Plan commission approves 25‑year SUP for food processing at 2740 Oakland Street with landscaping requirement

The Garland Plan Commission on June 23 approved a 25‑year special use provision for a food processing and storage operation at 2740 Oakland Street, requiring the owner to add planters or other onsite landscaping and to pursue an alternative compliance review for parking.

Staff said the property is in an industrial zoning district and has operated as a food processing and storage use for about 29 years. Because a change in ownership exceeded the legal nonconforming period, the new owner must obtain an SUP to continue the use; staff recommended approval with a landscaping condition. Staff noted the site currently provides about seven parking spaces but that the use would require 21 under code; the applicant will need to submit an alternative compliance request and a traffic/parking study.

Hugh Pender, the applicant’s representative with MasterPlan, told commissioners the new operator (American Produce and Repack) has eight employees at the location and expects the site to serve as overflow for the operator’s existing Garland location. Pender said the building is largely surrounded by concrete, leaving little ground area for landscaping; he told the commission the owner will comply with the landscaping requirement and that the roof is being replaced.

Commissioners discussed the benefit of adding planters in industrial areas and how incremental improvements can improve corridor appearance over a multi‑decade timeframe. A motion was made to close the public hearing and approve the SUP for a 25‑year period with the condition that planters be added along the building; that motion passed unanimously.

Staff reported one letter in support of the request and said the site is surrounded by industrial uses; the item will move forward to city council with the landscaping condition and staff’s alternative compliance review requirement for parking.