Lewisville council approves multiple zoning changes and permits, approves I‑35 corridor alternative standard 5–1

The Lewisville City Council on Jan. 7 approved a package of land‑use and zoning actions, including an amendment to the Unified Development Code, a pair of special‑use permit actions for a site on West Round Grove Road, a rezoning at 1201 South Railroad Street and a permit for an accessory patio cover. Council also approved an alternative‑standard request for a redevelopment on Oak Bend Drive after extended discussion and a 5–1 vote.

Ordinance amending zoning resubmission rule: The council approved an ordinance to amend Article 3, Chapter 6 of the Unified Development Code to remove a one‑year prohibition on resubmission of zoning petitions after a council denial. Planning and Zoning had recommended unanimous approval; the council voted to approve the ordinance (motion passed unanimously).

Special use permit repeal and replacement at 111 West Round Grove Road: Council held consecutive public hearings and first voted to repeal Ordinance No. 0129‑19‑SUP, terminating the prior special use permit that allowed minor automobile service and a car wash on Lot 3, Block A, Corners at Valley Parkway (approximately 1.22 acres at 111 West Round Grove Road). After closing that hearing, council approved a new special use permit to remodel the former quick-service auto facility into a new quick quack car wash; staff noted the new car wash would use less water and provide higher water reclamation than the previous operation. The planning commission had recommended unanimous approval; council approved both measures unanimously.

Zone change at 1201 South Railroad Street: Council approved a rezoning of portions of a roughly 8.504‑acre parcel at 1201 South Railroad Street to swap light‑industrial (LI) and heavy‑industrial (HI) zoning on different parts of the property. Planning staff said the change aligns the office/existing building area with LI and the rear yard with HI; the planning commission recommended approval and council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

Accessory structure special use permit at 434 Hamilton Street: Council approved a special use permit allowing a detached patio cover on a townhouse lot (Lot 44, Block A, Rockbrook Place) where the accessory structure would sit less than 5 feet from the side lot line. Planning staff said patio covers are common in the neighborhood; the planning commission recommended approval and council voted unanimously.

Alternative standard for 420 Oak Bend Drive — council debate and vote: The council considered an alternative‑standards request for redevelopment of a former movie theater site at 420 Oak Bend Drive (Vista Ridge Village) into two distribution/warehouse buildings: a roughly 68,000‑square‑foot building and a roughly 37,000‑square‑foot building. The applicant requested multiple deviations from the I‑35E corridor overlay standards, including a request that would reduce required masonry/brace articulation in favor of higher‑quality glazing and canopies. Planning recommended the alternative standard and the planning commission had recommended unanimous approval.

Several council members voiced concerns about proximity to residences and truck traffic on Oak Bend and adjacent streets. Council Member Kelly said the overlay exists to "make sure we have aesthetics on the I‑35 corridor" and noted that the back facades of any new building would be visible from nearby townhomes, apartments and a memory-care facility. Staff and the developer said the loading docks and truck court would face the creek/floodplain side and that an eight‑foot concrete screen wall and existing landscape buffers would shield the dock area from the memory‑care facility. The developer presented building elevations and described glass, canopies and higher‑quality materials along Oak Bend to create a storefront‑like appearance; the developer noted the proposed buildings are lower in height (about 37 feet at the top) than the existing theater canopy (about 62 feet at the top).

Council members split on the standard. Some members argued denying the alternative could yield a less attractive building under base entitlements; others said approving it could set a precedent that makes future warehouse development more likely. Council approved the alternative standard 5–1.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded at the meeting): - Amendment to UDC resubmission rule: approved (motion passed unanimously) - Repeal of Ordinance 0129‑19‑SUP (111 W. Round Grove Rd): approved (unanimous) - New SUP for car wash (111 W. Round Grove Rd, Case 24‑02‑2‑SUP): approved (unanimous) - Rezoning at 1201 S. Railroad St. (Case 240910‑Z): approved (unanimous) - SUP for accessory building at 434 Hamilton St. (Case 24‑11‑19‑SUP): approved (unanimous) - Alternative standards for 420 Oak Bend Drive (Case 24‑11‑16‑ALTSTD): approved 5–1

Council took no additional action on traffic restrictions at the meeting; several members asked staff to work with the developer and to explore options (truck‑route restrictions, enforcement of nuisance/noise rules) if heavy truck activity emerges after tenants are identified.