Commission approves Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD ag barn, arena and lot plat on Sandy Lake Road
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Summary
The commission approved a planned-development zoning change and companion minor plat to allow Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD to build a 14,000 sq. ft. ag barn, a 13,350 sq. ft. covered arena and education facilities on roughly 42 acres north of Sandy Lake Road; approvals include floodplain-related conditions.
The Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 16 approved a planned development (PD-322-a) and a companion minor plat to allow Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District to construct a new 14,000-square-foot educational ag barn, a 13,350-square-foot covered arena and outdoor learning stations on approximately 42 acres north of Sandy Lake Road near the Elm Fork.
Staff and the applicant told the commission the site has been used by the district since the 1970s as an agricultural science and outdoor learning center serving about 6,000 students annually. The site is largely in the floodplain; staff said the project will regrade a portion of the property and bring imported fill to raise the barn pad roughly out of the 100-year floodplain. "After the regrading, the pink shows what's gonna be out of the flood plain. So the building will be out of the flood plain," staff said during the presentation.
Why it matters: the development expands formal classroom and animal-care facilities and includes infrastructure and regulatory steps tied to floodplain work. The commission’s approvals were conditioned on several requirements intended to manage floodplain and utility impacts before construction starts, including a conditional letter of map revision (LOMR), a Corridor Development Certificate (CDC) permit for work in the floodplain, and a maintenance agreement for the sanitary sewer force main located in the city right-of-way.
Project details presented to the commission included a 14,000-square-foot barn sited about 90 feet north of Sandy Lake Road, an attached paved parking lot with 66 spaces (with a PD condition allowing a portion of the parking lot below the base flood elevation), an open-air covered arena of about 13,350 square feet with two small interior storage rooms, fenced outdoor pastures for animals, an aviary, upgraded learning stations, a dock for pond access, and a concrete trail system.
Materials and site design: the barn’s façades will be a mix of split-face CMU and metal panel systems, with a standing-seam metal roof and a sign on the south elevation within allowable size limits. Staff said roughly 93% of the 42-acre site will remain in a natural state; added landscaping and irrigated trees are planned along the western perimeter and at the new parking area. Staff also noted that existing trees at the rear of the site are proposed to remain.
Commissioners asked about animal waste and runoff; staff replied that animal waste will be collected in a bin and hauled off. "Their animal waste is actually gonna be gathered. They'll have like a bin where it goes to and it'll be hauled off," staff said.
Ben Sanchez of Park Hill, the project representative, told commissioners the applicant agreed to staff’s recommended conditions. "Yes. We are in agreement," Sanchez said when asked about the conditions.
The commission voted to approve the PD-322-a request subject to staff conditions and then separately approved the minor plat that creates the legal lot and updates easements and fire-lane access for the project. Motion to approve the PD was made by Commissioner Hafeeman and seconded by Commissioner Bishop; the roll call reflected unanimous approval among members present. The minor plat vote was moved by Commissioner Hafeeman and seconded by Commissioner Dobleier; that motion also carried by unanimous recorded vote.
Next steps: staff noted additional engineering comments may be generated during detailed permit review, and that the LOMR and CDC permits are required before construction starts and issuance of certificate of occupancy. Project representatives estimated construction could begin in spring 2026, with the LOMR process running concurrently with design work.
Votes at a glance: PD-322-a (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Ag Barn) — Approved; motion by Commissioner Hafeeman; second by Commissioner Bishop; unanimous vote as recorded. Minor plat (Ag Barn Addition Lot 1, Block A) — Approved; motion by Commissioner Hafeeman; second by Commissioner Dobleier; unanimous vote as recorded.
