Forney council approves zoning change for youth center, rezoning and auto‑repair permit, multiple appointments and SAFER grant application

The Forney City Council on Tuesday approved a package of land‑use ordinances, appointed volunteers to several advisory boards and authorized the fire department to apply for federal staffing grant funding.

The council adopted an amendment to the city's comprehensive zoning ordinance that adds a definition for "youth center" and allows that use only by conditional use permit in commercial, general retail and mixed‑use districts. City staff said the change responds to a resident who asked how to open a teen youth club inside city limits; the ordinance creates the zoning category and requires any operator to seek a conditional use permit with site‑specific conditions such as parking, hours and screening. City Secretary Miss Rios read the ordinance as Ordinance No. 2509.

The council also approved a rezoning and a conditional use permit connected to Carter Automotive. The council rezoned 0.0944 acres at 305 Oak Street and an adjacent alley from single‑family residential to general retail to allow the business to expand outdoor vehicle storage behind 406 East Broad Street. Planning staff said the owner must provide screening for adjacent residences; the applicant proposed a 6‑ to 8‑foot wood screening fence. The rezoning was assigned Ordinance No. 2510 and the conditional use permit for auto repair minor…