranch is a 350-unit multifamily development in McKinney, Texas, positioned in a highly visible area adjacent to McKinney ISD’s $70 million football stadium.  

As Allen Harrison pursued its third major development in this competitive market, the project faced early hurdles, including zoning challenges and the need to coordinate with multiple property owners and the City of McKinney to extend an arterial roadway through the site. Bohler helped to successfully navigate these constraints, unlocking the site’s full potential and maintaining project momentum. 

Leading Rezoning Efforts

The McKinney Ranch site was originally zoned for entertainment uses, with the City expressing a preference for retail development. However, despite the area’s rapid growth, the corridor lacked the daily trip volumes needed to support a large-scale retail destination. Multifamily emerged as a more appropriate and compatible use. 

Bohler drove the submission of a Planned Development to rezone the property for multifamily use, establishing comprehensive development standards that addressed everything from open space, landscaping, and amenities to parking ratios and building heights. The effort ultimately secured approval for a 350-unit community. 

Improving Infrastructure

A major component of the project involved extending more than 1,000 linear feet of Collin McKinney Parkway through the site to create a new connection between existing intersections and relieve congestion surrounding the nearby stadium. “From a site civil engineering perspective, the roadway extension meant significant infrastructure improvements,” said Bohler Branch Manager Mathias Haubert. “It required the coordination and installation of new utility connections throughout the entire corridor.”  

In addition to the on-site roadway, Bohler led a series of off-site improvements, including roadway widening, new turn lanes, and the reconfiguration of the connecting intersection into a four-way intersection. 

Reducing Drainage Impacts Downstream

Stormwater management was a key consideration for McKinney Ranch, with a floodway running across the southern portion of the site draining toward Sloan Creek. Bohler collaborated closely with a hydrologic consultant to develop a thoughtful stormwater strategy that protects downstream conditions while supporting the overall site layout.  

On the north side of the roadway, a series of intentionally undersized culverts creates controlled ponding to temporarily detain stormwater. The culverts then gradually release water across the site and into the existing drainage system, effectively reducing peak runoff and preventing added downstream impacts. 

Informing Design Through Survey Solutions

Bohler’s survey team played a critical role from the start, conducting due diligence, topographic surveying, and an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey to surface site constraints, entitlements, and potential cost drivers before they could become obstacles. By establishing a clear understanding of the site early, the team set the stage for smarter planning decisions throughout the project. “The survey team’s work informed context-sensitive site planning and a strategic platting approach,” said Mathias. “Particularly the extensive coordination around easements, right-of-way dedications, and off-site improvements associated with the roadway extension.”  

The team then carried that momentum through to execution, delivering conveyance plats, final plats, and separate legal instruments, including deeds, easements, and boundary adjustments that helped ensure accurate property documentation and recording. Bohler’s surveyors also took the lead on coordination with adjacent property owners and utility providers, navigating the complexities of a major transmission line along the roadway. By preparing precise legal descriptions and easement exhibits, the team facilitated approvals, streamlined land acquisition, and secured encroachment agreements — ultimately reducing risk and keeping the project moving forward at every stage. 

Phasing Design and Permitting

Bohler structured a unique permitting strategy around two distinct permits — one for the Collin McKinney Parkway extension and one for the multifamily community.  

Through intentional planning, right-of-way dedication, and design coordination, the team enabled the roadway to be constructed, accepted, and closed out on an independent timeline. This phased approach to permitting and sequencing provided the client with greater flexibility, reduced construction constraints, and supported a more efficient overall project delivery. 

Creating a Unique Experience for the Community

Open space was intentionally leveraged at McKinney Ranch to create a unique and meaningful experience for both residents and the surrounding community. With development limited on the south side of the roadway, the project preserved nearly six acres of uninterrupted open space. 

The plan includes opportunities for a sports court, playground, and hiking and biking trails, transforming a constraint into a standout amenity. Bohler worked closely with the developer to navigate accessibility requirements and thoughtfully integrate the recreation area with on-site amenities and regional trail connections, enhancing both livability and community connectivity. 

Unlocking the Site’s Potential

Through intentional planning and creative problem-solving, Bohler transformed a complex site into a high-performing community asset. Leading surveying, rezoning, permitting, and infrastructure design, the team helped Allen Harrison Company navigate risk and unlock the site’s full potential.  

By integrating resilient infrastructure, meaningful open space, and improved connectivity, the project not only met development goals but also delivered lasting value to the surrounding community — proving that with the right strategy, multifamily can be more than housing; it can be a catalyst for growth.