From
Chris Hartmann
Title
S200203 - Site Plan - Molto Warehouses at Hwy 161 and Rock Island Rd (City Council District 1). Site Plan for a 205,000 SF warehouse & a 250,000 SF warehouse on one lot. 42.78 acres out of the John C. Read Survey, Abstract 1183, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned Light Industrial (LI) District, within the SH-161 Corridor Overlay District, generally located southeast of SH 161 Service Road and W. Hardrock Road, and addressed as 3545 Hardrock Road, Grand Prairie, Texas. The applicant is Drew Hayes, Method Architecture, the consultant is Anna Medvedeva, Langan Engineering, and the owner is Chad Parrish, Molto Properties. (On June 22, 2020, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this request by a vote of 8-0).
Presenter
Savannah Ware, AICP, Chief City Planner
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
out of the John C. Read Survey, Abstract 1183, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned Light Industrial (LI) District, within the SH-161 Corridor Overlay District, generally located east of SH 161 and south of W Rock Island Rd.
PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The applicant intends to construct two warehouse buildings on 42.78 acres. Site Plan approval by City Council is required for any project involving industrial use or that is located within a Corridor Overlay District. Development at this location requires City Council approval of a Site Plan because the property is intended for industrial uses with buildings exceeding 50,000 square feet.
The purpose of site plan approval is to ensure that development meets requirements in the Unified Development Code (UDC), provides adequate circulation, and uses quality site planning techniques. The UDC identifies criteria for evaluating proposed developments. Criteria include density and dimensional standards, landscaping and screening requirements, and architectural design for special districts.
In addition, UDC’s Appendix X, Industrial Development Standards addresses potential adverse environmental, visual, and truck traffic associated with large warehouses, outside storage, distribution-logistical related developments exceeding five acres in size.
ADJACENT LAND USES:
The following table summarizes the zoning designation and existing use for the surrounding properties.
|
Table 1: Adjacent Zoning and Land Uses |
|
Direction |
Zoning |
Existing Use |
|
North |
LI |
Undeveloped |
|
South |
LI |
Industrial Uses |
|
West |
(SH 161) PD-389 |
Undeveloped |
|
East |
LI |
Undeveloped (Bear Creek) |
PROPOSED USE CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTION:
The proposal includes two rear-loaded office/warehouse-buildings along the State Highway 161 Corridor. The buildings are speculative and will be developed without specific tenants.
• Building A is 202,175 sq. ft. The site will be accessible from two commercial drives off northbound State Highway 161 Service Road and includes a south-facing truck dock with 22 overhead doors.
• Building B is 252,555 sq. ft. The site will be accessible from three commercial drives with two off of northbound State Highway 161 Service Road one from east bound Rock Island Road. Building B proposes a south-facing truck dock with 51 overhead doors.
ZONING REQUIREMENTS:
Density and Dimensional Requirements
Development is subject to the LI and Appendix X Industrial Development Standards in the UDC. The table below evaluates the density and dimensional standards of the proposed development. The proposal meets the density and dimensional requirements.
|
Table 2: Site Data Summary |
|
Standard |
Required |
Provided |
Meets |
|
Min. Lot Area (Sq. Ft.) |
15,000 |
1,863,496.8 |
Yes |
|
Min. Lot Width (Ft.) |
100 |
1,800 |
Yes |
|
Min. Lot Depth (Ft.) |
150 |
1,100 |
Yes |
|
Front Setback (Ft.) |
25 |
50 |
Yes |
|
Side Setback (Ft.) |
30 |
30 |
Yes |
|
Max. Height (Ft.) |
50 |
42.5 |
Yes |
|
Max. Floor Area Ratio |
1:1 |
0.41:1 |
Yes |
Landscape and Screening
The property is subject to landscape and screening requirements in Article 8 and Appendix X of the UDC. Zoning Analysis Tables summarizes the requirements. The site exceeds the minimum landscape area, number of trees, and number of shrubs and screening requirements.
|
Table 3: Landscape & Screening Requirements |
|
Standard |
Required |
Provided |
Meets |
|
Area (Sq. Ft.) |
113,979 |
148,554 |
Yes |
|
Trees |
228 |
228 |
Yes |
|
Shrubs |
2,278 |
2,646 |
Yes |
|
Foundation Plantings |
Along Primary Facades |
Provided Plantings |
Yes |
|
Entrance Plantings |
At Building Entrance |
Provided Plantings |
Yes |
|
Truck Screening |
Wing Wall |
Provided Wing Walls |
Yes |
Parking will be screened utilizing 36” height berm, living screen and masonry wall.
The site shall provide 1.5 acres of open space, with 1,452 linear sq. ft. of walking trails with 24 seats and 9,112 sq. ft. of garden space.
Building Materials and Design
Industrial buildings greater than 50,000 sq. ft. are subject to the requirements in Appendix X of the UDC. Appendix X requires that primary facades include at least three design elements and secondary facades include at least two design elements. The tables below evaluate the design elements for each building. The proposed building elevations meet Appendix X requirements.
Both buildings A&B consists of 100% exterior masonry construction utilizing textured concrete tilt-wall panels of varying finishes and colors in compliance with required architectural articulation requirements. The construction styles consist of two accent materials along the vertical surface. 18” Cornice projection shall extend along the entire length of the primary facades. The primary facade shall provide accent lighting minimum 50% of its length.
|
Table 4A: Building Design Elements for Building A |
|
Facade |
Type |
a. |
b. |
c. |
d. |
e. |
f. |
g. |
h. |
i. |
Total Elements |
Meets |
|
North |
Secondary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Yes |
|
South |
Primary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
4 |
Yes |
|
West |
Primary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
4 |
Yes |
|
East |
Secondary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Yes |
|
Table 4B: Building Design Elements for Building B |
|
Facade |
Type |
a. |
b. |
c. |
d. |
e. |
f. |
g. |
h. |
i. |
Total Elements |
Meets |
|
North |
Primary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
4 |
Yes |
|
South |
Secondary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Yes |
|
West |
Primary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
4 |
Yes |
|
East |
Secondary |
Y |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Yes |
VARIANCES:
No variances requested.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7-0.
The Development Review Committee (DRC) recommends approval.