Carrollton Planning & Zoning Commission Briefing and Regular Meeting – October 1, 2020

The Carrollton Planning and Zoning Commission met on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1945 E. Jackson Rd., following a 6:15 p.m. briefing session. All nine commission members were present. The commission unanimously approved the September 3, 2020 meeting minutes, a five-item consent agenda, and a zoning amendment allowing Metrocrest Services to occupy and develop a PD-218 site in phases. No public testimony was offered during the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda item 2 – Case PL RP 2020-110: Replat of Simmons Parkway Hayes Booth Additions, Booth Industrial District, Sandy Lake Road Development Company Addition, Western Extrusion Addition, Harley Davidson of North Texas Addition, Western Extrusions Corporation Tract, and abandoned right-of-way, totaling approximately 64.4 acres along the south side of Sandy Lake Road and north side of Luna Road, approximately 150 feet west of IH-35E. The replat creates one lot, dedicates easements and right-of-way for the Booth Drive cul-de-sac. Approved with staff stipulations and a finding that the right-of-way dedication is necessary and proportional to the proposed development.
• Agenda item 3 – Case PL FP 2020-106: Conveyance plat for Raiford Addition, Phase 3, an approximately 11.34-acre tract located approximately 800 feet north of E. Trinity Mills Road, between Raiford and McCoy Roads. Approved.
• Agenda item 4 – Case PL RP 2020-107: Replat of The Retreat at Carrollton Marchant Hebron Addition, Block A, Lot 2R, an approximately 4.31-acre tract at 4010 Nazarene Drive. Approved with staff stipulations.
• Agenda item 5 – Case PL RP 20-109: Replat of Thomas Place, an approximately 19.977-acre tract on the east side of Denton Drive and north side of Hutton Branch Creek. Approved.
• Agenda item 6 – Case PL TSP 2020-096: Technical site plan for Grand Plaza Center, an approximately 7.4-acre tract at the northwest corner of East Jackson Road and Old Denton Road. Approved with staff stipulations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward to speak on the public hearing item or any other agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Agenda item 1 – Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the September 3, 2020 telephonic Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes.
• Agenda item 7 – Public hearing, Case PL Z 2020-108 Metrocrest Services - 2: Staff presented a request to amend Planned Development District 218 on an approximately 5-acre tract at the northwest corner of Josey Lane and Walnut Avenue. The original PD, approved by the city council in June 2020, contemplated constructing a new facility before the use began. Due to increased demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Metrocrest Services requested approval to move into the existing church building on the property in phases.
  • Phase one would include closing and gating the existing Walnut Avenue driveway with emergency-access-only gate (a pipe rail gate with Knox padlock per the fire marshal), installing an ornamental metal fence and evergreen shrubs near the south property line, creating a new entry on Josey Lane, constructing a temporary fire lane, adding parking on the east side of the existing church, and placing a temporary shipping container shelter for food pantry volunteers.
  • Phase two would include constructing the permanent fire lane, completing landscaping on the northeast side, adding a new driveway access to Pearl Street, and providing additional parking. The Walnut Avenue driveway would remain gated.
  • Phase three, to be completed within a five-year period, would include completing the new building, demolishing the existing building, completing the driveway along the south side, permanently closing the Walnut Avenue access, and completing perimeter landscaping.
  • Staff recommended approval and stated the phasing was appropriate.
  • The applicant, representing the Ratliff Group of Coppell, Texas, explained that phase one improvements would allow Metrocrest Services to establish a permanent 1145 Josie Lane address before moving in, preventing deliveries and GPS routing to the Walnut Avenue entrance and reducing neighborhood traffic. The temporary shelter would protect volunteers working outdoors in the drive-thru food distribution during the pandemic. Deliveries would use box trucks, not 18-wheelers. The food pantry would operate in the former sanctuary, offices in former classrooms, and back-of-house functions in the former parish hall.
  • The applicant noted the property is expected to close in December 2020, the existing church would remain for 90 days after closing, and Metrocrest Services would likely move in around May 2021. A bus stop is located adjacent to the Josey Lane driveway, with another bus route on Belt Line Road one block south.
  • Commissioner questions addressed the future stormwater detention pond and community garden shown on the phase three plan, the gate design, and pedestrian/bus access.
  • In response to a commissioner question, staff explained that because the use is within a planned development tied to a concept plan, the commission’s review and stipulations are required; straight zoning would not allow the same development standards.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September 3, 2020 meeting minutes unanimously, 9 to 0.
• Approved the consent agenda (agenda items 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) unanimously, 9 to 0, with staff stipulations on items 2, 4, and 6, and the right-of-way dedication finding on item 2.
• Closed the public hearing and approved Case PL Z 2020-108 Metrocrest Services - 2 unanimously, 9 to 0, with staff stipulations.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. The chair recognized departing commissioners Larry Kaiser and Chad Everett for completing their terms on the commission.