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Plan commission approves 10‑year special use permit for fuel pumps at 1401 Beltline Road
Summary
The Garland Plan Commission approved a 10‑year special use provision allowing fuel pumps and retail uses at a previously nonconforming service station at 1401 Beltline Road, requiring enhanced landscaping and ongoing coordination with staff.
The Garland Plan Commission on June 23 approved a special use provision (SUP) allowing fuel pumps and retail use at 1401 Beltline Road for a 10‑year period, directing the owner to work with staff to add enhanced landscaping before the item goes to city council.
Staff told commissioners the 0.759‑acre site is zoned for community retail and noted the station’s prior SUP expired in March 2023; the owner applied in December 2023. Staff recommended a shorter, five‑year SUP to encourage upkeep, saying past code violations — limited to graffiti and dying landscaping — have been resolved. “I am open to any and all questions,” staff said during the presentation.
Applicant Ralph Harif Huda, who said the station is a family business, told commissioners the site has been in the community for many years and that he plans landscaping improvements when nearby public works work is finished. “We’ve been there forever. Our community all loves us. We’ve been there and we’ll always be there for them,” Huda said.
Commissioners discussed the site’s history of intermittent code violations and whether a renewal would trigger current landscaping standards. Staff said the existing site is in compliance with its original site plan but that a brand‑new development would have to meet today’s landscaping buffers; the commission may also add landscaping conditions to an SUP. Commissioner Jenkins asked whether the current landscaping is up to today’s standard; staff replied the site meets its prior plan but would not meet all modern code requirements if rebuilt.
Commissioner Rose moved to close the public hearing and approve the SUP with a 10‑year time period and a requirement that the applicant work with staff to enhance landscaping; Commissioner Jenkins seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The commission also noted the applicant’s plan to address a defunct car wash on the property and that the fuel pumps and primary building will remain in operation. Staff said 76 notification letters were mailed and no public responses were received during the staff review period.
The commission’s approval moves the SUP forward to city council with the landscaping condition and the 10‑year term; commissioners said they expect staff and the applicant to coordinate design details before council review.
