Staff recommends approval for Frost Bank site plan on West Kemp Wisdom despite parking and tree variances

Grand Prairie planning staff recommended approval on March 10 of a special use permit site plan for a Frost Bank at West Kemp Wisdom, saying the project meets the city’s density and dimensional rules but requests variances related to parking and tree placement because of utility easements.

Staff said the bank site is adjacent to existing commercial uses including a CVS and medical facilities and will parcel a small portion of land next to an emergency room for a building with concealed drive-through lanes and circulation behind the building. The applicant seeks to exceed the area’s parking maximum and is offering compact parking spaces as a compensatory measure consistent with Appendix F recommendations.

Staff explained there is a 30-foot gas easement and a 20-foot utility easement through portions of the site that limit tree planting in the front yard; the applicant reported it could only fit five trees in the front yard and therefore is requesting a variance for tree requirements in addition to the parking variance. Staff observed the building elevations provide a substantial amount of windows and clerestory elements. DRC recommended approval and staff said it does not object to the variance requests, though council may want clarification on tree relocation allowances where easements conflict with planting.

Commissioners asked whether other banks were located farther into the center of the commercial area and whether an additional variance should be added for tree locations. Staff responded that the city ordinance allows relocating trees when they conflict with utility easements but that staff would double-check whether an explicit variance language should be added for city council consideration. The applicant will appear at the public hearing; no formal votes were taken at the staff briefing.