Irving City Council approves outside storage permit for Mansouri's auto sales property

The Irving Planning and Zoning Public Hearing held on April 7, 2025, focused on several key agenda items concerning property use and zoning changes within the city. The meeting began with a discussion regarding a property located on Strickland Plaza, situated within the Heritage Crossing District. The property owner, associated with an auto sales business, sought a conditional use permit (CUP) for outside storage on the site. This request aims to utilize the property for storing vehicles until it is ready for redevelopment.

City staff confirmed that the proposed use meets the criteria for the CUP, although some council members expressed concerns about expanding auto-related uses in an area where the city has invested significantly to promote commercial development. Councilman Croninwelt highlighted the need to discourage further auto sales and repair shops, while other council members noted that the request for outside storage does not represent a regression in development, as it allows for productive use of the property in the interim.

The next item on the agenda involved a request to change the zoning of a restaurant space at 8350 North MacArthur to accommodate a new establishment, Bruce Sports Bar Grill. Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, indicating that the change would fit within the existing commercial framework of the shopping center.

Following this, a proposal to convert a former Boston Market location at 2705 North Beltline into a Pollo Campero restaurant was presented. The request involved removing the existing site plan designation to allow for a straightforward commercial zoning change, which staff and the commission also recommended for approval.

The meeting continued with a request to change the zoning of a property at 1660 North Westridge from business office to manufacturing warehouse. This request was part of a broader discussion regarding future land use changes in the area. While there was one letter of opposition from a nearby resident, the majority of surrounding properties are already zoned for light industrial use. Staff indicated that the proposed change aligns with future land use plans, which have yet to be formally adopted.

Overall, the meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to balance immediate property use requests with long-term development goals in Irving. The council's discussions reflected a commitment to enhancing the commercial landscape while addressing community concerns about zoning changes. Further steps will be taken to finalize the decisions on these proposals in upcoming meetings.