From
Chris Hartmann
Title
S141001C - Site Plan Amendment - International Leadership of Texas Amendment, 2851 Ragland Road (City Council District 4). Site Plan amendment request for a 27.822-acre school campus on one lot. 27.822 acre school campus lot out of the Walter Ferrell Survey, Abstract 537, City of Grand Prairie, Tarrant County, Texas, being Block 1, Lot 1, IL Texas GP Addition, zoned Planned Development-319 (PD-319 and Agricultural (A) District, and located in the SH 360 Overlay Corridor (SH-360) District generally located east of SH 360 and north of Ragland Rd, specifically addressed at 2851 Ragland Rd. The agent is Douglas Cooper, MMA, the applicant is Brian Huffaker, GC Grand Prairie Charter LLC, and the owner is Jerry McCreight. (On March 4, 2019, 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:
S141001B - Site Plan Amendment - IL Texas GP Addition, Lot 1R, Block 1 (City Council District 4). Consider a request to approve a site plan amendment to allow for revision (2-year extension) in the timing & phasing for construction of required exterior elevations. (southern and eastern elevations). The 27.82-acre school campus property is generally located at northwest corner of Ragland Road and State Highway 360, more specifically 2851 Ragland Road. The property is currently zoned Agricultural (A) and Planned Development 319 (PD-319) District. The property is located within the State Highway 360 (SH-360) Overlay Corridor District, and lies in City Council District 4, represented by Councilman Richard Fregoe.\
PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST:
The applicant is requesting to delay construction of certain exterior features (in accordance with the original design requirements) along the southern and eastern portions to the school campus. The original Planned Development-319 (PD-319) called for certain exterior building materials and architectural features and designs, including vertical & horizontal articulations facing roadways and public views.
ADJACENT LAND USES AND ACCESS:
|
Direction |
Zoning |
Existing Use |
|
North |
Agriculture (A) District |
Religious Institution |
|
South |
Agriculture (A) District |
Undeveloped |
|
East |
Agriculture (A) District |
Religious Institution |
|
West |
PD 319 for Commercial (C) District uses |
Gas Well |
HISTORY:
On October 14, 2014, the City Council unanimously approved a Site Plan authorizing the development of the Phase I of the International Leadership Charter School, which included the construction of 75,705 sq. ft. school facility and separate dormitory on 23.797 acres.
On October 22, 2015, the Development Review Committee (DRC) administratively approved a 13,500 sq. ft. expansion of the International Leadership of Texas charter school building provided that that the architectural design mirrors the Council approved Site Plan from October 14, 2014 and that the requested access to S.H. 360 be removed from the administratively approved Site Plan amendment
November 17, 2015, City Council approved an amendment to associated Concept Plan to allow for relief to the required timing for construction of certain architectural elements on the southern and eastern elevations due to anticipated expansions/extensions (Phase II) on those portions of the buildings until school year 2019.
April 21, 2017, administrative approval for school expansion consistent with concept plan, additional parking and temporary building to accommodate the ROTC program.
PROPOSED USE CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTION:
Phase I of charter school campus consisting of approximately 90,000 sq. ft. on 27.8 acres to accommodate approximately 800 students.
Phase II plans to accommodate an additional 800 students (1600 total), dormitories, additional parking and parking approximately 32,000 sq. for classrooms and educational-related space.
Primary access to the school campus is currently via Ragland Road (County Rd 2016) with future access being from a commercial drive approach along northbound SH 360 Frontage Road. This entrance will serve the additional 450 parking spaces to be constructed along the southwestern portion of the school campus.
ZONING REQUIREMENTS:
The 27.8-acre campus site has split zoning Agricultural (A) and Planned Development-319 (PD-319) districts and is located within the State Highway 360 (SH-360) Overlay Corridor District. Charter School uses are allowed by right; however certain designed standards are required within the Corridor. During site plan review and subsequent concept plan amendments, stipulations were adopted requiring that exterior elevation conditions be delayed until school year 2019.
EXCEPTIONS OR APPEALS:
The applicant is requesting to extend deferment of the exterior façade elements and feature for two additional years. The elements include masonry columns, awnings and other architectural features along the southern and eastern facades. The purpose for the delay is that the school continues to expand on those building in the near future associated with their Phase II expansion.
RECOMMENDATION:
DRC does not object to the applicant’s request to extend the requirement to comply with the exterior construction requirement along the southern and eastern elevations due to the proximity and visibility of the facades from public view (approximately 450’ from S.H. 360 & 960’ from Ragland Rd.) and the anticipated extension and future construction of those associated buildings.
At its March 4, 2019 meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 9-0 to recommend approval of the applicant's request to defer the construction two years.