The Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 20 voted to recommend approval of a plan‑development revision and land‑use amendment that would allow Natera to build an owner‑occupied headquarters and distribution center at the southwest corner of Point West Boulevard and Dividend Drive.

Staff had recommended denial because the application requests a change from the codified Freeway Special District in the 2030 comprehensive master plan to an Industrial Special District. During its presentation, staff noted the property's history of rezoning activity, the city's desire for a gateway experience on that quadrant, and that the requested change departs from the master plan vision.

Natera representatives and the current owner described a local investment and job‑creation plan. John Song, CEO of Natera International, told the commission the company intends to consolidate three sites into one headquarters in Coppell, raising staff from about 100 to roughly 250 employees, and said the average annual wage for those employees would be about $98,000. Mark Pross of Pross Design and Jared Mahan of Capital Commercial described an owner‑occupied campus with an estimated $275 million in combined real‑estate assets and emphasized the project is not speculative.

Technical panels described the proposal as roughly a 45,000‑square‑foot office component and a 400,000‑square‑foot warehouse with 368 proposed parking spaces and two retention ponds. Traffic consultants estimated roughly 35 truck trips per day associated with distribution activity and said the site's circulation and regional access were manageable; the warehouse hours were presented as about 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., with office hours roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Commissioners debated plan consistency and market realities. Several commissioners said market conditions and the parcel's development history made the application a reasonable alternative to the original master plan vision. Commissioner Ed Marr moved to recommend approval subject to staff conditions including submission of a detailed site plan for P&Z and council review; the motion passed in roll call with the commission recording all ayes and the motion carrying.

The commission's recommendation and conditions will be forwarded to the city council for final action.