North Richland Hills Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - November 7, 2024

The North Richland Hills Planning and Zoning Commission met on Thursday, November 7, 2024, for a work session at 6:00 PM followed by a regular meeting at 7:08 PM in City Hall, 4301 City Point Drive. Six members were present: Chair Justin Welborn, Vice Chair Greg Stamps, Secretary Jared Ross, Commissioner Jayashree Narayana, Commissioner Amy McMahon, and Alternate Aaron Carpenter (voting for an absent regular member). Commissioners Bryan Kidd, Brianne Goetz, and Alternate Paul Epperley were absent. The commission approved two final plats and four zoning-related requests, all by unanimous 6-0 votes, and discussed future standards for drone delivery staging areas. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.

Work Session

• Managing Director Clayton Comstock gave announcements: Veterans Day events, a November 12 Davis Boulevard median public meeting, city office closures, the December 5 Christmas tree lighting, and recent City Council actions including approval of the Davis Boulevard HTO, the Mid-Cities HTO opening, a new restaurant rewards program, and an agreement with Birdville ISD for school resource officers.
• Comstock reviewed agenda items, including two final plats, a planned development revision, a special use permit, and two zoning changes.
• The commission discussed Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) staging area standards. Comstock noted that Wing Aviation operates at two Walmart locations under one-year temporary special use permits approved in February 2024, averaging about 150 deliveries per day across all five DFW sites (~30 per site). He presented potential ordinance standards: maximum lot area, structure height, residential setbacks, parking reductions, screening, and approval processes. Commissioners expressed support for flexibility, case-by-case review, and learning from other cities (Plano and Lewisville). Comstock said staff would draft a flexible ordinance for discussion in early 2025, before Wing's permits sunset.
• Commissioner Narayana proposed a future work session discussion on using a consent agenda for routine plat approvals. The commission reached consensus to place this on a future agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes – September 19, 2024: Approved 6-0. (Minutes record 7-0, but only six voting members were present; the transcript confirms 6-0.)
• Minutes – October 3, 2024: Approved 6-0. (Same discrepancy noted above.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No citizens spoke during the public comments portion or during any public hearing.

Discussion Items

• PLAT24-0077 – Smithfield Station Addition Final Plat: Applicant Blake Poston (Cover 2 Capital) requested final plat approval for 5.998 acres at the northwest corner of Smithfield Road and Arthur Drive. The project includes 208 multifamily units, 15 townhome lots, 10,290 square feet of commercial space, and a parking garage. Staff recommended approval subject to Development Review Committee (DRC) conditions and City Council abandonment of the Guy Street right-of-way. Approved 6-0.
• PLAT24-0078 – Wayfarer Addition Final Plat: Applicant Todd Bowers (Redinger Group LLC) requested final plat approval for 2.913 acres at 6716 Stardust Drive. The plat includes 14 single-family residential lots and four open space lots within a Residential Infill Planned Development district. Approved 6-0 with DRC conditions and abandonment of the Stardust Drive right-of-way.
• ZC24-0110 – Community Enrichment Center PD 7 Revision: The applicant requested a revision to Planned Development 7 at 6250 NE Loop 820 to allow the existing chain-link fence with slat inserts to serve as the required screening for an outdoor storage area, rather than a masonry wall, so two 40-foot shipping containers (funded by ARPA) could be placed there. Nicholas Powell and Brent Weast presented the request, citing increased service levels and storage needs. Approved 6-0.
• ZC24-0111 – Roach Special Use Permit: Matthew and Brittany Roach requested a special use permit for a permanent accessory building (up to 3,600 square feet, 16-foot eave walls, and about 26-foot height) on a 2.04-acre lot at 8611 Timber Drive. The code otherwise permits up to 2,220 square feet, 12-foot walls, and 25-foot height. The motion included an allowance for a 3:12 roof pitch to reduce overall height. Commissioner Ross asked to cap the building at 3,000 square feet, but the motion did not include that limit. Approved 6-0.
• ZC24-0112 – Munoz Zoning Change: Justin Munoz requested a change from AG (Agricultural) to R-1 (Single-Family Residential) for 2.10 acres at 6832 Walter Street, intending to subdivide the lot and build a new home. Approved 6-0.
• ZC24-0113 – Hoberer Zoning Change: Scott Hoberer requested a change from AG to R-2 (Single-Family Residential) for 0.73 acres at 8900 Amundson Drive. The applicant was absent; the commission proceeded after noting no public opposition. The request is needed to regularize a carport constructed without permits and allow platting and permitting. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• All six action items were approved unanimously (6-0), each with staff's recommended conditions where applicable.
• The four public hearing items (ZC24-0110 through ZC24-0113) will be forwarded to City Council for consideration on November 11, 2024.
• The Guy Street right-of-way abandonment (associated with PLAT24-0077) is scheduled for City Council on December 9, 2024.
• Staff will develop a draft UAS staging area ordinance for commission discussion in early 2025.
• A future work session will discuss a potential consent agenda for routine plat approvals.

Note: The official minutes contain an internal inconsistency listing Commissioner Brianne Goetz as absent but later as present; the transcript and vote totals confirm she was absent and all votes were 6-0.