From
Chris Hartmann
Title
S180404 - Site Plan - Forum Drive Apartments (City Council District 2). Site Plan for Forum at Robinson Apartments Phase 1 with 272 apartment units on 8.047 acres. Tract 1, Frederick Dohme Survey, Abstract 395 PG 110, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned PD-294D, within Interstate 20 and Highway 161 Corridor Overlay District, generally located at the Northwest Corner of S. Forum Dr. and Robinson Rd. The applicant is Jeff Fulenchek, Carleton Development, Ltd. and the owner is Charles Anderson, TA Southgate Land Partners. (On May 7, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this request by a vote of 9-0).
Presenter
David P. Jones, AICP, Chief City Planner
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
SUMMARY:
S180404 -Site Plan - Site Plan for Forum at Robinson Apartments Phase 1 with 272 apartment units on 8.047 acres. Tract 1, Frederick Dohme Survey, Abstract No. 395, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned PD-294D, within Interstate 20 and Highway 161 Corridor Overlay District, generally located at the Northwest Corner of S. Forum Dr. and Robinson Rd.
ADJACENT LAND USES AND ACCESS:
North: Undeveloped property zoned PD-294 (General Retail and Multi-Family)
South: Undeveloped property zoned PD-294 (General Retail and Multi-Family)
East: Single Family Residential property zoned SF-2 (Residential)
West: Undeveloped property zoned PD-331 (Commercial)
PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The purpose of the request is to develop 273 apartment units on 8.047 acres within a Planned Development District.
USE CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTION:
The proposed Site Plan consists of three buildings with 272 units. The easternmost building fronting Robinson Rd is three stories while the building front Forum Drive and the building interior to the site are four stories. The building along Forum Drive displays a prominant corner feature at Forum and the entrance to the development, while the other buildings are set back behind rows of parking. Phase I is part of a larger planned development incorporating additional apartment units to the north, and retail and hotel uses to the west along 161. With Phase I, internal drives will be partially constructed and will be expanded as the rest of the development is built. Site Plan development of Phase I is reviewed against the approved Concept Plan (Exhibit A).
DENSITY AND DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS:
Development standards conform to the zoning as detailed in the approved PD standards (attached) and in the table below:
|
Table 1: Proposed Development Standards |
|
Standard |
Approved with PD |
Proposed |
|
Maximum Density |
35 du per acre |
33.8 du per acre |
|
Min. Front Setback |
10 feet |
Meets Requirement |
|
Min. Rear Setback |
10 feet |
Meets Requirement |
|
Min. Interior S Setback |
20 feet |
Meets Requirement |
|
Min. Street S Setback |
10 feet |
Meets Requirement |
|
Max Height* |
See Below |
Meets Requirement |
|
Min Masonry Content |
80% |
80% |
|
|
|
|
|
Parking |
|
|
|
1 bedroom |
1.25 space per dwelling unit |
Meets requirement |
|
2 bedroom |
2 per unit |
Meets requirement |
PARKING AND CONNECTIVITY:
Per the approved PD, walk-up entrances shall be provided along multi-family building facades fronting a street. The applicant is providing walk-up entrances along all units fronting a street. The units fronting Robinson and the corner at Forum represent a significant deviation from the approved Concept Plan which showed minimal setbacks and no parking between the street and the front of the unit.
A minimum of 15% of the required parking shall be attached garages. The applicant is proposing 16% garages. Direct access from an attached garage into the building's hall corridor may be provided in lieu of direct access to individual dwelling units. All other provisions relating to attached garages shall be provided in accordance with the UDC, as amended. Street trees and other landscape plantings shall be provided along Robinson Road to block noises and create a safe pedestrian environment.
REQUESTED APPEALS:
Appendix W requires minimum unit size of 600 sf (proposing 574 sf)
Appendix W allows up to 60% one bedrooms units (proposing 66%)
RECOMMENDATION:
DRC recommends approval as presented.
PZ RECOMMENDATION:
At its May 7, 2018 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve as presented.