Commission approves Frost Bank specific-use permit with drive-through

The Grand Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission on March 10 approved a specific-use permit and site plan for a Frost Bank branch with drive-through lanes near West Camp Wisdom and Lake Ridge Parkway.

Staff told commissioners the applicant met density and dimensional requirements and proposed drive-through lanes typical for standalone bank branches. Because of existing utility and gas easements the site cannot accommodate the nine street trees required by Appendix F; staff said the applicant proposed five street trees and additional landscaping elsewhere on the site. The applicant also requested to exceed the parking maximum (the staff presentation cited a typical maximum of 14 spaces while the proposal showed 30 spaces) and offered compensatory measures: half of the excess spaces must be permeable or compact to qualify for the variance request.

During the presentation staff said the elevations include substantial windows at the main façade and that the project met Appendix F checklist items. Applicant representatives were present; Bobby Gooch of Frost Bank (405 Park Oak, Hollywood Park, Texas) thanked the commission for accommodating the bank’s second Grand Prairie location.

Chair Cheryl Smith moved to close the public hearing and approve the specific-use permit per DRC recommendations; Commissioner Michelle Madden seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The approval includes the variances discussed and required the applicant to provide compensatory parking measures and additional landscape plantings where feasible. Staff noted final tree planting and parking-material details will be addressed in the permitting process.