The Plano City Council approved a controversial growth plan late Monday that drew opposition from hundreds of residents who spoke in a last-ditch effort at a public hearing earlier that evening.
After hearing hours of public statements, the council voted 6-2 in favor of Plano Tomorrow, which city officials called a blueprint that is necessary to guide the city's large population growth.
In the next 20 to 30 years, Plano city officials expect a population boom of 300,000 people and 15,000 additional housing units.
"The plan is a framework for our land use decisions and a framework for the community," said Plano Director of Planning Christina Day. "It's really giving Plano guidance for the future. What does Plano want to be in the next 20 to 30 years?"
Residents argued the plan doesn't protect Plano's suburban nature. Some believed it would open the door to too many apartments, leading to more congestion and an overall degradation of communities.
"This push to pack more people into the city and make it more urban is inconsistent with our view of Plano as a suburban community," said Jim Dillavou.
Dillavou and opponents of the plan were concerned high-density apartments would be built instead of single-family homes.
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Opponents told council members it would also hurt the quality of education at schools and safety in the area.
NBC 5's Meredith Yeomans contributed to this report.
