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Commission approves Midtown Rise retail site plan with minor variances; staff flagged dumpster clearance
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a site plan (SDP255040012) for two speculative multi‑tenant retail buildings at Midtown. Staff recommended approval with two variances (one‑foot height exceedance and window percentage variance) and a minor public health condition on dumpster clearance to be resolved prior to council review.
The Grand Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission on April 28 voted unanimously to approve a site plan (SDP255040012) for two speculative multi‑tenant retail buildings at Midtown (Rise of Retail at Midtown), including staff‑recommended variances, and directed staff to forward the record to City Council.
Staff presented the project as two buildings separated by shared open space with seating, a pergola and a water feature. The developer will provide significant glazing on front elevations and murals on non‑windowed side elevations as a compensatory design element. Staff noted two variance requests: a one‑foot exceedance of the 25‑foot maximum building height and a waiver from the requirement that windows cover 50% of the length on a building face. Staff recommended approval, reporting no objection to either variance and citing similar previous approvals in the area.
Staff also noted one condition from Public Health and Environmental Quality: the dumpster area must have a 40‑foot clear space or the applicant must modify dumpster location/parking so emergency access is preserved before City Council consideration. The applicant advised the commission that the drive access and parking were configured to provide ingress and egress on both sides of the building.
Tanner Lloyd of Birch Construction, speaking for the applicant, said he was "a little bit concerned about traffic" given the site's proximity to an entertainment district and Andretti’s and asked staff and the applicant to consider access and event traffic. Commissioners asked about an elevation detail that resembled a drive‑through; staff said the drive‑through had been removed and the drawing would be corrected.
Commissioner Michelle Madden moved to close public comment and approve the site plan "with the DRC recommendations;" Commissioner Frank Gonzales seconded. The motion passed unanimously (9–0).
The approval includes the two variances noted by staff and the condition on dumpster clearance; staff told the commission the dumpster issue can be resolved by relocating the dumpster or restriping parking to maintain the required clear space prior to council. The item will go to City Council for final action.
VOTES AT A GLANCE: Motion to approve SDP255040012 (Rise of Retail at Midtown), moved by Commissioner Michelle Madden, seconded by Commissioner Frank Gonzales; outcome: approved unanimously (9–0).
