Planning commission backs Family Justice Center planned development to consolidate services

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 26 recommended approval of a planned development rezoning to allow construction of a consolidated Family Justice Center campus for Denton County Friends of the Family.

The proposed PD would rezone property along North Bonnie Brae from R7 to PD:R7 to permit a mixed‑use community facility combining residential transitional housing and nonresidential services (childcare, counseling/partner service spaces, administrative offices, event space and a pet kennel for resident families). Staff recommended approval and the commission voted 4-0 to forward the PD to City Council with a positive recommendation.

What the PD proposes Julie Wyatt, principal planner, outlined the PD’s purpose: a secure, campus‑style layout that groups resident‑only spaces behind a security fence while placing service and partner spaces with public access toward Bonnie Brae. The campus plan includes a central secured courtyard, internal pedestrian connections to a park and a planned trail, and three vehicle access points — two full access from the south (via a park road/right‑of‑way) and an emergency‑access connection to the north that aligns with the bus loop for the elementary school under construction.

Applicant and community notes Amy Bissett of 97 Land Company said the land was donated to the nonprofit and that Denton County awarded an $8,000,000 construction grant within the prior 30 days. Toni Johnson Simpson, executive director of Denton County Friends of the Family, described the design intent: a campus to allow clients to access multiple services without repeating their accounts to multiple agencies and to provide transitional housing capacity. Simpson said the campus design includes security measures for resident safety.

Staff findings and public outreach Staff concluded the PD conforms to the comprehensive plan’s goals for community services and to the property’s Moderate Residential future‑land‑use designation; staff recommended approval. The record shows one written letter in support (from the neighboring property owner to the north). The applicant said they attempted four neighborhood meetings over the project’s review and coordinated with Denton ISD on the north emergency access and with the parks department for the trail connection.

Vote and next steps The commission voted 4-0 to approve the PD and to forward it to City Council; staff indicated an anticipated Council date of March 25. Council action is required for final approval and any substantial future change to the site plan or mix of uses would require an amendment returning to both Planning and Zoning and council.