Two multitenant office buildings will now be able to house retail and service businesses after Richardson City Council unanimously approved a rezoning for additional uses in their Dec. 8 meeting.

The overview: Owner Taylor Pardue said there has been limited interest in traditional office spaces since 2020, and he has been unable to acquire new tenants for the buildings, located at 508 Twilight Trail.

However, he said they have received interest from a wide variety of retail and service businesses that were not permitted under the plaza's zoning.

The details: The proposed uses include:

• Bakery
• Community garden
• Fine arts studio
• Health club
• Personal care services
• Community theater
• Florist
• Photography/art studio
• Restaurant without drive-through or curb service
• Retail

Urbane Aesthetics & Wellness opened to patients on Nov. 14 in Richardson’s Eastside Plaza.

Originally founded by nurse practitioner Traci Hawkins in 2014, Urbane Aesthetics relocated from a smaller Richardson location and expanded its range of services. The medspa offers personalized care for everything from hair and skin care to injectables, laser treatment, hormone therapy and medical weight loss. They are currently welcoming patients but planning for a grand opening in February.

• Opened Nov. 14
• 700 E Campbell Road, Ste. 170, Richardson

Whataburger and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers will be opening new spots inside Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. There is also one eatery that is leaving the airport. 

What's happening? A lease agreement with MultiRestaurants Concepts, LTD was discussed at the DFW Airport board meeting in November, while Cane’s confirmed a new location will be coming to the airport.

According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the $2.17 million project started Dec. 8 and has an estimated finish of June 5. The 3,102-square-foot space is listed as a remodel/conversion.

Also of note: Work has started on Raising Cane’s first airport location, which will be Terminal B, near gate 19.
The hand-battered chicken fingers restaurant, based in Plano, started work on the new location in November, according to a spokesperson.

One more thing: The board approved a lease amendment with EatZi’s, which was located in Terminal D, at gate 5. The involuntary termination was due to the result of traffic patterns for new terminal F, according to board documents.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled a plan Dec. 9 to further raise property tax exemptions for Texas homeowners and lower the age at which Texans qualify for additional tax relief during the 2027 state legislative session.

The details: Deemed “Operation Double Nickel,” Patrick’s three-part plan asks state lawmakers to:

• Raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, by $40,000
• Allow homeowners who are at least 55 years old to qualify for a larger exemption reserved for seniors and people with disabilities
• Pass legislation to drive down property taxes charged by local governments