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Council approves multifamily project near I‑30/Beltline with variances and adjusted tree requirement
Summary
Council approved a specific-use permit and related thoroughfare plan amendment for a 301-unit multifamily project near I‑30, with several variances and an agreement to a lower tree-count mitigation number negotiated during the meeting.
The City Council approved a thoroughfare-plan amendment and a specific-use permit for a 301-unit multifamily development (seven buildings) located north of I‑30, with a private access drive and a mix of four‑story corridor buildings and two‑story walk‑ups.
Staff said the project sits within a PD (PD‑217) and requires an SUP for apartments. The applicant requested variances including a higher percentage of one‑bedroom units than some rules typically assume, a setback variance near the Interstate frontage, and a fence-material exception (wrought iron in a gully rather than a full masonry wall). Staff noted the applicant’s landscaping submittal proposed 77 trees while the UDC standard would require 203 trees without a tree survey/mitigation plan.
Council discussion focused on design and tree counts. Councilmember Shotwell, who worked with the applicant, said the developer would accept providing more trees and other design elements to soften the project along Tarrant Road and to work with police on safety-related design features; he proposed a compromise minimum of 150 trees rather than the code-required 203. The developer later withdrew the request for a tree-count variance and agreed to provide the required trees, according to the applicant’s representative during discussion; however the council motion that passed referenced the negotiated 150 figure as a minimum compromise during the meeting.
Council also heard that the developer agreed to property-management rules limiting occupancy in one‑bedroom units to two adults plus a child under one, to limit overcrowding. The council approved the SUP and related thoroughfare amendment, and directed staff to continue civil and design review under the PD standards and to work with the applicant on landscape, fencing and public‑safety measures.
The approval included granting the requested design variances as part of the SUP/PD process and set follow-up actions for staff to verify tree planting, landscape establishment and compliance with the agreed management and fencing conditions.
