Planning commission approves Midtown Neighborhood Shops site plan

The City of Grand Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission on March 10 unanimously approved a site plan for Midtown Neighborhood Shops, a two-building retail and restaurant development near the intersection of Forum Drive and State Highway 161.

Staff said the proposal meets the city's density, dimensional and parking requirements and includes a raised water feature, outdoor seating, benches, bike racks and street trees along SH-161 and Forum Drive. The staff presentation noted the development sits within the larger area previously referenced as Alterra and that the developer has purchased both northern and southern portions of the commercial tract.

The DRC recommendation and staff report said the proposed buildings comply with the city’s Appendix F design standards; the applicant included long windows and other façade elements to address window-percentage rules and provided amenity items listed in the appendix. Staff noted the architect had prepared longer windows to reduce the need for a variance but that the final window calculations would be verified before city council review.

Commissioner John Fedorco moved to close the public hearing and approve the site plan per DRC recommendations; Commissioner Victor Medina seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

One resident, Pete Stickney, filed a speaker card to indicate support but did not speak. Staff concluded the presentation and responded to no substantive public objections.

The approval advances the Midtown retail portion of the mixed-use area previously marketed as Alterra toward permitting and construction. The application will proceed to city council for final action as required by the city's review process.