Grand Prairie ZBA unanimously approves variances for 2715 Webland Road property

The Grand Prairie Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals voted 9-0 on Feb. 17, 2025, to grant multiple variances for a property listed on the agenda as 2715 Webland Road, allowing two existing accessory structures to remain one foot from the side property line instead of the required eight feet, permitting a side wall height of 14 feet where 12 feet is the code maximum for accessory structures, and increasing the allowed number of accessory structures on the lot from three to four.

Salvador, a planning staff presenter, told the board that the case (ZBA2501-004) involves two existing structures built without permits: a boat-storage accessory structure abutting the driveway and a separate rear storage building. Salvador said the wall-height variance applies to the side wall (not the roof peak) and that code enforcement issued a stop-work order after spotting the boat structure under construction. Staff reported that 18 notice letters were mailed to property owners within the 300-foot notification radius, there is no homeowners association, and staff did not object to the requested variances as presented.

Applicant Joyce Suby, who identified her address as 2715 Wimbledon Road during public comment, told the board the smaller outbuilding is a well house and said the boat structure was built to store and work on a family boat. She said parts of the property predated her ownership and that the boat structure was constructed about five years ago. “That small one that’s off to the side … that’s our well house,” Suby said. She also described cleaning up the lot after buying it and said the family has no plans for additional construction.

Board members asked questions about placement, timing and use. Commissioner Melinda Rogers asked whether anyone was living in the rear structure; Salvador said staff would check permit documentation and reiterated that accessory dwelling units are not allowed in Grand Prairie. Commissioner David Baker asked for clarification on which structures required variances; Salvador pointed out the boat structure and the rear storage building as the ones at issue and confirmed two additional accessory structures exist on the lot, producing a total of four. The board discussed that the structures had existed for some time and that the typical process is to seek variances before permits; staff noted the applicant has since come to the city to regularize the work.

During deliberations Commissioner Baker moved to close the hearing and approve ZBA2501-004; a motion was seconded by the board member identified in the record as Miss Coker. The board approved the motion 9-0. The chair and staff indicated the approval was subject to the standard staff conditions that typically accompany granted variances and the applicant may proceed with the city’s permitting process if the variance is in effect.

What the board approved: a reduction of the required minimum side setback for two accessory structures from 8 feet to 1 foot; a wall-height variance for an accessory boat-storage structure from 12 feet to 14 feet (applies to the side wall, not roof peak); and an increase in the permitted number of accessory structures on the lot from three to four. The action was recorded as passed by a unanimous vote of the nine-member board; ZBA decisions in Grand Prairie require the concurring vote of seven members to decide in favor of an applicant, per the board’s rules.

Next steps: With the variances approved, the applicant may submit the required permit applications and must comply with the conditions the board and staff attached to the approval. If staff-added conditions include a time limit or code compliance requirements, the applicant will need to meet those as part of the permitting and inspection process.

Notes: The property was described on the agenda and in staff presentation as 2715 Webland Road; during public comment the applicant gave a different street name (2715 Wimbledon Road). Staff’s presentation and the agenda listing were the basis for the board action.