Council OKs zoning amendment for 28-acre warehouse development near LBJ Freeway

The Farmers Branch City Council on June 17 adopted Ordinance No. 39‑31 to amend the zoning for roughly 28 acres at 2645 LBJ Freeway to permit a light industrial/warehouse development, including a newly added fourth building on the Wyndham Garden Hotel site.

Sarah Bergman, deputy director of planning, told council the request modifies a prior approval by expanding the project to include an additional tract (Tract 4) and adding Building D on the Wyndham Garden parcel. "Screening is still required between the warehouse development and Dallas Christian College," Bergman said, describing a 10‑foot masonry wall with landscaping in the plan. The applicant also proposed removing certain hour-of-operation restrictions for the southern buildings given their proximity to the freeway and reorienting Building C so loading faces an internal truck court.

Michael Clark of Winkelman and Associates, representing the applicant, told council the developer is proceeding under contracts contingent on approval; he said such rezoning applications often precede purchase while the buyer completes due diligence. He identified a joint venture involving Robert Dye and an Alliance group as the developer team.

Council members asked staff whether the rezoning carries costs or incentives to the city; Bergman said no incentives were anticipated. Council also asked about the demolition and timing of the Wyndham Garden Hotel site, and staff said Tract 4 is part of the project's first phase and demolition would occur "as soon as possible" after plan approval.

During the public hearing there were no speakers in opposition. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval on June 9. A motion to close the public hearing and approve Ordinance No. 39‑31 received a second and the council voted to adopt the ordinance; the transcript records the motion passed but does not provide a roll-call tally.

The ordinance amends the Plan Development District No. 74 standards to allow three previously approved buildings plus the new Building D on Tract 4, modifies some parking standards to align with the comprehensive zoning ordinance for Buildings C and D, retains the masonry wall and landscaping screening adjacent to Dallas Christian College, and keeps a specified special‑use permit requirement for light fabrication in the northern buildings.

Staff indicated the project will move forward in two phases, with Buildings A, C and D in phase one and Building B in a second phase expected about 12 to 18 months later. The council did not identify any city incentives or funding to support the development as presented.