Grand Prairie Zoning Board approves three variances, including front-yard carport and garage conversion

The Grand Prairie Zoning Board of Adjustment approved three zoning requests during its Oct. 25, 2025 meeting, granting special exceptions and variances for properties at 938 Southwest Fourth Street, 2302 Meadow Lake Drive and 3634 Haystack Drive.

Board members closed the public hearing and voted to approve each case after brief presentations from staff and two applicants. The decisions address requests for a front-yard carport setback variance, a garage-to-living-space conversion, and variances increasing the number and total square footage of accessory structures on a property.

The actions affect single-family properties within planned development districts in Grand Prairie and involve setbacks, accessory-structure limits and off-street parking requirements.

Case summaries and board actions

ZBA25080059 — 938 Southwest Fourth Street (front-yard carport setback variance) Staff and the applicant discussed that the proposed structure is not yet constructed and that the requested relief arises from the carport’s measured 5-foot distance from the curb rather than from the property line. Jacqueline Salazar, the applicant, provided her address for the record. Board member Mr. Hedden moved to close the public hearing and approve ZBA25080059; Mr. Ramirez seconded the motion. The board recorded eight votes in favor and one objection. The motion carried.

ZBA25080060 — 2302 Meadow Lake Drive (garage conversion) City staff described the proposal as a garage conversion of about 285 square feet within Planned Development District 111. Staff said the property will continue to provide the required two off-street parking spaces, the garage door will remain in place and a building permit application has been submitted. The staff presentation noted 43 mailed notices and that no written positions were returned in favor or opposed; there is no homeowners association. A board member moved to close the public hearing and approve ZBA25080060; a second was recorded. The motion passed; the meeting transcript does not specify a vote tally.

ZBA25080061 — 3634 Haystack Drive (front-yard carport and accessory-structure variances) Staff explained that the applicant requested a front-yard carport (about 440 square feet) to be placed over an existing paved driveway, a variance to allow five accessory structures where the code permits three, and an increase in the allowed total square footage of accessory structures from roughly 1,000 square feet to approximately 1,730 square feet. Staff noted the neighborhood includes other existing carports and that eight unique addresses submitted positions (two outside the notice area); none of the supporting positions included written comments. Applicant Michael Morales, who said his address is 3634 Haystack Drive, told the board he owns four vehicles and cited hail damage to two vehicles as a reason for seeking covered parking, and said neighbors support the request. A board member moved to close the public hearing and approve ZBA25080061; the motion passed by a vote of 8-1.

What the approvals do and next steps

The board’s approvals grant the applicants the specific variances and special exceptions requested; staff noted one of the approvals rests on the measurement being taken from the curb rather than a property line. Where building permits are required, staff said an application has been submitted for the garage conversion. The approvals allow the applicants to proceed with their proposed work subject to any required permits and inspections.

Citizen comment and adjournment

The meeting concluded with a brief citizen-comments item that produced no speakers; the board adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

Quotes

“I have 4 vehicles and I’ve had 2 vehicles that have gotten hail,” applicant Michael Morales said, explaining why he sought the carport at 3634 Haystack Drive.

(Transcript paraphrase and staff presentations are based on staff remarks in the public record.)