Carrollton Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Summary - November 2, 2023

The Carrollton Planning & Zoning Commission met on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Eight of nine commission members were present, with Commissioner Kramer absent. The regular meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. and adjourned at 8:10 p.m.; the posted briefing session was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The commission approved the consent agenda, held public hearings, failed one replat request, and forwarded several cases to the City Council.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the October 5, 2023 meeting minutes unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Powell, seconded by Commissioner Doyle.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For the Austin Hills replat (Item 2), staff reported eight written public comments, all opposing approval. No one spoke at the hearing, and the applicant did not appear.
• For Texas Car One (Item 4), applicant Homan Sapossi spoke, took responsibility for past unpermitted construction, and said he had corrected several items; real estate agent Kira Genji spoke in support, saying the owner wanted to remain in Carrollton and operate properly. No public opposition was noted.
• For Dallas Billiards and Academy (Item 5), an applicant/landlord representative said the venue would be an academy-style billiard hall with no bar, no smoking, no alcohol, and an 11:00 p.m. closing time. Staff had received one public comment, noted in the staff report.
• For El Paisa (Item 6), owner Jose Velasquez said the restaurant would complement Carrollton and that the existing El Paisa location would remain. No public comments were received.
• For Items 7, 8, and 9, no public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 - Austin Hills Replat and Drainage Easement Variance (PLRP 2023-091): Staff recommended approving the replat of a 0.3026-acre tract at 2313 Westlake Court and a variance to reduce the drainage easement from the 15-foot minimum to as little as 5 feet. The request followed construction of a pool without a permit, but the drainage pipe did not cross under the pool, and public works/engineering supported the reduction. Because more than 20% of notified neighboring property owners opposed the request, approval required at least 6 of the 8 present commissioners. Commissioner Doyle said he would vote no because the applicant did not attend.
• Item 3 - American Vintage Tattoo SUP (PLSUP 2023-099): No discussion or action was taken because public hearing notices did not properly notify property owners. The case was continued to the December 7, 2023 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.
• Item 4 - Texas Car One SUP Amendment (PLSUP 2023-100): Staff recommended amending SUP-486 at 1729 South Broadway to allow automobile/light-truck repair and paint/body shop work as accessory uses to the used-car dealership, along with a roughly 1,660-square-foot building addition. The applicant had previously been denied outdoor vehicle display and instead proposed keeping inventory indoors. Discussion addressed noise, bay-door orientation, code compliance, and past unpermitted construction. The motion to approve passed unanimously, with Commissioner Kramer absent.
• Item 5 - Dallas Billiards and Academy SUP (PLSUP 2023-101): Staff recommended approval of a special use permit for a billiard hall in a 3,200-square-foot suite at 2630 Old Denton Road, tied to a billiard academy. The project includes an approximately 5,270-square-foot addition to the existing 6,500-square-foot building. Parking was discussed; the building meets the requirement with two spaces above the minimum. The motion to approve passed unanimously, with Commissioner Kramer absent. The case was forwarded to City Council's December 5, 2023 meeting.
• Item 6 - El Paisa PD Amendment (PLZPD 2023-102): Staff recommended approval to repeal and reestablish PD-185 for an approximately 0.86-acre tract near Josey Lane and Parker Road to allow a limited-service restaurant with a drive-through window. Discussion covered the prior dental-office approval, the retained 40-foot landscape buffer, drive-through stacking exceeding the minimum by seven spaces, and a previously approved median cut. The motion to approve passed unanimously, with Commissioner Kramer absent. The case was forwarded to City Council's December 5, 2023 meeting.
• Item 7 - HP Overlay District Text Amendment (PLZT 2023-103): Staff presented a city-initiated amendment to Article XX.3 to clarify the HP Historic Preservation Overlay District, add intent, change the historic preservation advisory committee name and duties, add definitions and application criteria, and amend landmark/district designation processes. Administration would be shared by parks/recreation and development services. The motion to approve passed unanimously, with Commissioner Kramer absent. The case was forwarded to City Council's December 5, 2023 meeting.
• Item 8 - Airport Map Text Amendment (PLZT 2023-106): Staff recommended amending Article XXXII to update the Carrollton/Addison Airport zoning map date from 1979 to 2016. Commissioner Foster asked whether drones were addressed; staff said the zoning ordinance did not address drones. The motion to approve passed unanimously, with Commissioner Kramer absent. The case was forwarded to City Council's December 5, 2023 meeting.
• Item 9 - Dwelling Unit Definition Text Amendment (PLZT 2023-107): Staff recommended amending Article XXXIV to refine the definition of "dwelling unit" as a permanent residential unit for one family or common household, accessibly independent from other units, and to exclude transient accommodations such as hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals. Discussion addressed garage living arrangements and the separate existing definition of short-term rentals. The motion passed; Commissioner Martin voted no, and Commissioner Kramer was absent. The case was forwarded to City Council's December 5, 2023 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda, including the October 5, 2023 meeting minutes.
• Failed the Austin Hills replat and drainage easement variance request (PLRP 2023-091) because it did not receive the required six votes; the chair initially mentioned an appeal to city council but corrected that an appeal would go to district court.
• Continued the American Vintage Tattoo SUP case to December 7, 2023 due to defective notices.
• Approved Texas Car One, Dallas Billiards and Academy, El Paisa, HP Overlay District text amendment, Airport Map text amendment, and Dwelling Unit definition text amendment, all to be forwarded to the City Council's December 5, 2023 meeting.
• Commissioners noted staff should obtain a visible laser pointer for future presentations before adjourning at 8:10 p.m.