Covenant School wins approval for guardhouse and 70-space lot, bleacher limits set

The City Plan Commission approved an amended development plan and conditions for Zone 3 of Plan Development District (PD) 143, allowing Covenant School to build a guardhouse at its Valley View Lane entrance, a new 70-space surface parking lot and limited changes to athletic field seating.

The amendment: Covenant asked to update PD 143 to permit a guardhouse and the new surface lot near the intersection of I-635 (LBJ Freeway) and Valley View Lane. The school also adjusted its bleacher conditions: bleachers on the south side of the athletic field will be limited to 5 feet in height and a maximum of 350 seats; total bleacher capacity across the field is capped at 1,500 seats. The applicant provided revised development and landscape plans that preserve an existing large tree near Valley View Lane (tree #31) and modify spacing to allow larger plantings.

Why the commission approved it: School leaders said the guardhouse will "give us the ability to identify and welcome every person who attempts to enter our campus," improving campus safety and allowing the school to accommodate more on-site student parking instead of students parking on nearby public streets. Staff recommended approval subject to the amended development and landscape plans, amended conditions and an amended traffic management plan.

Conditions and clarifications adopted - Guardhouse allowed within the 25-foot front-yard setback (the guardhouse is permitted within that setback only). - A new surface parking area of approximately 70 spaces is approved at the south end of the campus nearest LBJ and Valley View Lane; pedestrian pathways will be provided throughout the improved surface parking area. - Preservation: Staff noted the revised landscape plan preserves tree #31 next to Valley View Lane and increases spacing for new trees near the proposed lot to allow larger plantings. - Athletic field seating: north-side bleachers capped at 12 feet; south-side bleachers at 5 feet and no more than 350 seats; total bleacher capacity capped at 1,500. - The developer and school agreed to traffic and curb improvements at the intersection near Thistle Lane/Valley View Lane; staff and transportation clarified the city will require the improvements to meet city standards as part of permits, and the school will bear construction responsibility for curb, drainage and safety fixtures called for in the PD conditions.

Who spoke and what they said Assistant Head of School Brent Wright described the safety rationale for the guardhouse and the need for on-campus parking for student drivers. "The new guard house ... will give us the ability to identify and welcome every person who attempts to enter our campus," Wright said. School counsel Victoria Morris reviewed the revised exhibits and noted changes requested after community meetings.

Commission discussion and outcome Commissioners praised the outreach and voted to approve staff’s recommendation with one amendment requested by a commissioner: remove the words "per city standards" from the PD language that described the conceptual barrier at the Valley View Lane/Thistle Lane intersection, so that specific construction details will be finalized through the City's permitting process.

Next steps The school's PD amendment was approved by the City Plan Commission and will be reflected in the recorded PD exhibits and conditions. The school must obtain permits and implement the agreed traffic and drainage improvements as part of permit approvals; those permits will establish construction and maintenance responsibilities.