Commission backs pool‑house SUP for 3349 Howard Road

The Waxahachie Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a specific use permit for an accessory structure at 3349 Howard Road (ZDC39-2025) at its April 29 meeting, according to the staff presentation and the commission’s recorded motion.

Zach, a city planning staff member, told commissioners the site is about 1.5 acres in a future development zoning district and the proposed accessory structure is approximately 1,016 square feet. The structure is described as a pool house intended for family use; Zach said it will include a half bath and a kitchen, will tie into the main house’s plumbing and electrical (not separately metered), and will not be designed as a dwelling. The applicant provided a written operational plan acknowledging the pool house will not be used as a business, short-term rental or dwelling.

Staff said accessory structures of this size are common on similar large lots nearby and that the department received two letters of support and two letters of opposition before the meeting; staff noted both opposition letters came from the same household behind the property. After the public hearing was closed, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of ZDC39-2025 subject to the conditions in the staff report and authorization for the mayor or city manager to execute necessary documents. A second was received; commissioners voted by show of hands and the motion carried.

Zach told the commission the proposal does not include improvements that would trigger the structure to be considered a dwelling. The approval recommended by the commission is subject to the standard conditions listed in the staff report; those conditions and required permit reviews will apply before any construction can proceed.