Carrollton Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - November 4, 2021

The Carrollton Planning & Zoning Commission met on Thursday, November 4, 2021, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1945 E. Jackson Road. A briefing session began at 5:30 p.m. with the swearing in of new commissioners, a training session, and staff presentations on agenda items; no public testimony was taken. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:32 p.m. The commission has nine members; Commissioners Yarborough and Foster were absent, leaving seven members present.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The commission approved the minutes of the October 7, 2021, meeting.
• Replat - Carrollton Commerce Center Lot 7R-B, Block C (PLRP 2021-166): Final action approved a replat of the approximately 7.4-acre tract at the northwest corner of Old Denton Road and West Jackson Road to establish new easements. The replat includes dedication of a 10-foot street easement on the southern portion of the lot for a right-hand turn lane. Staff recommended approval, with a memorandum from the transportation engineer affirming that the dedication was necessary and proportional to the proposed development.
• Technical Site Plan - Old Denton and Jackson Retail Center (PLTSP 2021-165): Final action approved a technical site plan for a retail center with a drive-through window on the same approximately 7.4-acre tract. Staff stated the site plan conforms to the HC Heavy Commercial District and that the drive-through meets required queuing and stacking spaces (one at the window and five behind it). Approval included a stipulation that development be in general conformance with the conceptual site plan, landscape plan, and building elevations.

The consent agenda was moved by Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Windrow, and approved unanimously by all seven voting members.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public speakers came forward for either public hearing item; the commission closed both public hearings after seeing no one wishing to testify.

Discussion Items

Kensington Place Revised (PLZ 2021-168)

• The applicant requested an amendment to Planned Development District 217 on the approximately 28.5-acre property at the northwest corner of Charles Street and Warmington Drive, north of Plano Parkway. The proposal would revise the conceptual landscape and buffering plans to remove the tubular steel fence requirement from the southernmost border and to allow the home builder to choose between six-foot board-on-board or six-foot tubular steel fencing along the northern border.
• Staff supported removing the southern tubular steel fence because landscaping is already provided there and the change would create a more open appearance. However, staff opposed allowing each individual lot to choose its fence type along the northern perimeter, arguing it would create a 'mishmash.' Staff interpreted the current language as allowing one fence type for the entire northern perimeter, and stated the city attorney's office supported that interpretation; the applicant disagreed.
• Commissioner Powell asked whether an HOA could be required to prohibit homeowners from building privacy fences inside a wrought-iron fence. Staff responded that the city cannot direct an HOA to put such language in its covenants, conditions, and restrictions.
• Commissioner Denholm asked about the open area north of the site. Staff explained it is an easement rather than a future street, contains utilities and overhead power lines, and is intended to remain open space where residents could walk dogs.
• The applicant was not present.

CZO Text Amendment - Pet Day Care (PLZT 2021-132)

• Staff proposed amending Article V (Use of Land and Structures) to add 'Pet Day Care' to the land use matrix in several districts, including the Downtown Transit Center District (Historic Square, Urban Core, and Urban General sub-districts) and the Trinity Mills Transit Center District, and amending Article XXXIV (Definitions) to define the use.
• Staff explained that demand for personal services has increased in transit-oriented areas, noting there are already about 1,000 multifamily units in downtown Carrollton. The proposed 'Pet Day Care' use would allow daytime care, grooming, and training of dogs and cats, but would prohibit overnight stays and would not include veterinary clinics. Staff reviewed other cities and found that, except for Grapevine, other cities with downtowns or transit-oriented districts allowed some form of daytime pet care or grooming.
• The proposed amendments had been reviewed by the city's transit-oriented development committee. No commissioner questions were asked.

Other Business

• Election of 1st Vice Chair: Commissioner Denholm nominated Commissioner Powell; Commissioner Powell was elected unanimously by show of hands.
• Staff Reports: Staff reported on Carrollton City Council actions from October 12, 2021:
  • The council unanimously approved CZO text amendments regarding outdoor nursery and garden centers, the definition of temporary use, and certain special use permit uses.
  • The council denied a prior commission recommendation for Poppy K Tattoos, a tattoo parlor at the corner of Marsh and Keller Springs.
  • The council also denied the special use permit for Clear Water Express car wash at the southwest corner of Hebron and Marsh Lane.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (items 1-3) approved 7-0.
• Kensington Place Revised (PLZ 2021-168) approved 7-0 with stipulations, including replacing the conceptual landscape plan while keeping the approved development regulations the same.
• CZO Pet Day Care text amendment (PLZT 2021-132) approved 7-0.
• Commissioner Powell was elected 1st Vice Chair for a one-year term.
• Public hearings for both agenda items were closed with no public testimony.