Commission approves AC by Marriott amendment adding four rooms; requires shuttle to justify parking variance

The Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 18 approved an amendment to the detailed planned development for AC by Marriott that increases the hotel by four rooms and adds roughly 402 square feet, contingent on a shuttle service to offset a parking variance.

The decision amends PD-221R3R6 for the five-story hotel on the northwest quadrant of Highway 635 and South Belt Line Road. The commission voted unanimously to approve the amendment after staff recommended the change and outlined conditions tied to parking and design.

Senior planner Mary Parr Boswell introduced the item and staff presentation. Development Services Administrator Matt Steer told the commission the request increases the room count by four and therefore requires four additional parking spaces. Steer said staff recommended approval with conditions, adding that “staff is comfortable recommending approval of this request with this as an added PD condition.” The staff conditions carried in the motion require a shuttle service to and from DFW Airport and surrounding businesses, allow parking as proposed (one required parking space per room and one required space per 450 square feet of meeting space), and carry forward previously approved PD requirements including a five-foot landscape buffer on the southern property line and one loading zone on the west side of the building.

Commission members asked about enforcement and contingency if on‑site parking became an issue. Steer and other staff noted options including requiring additional shuttle buses or a shared‑parking agreement with adjacent properties; he told the commission the city could require proof the shuttle service is in place at permit review. Commissioner John Daubmeier moved to approve the PD amendment and Commissioner Mauer seconded the motion. The roll call was unanimous: Daubmeier, Vice Chair Sue Blankenship, Chairman Haas (virtual), Commissioner Maurer and Commissioner Bishop all voted aye.

The project site was previously approved in April 2020 as a five‑story Hilton Garden Inn and later administratively amended to AC by Marriott with the prior room and parking counts. The applicant is represented by Alex Trimple of Quidity Engineering LLC on behalf of Whitestone Hospitality Management (D.K. Patel). Trimple told the commission the developer currently plans to provide one shuttle bus but “he would definitely be willing to do 2” if the commission wanted that as a condition.

Staff noted only minor landscape changes and a small tree relocation to avoid utilities. The amendment documents show the building façade materials and colors consistent with the hotel prototype, and staff will review final engineering and building permit details before construction proceeds.

The commission’s approval allows the developer to proceed to final engineering and building permit review subject to the PD conditions approved on the record. Staff will require evidence of the shuttle service as part of subsequent permit submittals and may request additional mitigation if operational issues emerge.

Details recorded in the hearing record: the amendment adds four rooms and about 402 square feet; the site is roughly 2.66 acres at the northwest quadrant of Highway 635 and South Belt Line Road; approved parking ratio for this amendment is one space per room and one per 450 square feet of meeting space; the motion carried unanimously.