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Council amends Planned Development District 33 to allow synthetic turf at 4102 Grasmere
Summary
University Park approved an amendment to Planned Development District No. 33 to permit synthetic turf on a practice field at 4102 Grasmere and to remove a tree requirement from the detailed site plan.
The City of University Park City Council voted May 6, 2025, to amend Planned Development District No. 33 to permit a synthetic turf surface on an existing practice field at 4102 Grasmere near the high school and to remove a requirement to plant five Chinese pistachio trees on the detailed site plan.
Patrick Ball, director of community development, told the council the school district is replacing natural turf with artificial turf across several sites and that the proposed amendment would allow the existing practice uses—band practice and athletic practice—to continue on an artificial turf surface. Ball said the application asks that the five originally required Chinese pistachio trees “no longer be required.” He also reported that two 24-inch-diameter oak trees on the property’s southeast and west corners will be removed as part of the work.
Ball described the site as west of the high school, just east of Preston Road behind retail centers, and said planning and zoning recommended approval after a public hearing; planning staff received one written comment opposing the removal of the two oak trees. Ball noted the existing natural turf at the field has been heavily worn by use and that the turf would provide a “real feel” for band spacing and performing exercises meant for a football field.
Councilmember discussion included a question whether the requested uses could be accomplished while retaining the five Chinese pistachios; Ball responded that many uses could retain the trees and he “didn't know why they request the trees to go,” speculating the district sought simplicity in clearing the lot and laying the turf. The public hearing was opened and closed during the meeting with no public speakers recorded besides the notified comment received during the planning process.
A motion to approve the amending ordinance for PD 33 (item 25-091) passed on a voice vote; council recorded affirmative votes by the mayor and members present. The action modifies the detailed site and landscape plan for the practice field and removes the five-tree requirement from PD 33’s detailed site plan.
