DeSoto panel recommends rezoning at 1001 West Danieldale to Mixed Use 1; public raises concern about residential buildout

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of DeSoto voted to recommend that the City Council approve a straight zoning change from Office 1 to Mixed Use 1 for the property at 1001 West Danieldale Road, owned by St. Stephen Community Church.

Jordan Williams, city planning staff, told commissioners the application is a straight zone change request; the conceptual site plan shown to illustrate intent was not part of the formal review. Williams said staff mailed 22 notices to property owners within 204 feet of the site and that staff did not receive any letters in favor or opposition.

Commissioners discussed what Mixed Use 1 allows compared with Office 1. Williams and other staff explained that Mixed Use 1 permits a broader range of uses, including residential, restaurants, retail and low-intensity office, whereas Office 1 is limited to lower-intensity office and professional uses. Staff showed a conceptual plan indicating duplexes/townhomes sited toward the rear of the property with mixed-use storefronts toward the street; Williams said the church on the property would remain.

One resident, Veil McDonald of DeSoto, spoke during public comment and asked how the proposed zoning change would differ from the conceptual renderings and expressed concern that multiple nearby proposals could concentrate townhomes and duplexes around the neighborhood. ‘‘If this gets approved, our neighborhood will be surrounded by more townhomes,’’ McDonald said.

Staff and commissioners clarified that the current action is only the zoning classification; any future development proposals would require separate reviews and approvals and could differ from the conceptual materials shown with the application. Commissioners asked staff whether the notice radius included properties in the adjacent City of Duncanville; staff estimated about 20 Duncanville homes fall within the 204-foot notice radius.

With no recorded public opposition and no members opposing on the record, the commission moved and seconded a recommendation that the City Council approve zoning case Z1536-25 (case number as stated on the city packet). The motion was forwarded to the City Council for final action.

Key facts from the hearing: the applicant listed on the staff report is St. Stephen Community Church; staff mailed 22 notices to property owners within 204 feet; staff received no written responses in favor or opposition; and staff emphasized the zoning decision does not itself approve specific site plans or building elevations.