From
Chris Hartmann
Title
TA180201 - Text Amendment - Amendment to the Unified Development Code of the City of Grand Prairie, to update residential development standards pertaining to single-family and multi-family residential development within the City of Grand Prairie, to establish a new Article unifying and consolidating residential development standards, and to make miscellaneous amendments to existing Articles to amend regulations pertaining to residential development standards within the Unified Development Code. (On March 5, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this request by a vote of 7-0).
Presenter
David P. Jones, Chief City Planner
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
OVERVIEW OF AMENDMENT
The City of Grand Prairie last overhauled its residential standards in the early 2000s. As residential development in Grand Prairie has evolved, it has become apparent that the City's current residential development regulations are misaligned with development trends and preferences in our market. Most residential developments approved within the last several years, including almost all multi-family apartment projects, have sought one or more variances from the Unified Development Code. These variances often include exceptions to requirements for unit composition, garages, material standards, roof pitch, yard setbacks, and screening. In most cases, the requested variances are granted as requested or granted with modifications, allowing the project to be built.
A clear trend has emerged with the city's most recent single-family and multi-family residential developments, which has resulted in residential developments which look and in some cases function differently than what is required by current standards. These developments are also highly amenitized and reflect a more urban design with the use of flat roofs, non-traditional materials, and shorter setbacks from the street. This amendment is an effort to update requirement...
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