Staff recommends approval of Midtown and Neighborhood Shops site plan at Forum and Highway 161

Grand Prairie planning staff on March 10 recommended approval of a site plan for two multi-tenant retail and restaurant buildings at the corner of the Forum and Highway 161, adjacent to the Colterra apartments, during a staff briefing of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Staff said the proposal includes two buildings facing the George Bush Turnpike with a shared open area, outdoor seating with fenced enclosures, benches, bike racks, artwork and a decorative water feature about 18 inches high. The applicant told staff it does not intend to request variances for the site plan, and the Development Review Committee (DRC) recommended approval.

Staff emphasized the project meets density, dimensional and parking requirements and said the landscaping plan provides street trees along Highway 161 and the Forum. Commissioners noted the area’s shared parking arrangement with nearby apartments; staff said a parking maximum in the area encourages shared parking and that apartment residents freeing spaces during daytime hours could serve the retail uses.

Commission discussion included the Appendix F window and glazing requirements. Staff explained the standard: either 50 percent glazing of elevation area or an alternative that requires 50 linear feet of window length along the façade perimeter; smaller buildings such as restaurants sometimes cannot meet the 50 percent glazing standard because of back-of-house needs and may seek reductions or design alternatives such as decorative features, murals or barn doors to meet the intent of the rule.

Staff said the applicant has provided building elevations that comply with Appendix F and that the applicant will appear at the public hearing during the regular meeting. No formal action was taken at the staff briefing; the regular meeting and public hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m.