Grand Prairie staff preview specific-use permit for contractor shop with outside heavy-equipment storage at 502 West Oakdale Road

City of Grand Prairie planning staff on June 23 briefed the Planning and Zoning Commission on a specific-use permit request from MEI Industrial Solutions to operate a contractor shop with outside storage of heavy equipment at 502 West Oakdale Road.

The property is zoned light industrial and lies within the SH 161 corridor overlay. Staff said the applicant proposes to use the front portion of the parcel for MEI operations while Zachary Construction would consolidate to the rear of the site. Planned site improvements include interior fencing and gating, relocation of existing office trailers, and a proposed 8-foot solid wood fence that currently screens most of the property from Oakdale Road.

Staff described the Development Review Committee recommendation in favor of the SUP with conditions that the project "delineation of unit uses generally comply with the proposed site plan" and that the applicant provide a dumpster enclosure measuring a minimum of 12 feet by 12 feet that complies with Article 8 of the Unified Development Code. Staff reported that 12 notices were mailed to nearby property owners; two responses were returned in favor and none returned opposed. No action was taken during the staff briefing.

Commissioners asked staff clarifying questions about staging and timing of heavy-equipment storage; staff indicated equipment staging and time on site would vary by individual jobs and that an applicant representative would be present at the public hearing to answer operational questions.

The item will proceed to the public hearing portion of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and, if recommended, on to City Council for final action. No formal vote or council decision was recorded during the briefing.