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Planning commission adopts Elam Road City Center master plan to guide downtown redevelopment
Summary
The Balch Springs Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously April 17 to recommend adoption of the Elam Road Corridor City Center Master Plan, a policy document intended to guide future zoning, public infrastructure and private redevelopment along Elam Road.
The Balch Springs Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended adoption of the Elam Road Corridor City Center Master Plan on April 17, a policy document prepared by Catalyst Commercial with technical support from TBG that outlines a vision and implementation steps for a town-center-style corridor along Elam Road.
Jason Kluntz, the consultant presenter, described the plan as a multi-phase policy document tied to the city's comprehensive plan and based on public workshops, stakeholder meetings and a market study. The plan identifies four subareas — a gateway at I-635/Shepherd, a main-street civic core around the library and public facilities, a vacant tract considered for a walkable urban town-center, and residential-infill edges — and recommends a mix of retail, civic uses, housing and improved trail and green-space connections.
Kluntz and staff explained that the master plan is advisory: it sets design and development guidance and will be followed by implementation steps such as overlay zoning and engineering studies. Staff said they are seeking council adoption on April 28 and that zoning changes would follow the policy adoption.
Commission discussion covered walkability, potential adaptive reuse of civic buildings, parking and opportunities to redevelop existing parcels to higher design standards. The plan includes mobility recommendations; a roundabout at the Pioneer/Elam intersection was discussed as one option during the planning process but staff noted final intersection treatments would be determined by engineering and design studies.
Staff told commissioners the city secured a grant of $1,600,000 to fund an engineering design study for Elam Road and plans a local match; staff said the study will evaluate corridor improvements from Peachtree Road to Pioneer Road and will support implementation of the master plan.
Commissioner Carol moved to recommend adoption; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff and the consultant said they will continue meetings with property owners, pursue zoning overlays and begin implementation steps including engineering design and grant-funded studies to support infrastructure improvements and redevelopment.
The commission's action advises the City Council, which is scheduled to consider final adoption at its April 28 meeting.
