From
Chris Hartmann
Title
TA181002 - Text Amendment - Appendix F, Corridor Overlay District. Amendment to Unified Development Code Appendix F, Corridor Overlay District Standards and related articles to update standards for commercial development within designated Corridor Overlay zones. The owner/applicant is the City of Grand Prairie. (On March 4, 2019, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this request by a vote of 9-0).
Presenter
Savannah Ware, AICP, Senior Planner
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
SUMMARY:
Amendment to Unified Development Code Appendix F, Corridor Overlay District to update standards for commercial development within designated Corridor Overlay zones.
PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Over the past several years, Grand Prairie has seen an increase in the number of projects within the Corridor Overlay Districts. Many of these projects have required variances to Appendix F: Corridor Overlay District Standards. The frequency and number of requests for variances demonstrate that Appendix F is not functioning as intended. The purpose of the text amendment is to allow more flexibility while maintaining high development standards.
NEW APPROACH:
The revised Appendix F takes a different approach to development than the existing Appendix F. The revised document focuses on results instead of regulation, prioritizes high quality places instead of a particular style of building, and allows flexibility and creativity instead of requiring adherence to rigid standards.
DOCUMENT STRUCTURE:
The revised Appendix F is organized around four elements: Usable Open Space and Pedestrian Linkages, Site Design and Building Orientation, Building Design, and Healthy, Smart, and Sustainable Community. It includes a combination of guidelines and standards, some of which are presented as a menu of options. The guidelines illustrate the character and quality of desired development and act as performance criteria. This approach gives developer...
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