Council reviews mixed-use proposal at 161/114 and two zoning items; planners recommended approval, some council members raised traffic and density concerns

Irving — Planning staff briefed the City Council May 4 on several zoning cases, including two companion applications by Piedmont for a mixed-use development at the intersection of State Highway 161 and West 114th, and smaller cases involving an alcohol-permit change for an existing restaurant and two event-center applications that were deferred.

Jocelyn Murphy, the city’s Director of Planning (first reference: Jocelyn Murphy, Director of Planning), described the Piedmont proposals as companion cases: a future-land-use change from business office to Community Village (a low-intensity mixed-use category) and an SP-2 (specific plan) rezoning to set site-development standards for a mixed-use project. The applicant proposes about 390 multifamily units with roughly 10–11% ground-floor commercial, including a large restaurant the applicant indicated would be a Kirby Ice House location; the plan shows a fitness space that would be available to the public as one of the qualifying commercial uses.

Murphy said staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval; P&Z voted 4–3 in favor with no written support or opposition reported to staff. The proposal would set specific setbacks, heights and parking standards through the SP-2 site-plan process because the city’s mixed-use base district is not yet in place.

Several council members said the project does not fit the site. “This to me has business-office written all over it,” said Councilmember Brad (first reference: Councilmember Brad [surname not specified]). He and others raised concerns about traffic and ingress/egress near 161 and Royal, potential flooding and the effect of another large multifamily complex on nearby apartment markets. Councilmember Al (first reference: Councilmember Al [surname not specified]) and Councilmember Mark (first reference: Councilmember Mark [surname not specified]) asked technical questions about access; planning staff said primary access would be on Royal, not 161, and that the applicant intended to build the components in parallel but could build them in phases.

Murphy noted the mixed-use designation requires at least 10% commercial space; she said the applicant’s illustrative plan shows approximately 11% commercial and includes walking trails and a central activity corridor.

Separately, planning staff presented a minor PUD/REB rezoning at 9400 North MacArthur (suites 146 and 150) for an India X restaurant seeking to add on-premises alcohol sales; staff and P&Z recommended approval and no opposition or support was recorded. Two event-center cases for 2912 North MacArthur requested indefinite postponement and were therefore not considered at length; staff and P&Z had recommended denial for those event-center proposals.

No formal council decisions or votes on these items were taken at the May 4 work session; the cases will proceed on the regular agenda or be scheduled for future council action as required.