The Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 20 to recommend approval of a planned development and corresponding land‑use amendment for Natera’s proposed world headquarters and distribution center.

The proposal would reclassify roughly 25.4 acres at the southwest corner of Point West Boulevard and Dividend Drive from Freeway Special District to Industrial Special District and approve a conceptual plan for a 439,689‑square‑foot building with an approximately 45,000‑square‑foot office component and about 400,000 square feet of warehouse space. The applicant told the commission the consolidated campus would house about 250 employees (roughly 200 office and 50 warehouse positions).

Matt Steer, Coppell’s development services administrator, said staff could not support the land‑use change because it conflicts with the 2030 Comprehensive Master Plan’s vision for the site. "Staff is recommending denial of PD‑221 R4RLI and industrial special district land use plan amendment," Steer said, citing the plan’s call for a Freeway Special District and the city’s long‑term vision for a gateway area.

Company representatives and the landowner argued the economic and practical realities have changed since the plan’s 2011 adoption. John Song, who introduced himself as CEO of Natera International, told the commission the project is not speculative: "We are very proud residents of Coppell and we would love to stay here going forward and into the future," Song said. He and other presenters said the consolidated headquarters would represent roughly $275 million in assets and bring higher‑paying jobs to the city.

Technical details presented to the commission included: 368 proposed parking spaces (348 required by ordinance), two retention ponds with fountains, roughly 197 overstory trees proposed for the site, and building heights around 50–55 feet. Traffic consultant Dan Gallagher said trip generation for this user is generally lower than retail or hotel uses and that the site’s truck generation would be modest; the team and staff later cited about 35 truck trips per day for full operation. The applicant said warehouse operations would run roughly 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Commissioners debated the tradeoffs between the 2011 master‑plan vision and current market conditions. Several commissioners said the property has sat undeveloped for years under the current designation and that an owner‑occupied headquarters could be a better long‑term outcome than a speculative retail or hotel project. Commissioner Ed Marr moved to recommend approval subject to staff conditions and a required detailed site plan; the motion was seconded and carried on a 5–0 roll call.

The commission’s recommendation now moves to the City Council for final consideration and ordinance adoption. If council acts, the project will return with required detailed plan documents and engineering review.