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Planning commission approves 1241 Keller Parkway site plan, narrows artificial-turf variance
Summary
The Keller Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site plan and three variances for a two‑building development at 1241 Keller Parkway on March 25, but restricted artificial turf landscaping to the north side only and approved the project 6-1 after an amendment.
The Keller Planning and Zoning Commission on March 25 approved a site plan and three variances for a two‑building, multi‑tenant development at 1241 Keller Parkway, but limited an artificial‑turf landscaping variance to the north side of the buildings.
The project proposes two commercial buildings with restaurants, a bank and a dental office. Staff said the Unified Development Code (UDC) requires review of site plans in the town center and that three variances were requested: placement of a dumpster enclosure facing Keller Parkway (about 300 feet from the property line), using artificial turf instead of required 5‑foot foundation plantings at four small “cutout” areas near patios, and a request to reduce parking from a UDC‑calculated 175 spaces to 151 spaces (the applicant also proposes seven accessible spaces).
Planner Sarah Hensley told the commission the 175‑space requirement was calculated using the UDC rule that parcels under 40,000 square feet must be parked to the most intensive proposed use — here, a drive‑through restaurant that carries a 1 space per 100 square feet ratio. Hensley also noted staff provided an alternative calculation showing the site would require about 114 spaces if each lease space were parked to its proposed use rather than the most intensive possible use.
Developer Kevin McIntosh, representing the applicant, said the dumpster location was chosen to accommodate waste‑collection vehicle movements and to avoid taking multiple parking spaces. He told commissioners the turf proposal was intended to reduce maintenance problems developers have seen with foundation plantings, including irrigation failures and trash accumulation, and that the turf areas could be used for benches and informal seating.
Commissioners debated the turf request at length. Vice Chair John Baker offered an amendment to require live foundation landscaping on the building side facing 1709 (the roadway where the landscape would be visible from the street) but allow artificial turf in the rear (north) cutouts. The amendment passed 6‑1. After that amendment, the main motion to approve the site plan with the remaining variances also passed 6‑1.
The commission review was advisory; the application will go to the Keller City Council on April 15 with the commission’s recommendation. Staff said full civil plans and detailed drainage will be required before permitting.
Votes and formal action on the item are in the record.
