P&Z considers another distribution center

During its Dec. 02, 2019 meeting, the Forney Planning & Zoning Commission met to consider legal housekeeping, another distribution warehouse, Chipotle, McDonald's 2, Brainiac, Trinity Capital Bank. (watch official video)

• Held Public Hearings -
  • Approved an amendment to the City of Forney Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of the amendment is to amend the procedures for land development applications to ensure compliance with state law.
        Mr. Morgan said the law (HB 3167) became effective Sep. 1, it forces cities to speed up approval process.   Forney process already complies with new law.   This lays out specific requirements for the process time-line.   Mr. Shimkus verified ordinance already meets requirements.
        There was no public input.
    
  • Approved an amendment to the City of Forney Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of the amendment is to amend exterior construction material requirements to ensure compliance with state law.
        Mr. Morgan said HB 2439 provides that a city may not prohibit or limit a building material; any material is allowed by state law if it is approved by a national model code published in the last 3 cycles.   This means the city may not regulate percentage of masonry; previously could require 80% masonry.   Development agreements may still be enforced, such as the Overland Grove development.   HOAs may also enforce requirements.   The only exception is for properties in existing historic districts.
        There was no public input.
    
  • Approved a request to rezone 50.541 acres from Agricultural District to Planned Development District with a base zoning of Light Industrial District. The property is located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of S. Gateway Boulevard.
        Mr. Morgan said the next 4 items are related to this.   Zoning request is located S. of Gateway Bridge. opposite of Goodyear distribution.   Currently zoned AG, as is most surrounding property.   Base zoning would be Light Industrial, with outside storage.   Plan shows 186,821 sq. ft. distribution center, access to Gateway Blvd.   Parking with routing, staging and loading areas are shown.   Signage requests are in the ordinance, staff sees no issues.   No responses received to public notices.
        There was no public input.

• Approved the DDX7 Addition preliminary plat, consisting of 50.541 acres located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of S. Gateway Boulevard.
      Mr. Morgan said the plans were revised for fire lane placement, in response to Fire Marshall comments.
  
• Approved the DDX7 Addition final plat, consisting of 50.541 acres located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of S. Gateway Boulevard.
  
• Approved the DDX7 Addition site plan, consisting of 50.541 acres located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of S. Gateway Boulevard.   Fire lane and features as previously discussed.
  
• Approved a site plan for Chipotle, located southeast of the intersection of East U.S. Highway 80 and F.M. 548.
      Mr. Morgan said this is East of Raising Canes, shares their driveway, with a 2,665 sq. ft. building w/ outdoor dining, 27 parking spaces.   The Drive-thru will have 7 stacking spaces.
  
• Approved a final plat for New Horizons Addition, located east of the F.M. 1641 and F.M. 548 intersection.
      Mr. Dixon said this is for McDonald's, the lot has shared access to FM 548.
  
• Approved a revised site plan for Brainiac Learning Academy, located at 109 E. U.S. Highway 80.
      Mr. Dixon said the request is to revise requirement for drop-off, which is to have semi-circular drop-off lane.   The applicant prefers using parking spaces, and wish to install an outdoor play area.   Mr. Wilcoxson asked what would keep traffic from backing up onto the service road; applicant Tyson Banks said each car would park, walk the children into the building, stating he has to do that at child-care he uses now.   He feels this is better than people parking in the semi-circular fire lane.   Mr. Cunningham asked how many parking spaces; over 30, some used by SkinSense which is not open at the school starting and ending times.   Mr. Chambers asked if the play area would be fenced; yes, will not have much play equipment.   Mr. Bingham asked about existing equipment in the area; the HVAC units will be fenced off.   Mr. Shimkus asked how many students; they will be limited by parking and other considerations, the state will set the maximum.
  
• Approved a preliminary plat for the Trinity Capital Bank Addition, located northeast of the intersection of F.M. 741 and Interstate Highway 20.
      Mr. Dixon said the 2 lots on 3.2 acres are outside city limits and complies with city subdivision ordinance.   This is S. of the Dollar General.