Forney planning commission approves plats and site plans for hardware store, car wash, multifamily cottages, retail and other projects

The Forney Planning and Zoning Commission approved multiple plats and site plans covering neighborhood retail, auto service, multifamily cottages, residential subdivisions and an entertainment venue in a single, mostly uncontested session.

Ace Hardware (Ace Forney): The commission approved a preliminary plat and the site plan for Ace Forney, a 3.0821-acre property east of Lakewood Veil and north of South FM 741 across from Clavon Elementary. The main retail building shown on the site plan is 15,000 square feet, the maximum allowed in the Neighborhood Service district. The plans include a temporary outdoor retail sales area, parking to the south and east, and landscaping that staff found compliant with zoning requirements. Staff recommended approval; the commission approved both motions by voice vote.

Tiger Spa Car Wash: Commissioners approved a site plan for Tiger Spa Car Wash west of South FM 548 adjacent to Forney Community Park. The current plan relocates vacuum bays from the street edge to the interior of the site to permit a landscape buffer along FM 548. The site plan shows a 5,634-square-foot car wash tunnel, stacking primarily at the rear of the property, full-service and 15 self-service vacuum spaces, and access to South FM 548. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved by voice vote.

Cottages at Gateway (multifamily cottage-style): The commission approved a preliminary plat and a site plan for a 17.64-acre project north of North Gateway Boulevard and east of Reeder Road that was enabled by a zoning amendment approved at a prior meeting. The unit mix on the site plan is 14 studio units, 82 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units, and 27 three-bedroom units. The project is platted under one large lot and includes a leasing office and amenities; staff recommended approval and the commission approved both items.

Covenant Dental: The commission approved a site plan for a new single-story, 5,000-square-foot dental office north of FM 548 and FM 741 with 35 parking spaces and stucco exterior elevations. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

Gateway Parks phases (5B and 8): The commission approved preliminary and final plats for Gateway Parks Phase 5B (102 residential lots and 4 open-space lots on about 29 acres) and for Gateway Parks Phase 8 (176 residential lots and 5 open-space lots on about 49 acres). Staff recommended approval on all plats and the commission approved each by voice vote.

Trail House Park ("Slicks"): The commission approved preliminary and final plats for Trail House Park Addition Lot 10R, Block A — a 5-acre lot for an entertainment venue the staff and commissioners identified as "Slicks," a bowling/entertainment operation located in the Trail House Park planned development. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved both plats.

Wildcat Forney Section 2: The commission approved preliminary and final plats to subdivide 505 East US Highway 80 into two lots (5 acres); staff recommended approval and the commission approved both motions.

Discount Tire and Dick’s Sporting Goods: Site plans for Discount Tire (north of US 80 east of Cypress Hollow Drive) and a 60,000-square-foot Dick’s Sporting Goods (north of US 80 west of North Gateway Boulevard) were approved after staff recommended approval.

Navy Federal Credit Union: The commission approved a site plan for a 4,000-square-foot Navy Federal Credit Union building west of Veil House Lane north of US 80; the proposal includes 42 parking spaces.

Taco Bell: The commission approved a site plan for a 2,000-square-foot Taco Bell with drive-through on the east side of North FM 548 south of Ridgecrest Road. Mr. Stansberry signed in to speak and said he was "just here to answer any questions." Staff recommended approval and the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

Why this matters: The approvals move multiple commercial and residential development projects through Forney’s permitting process, establishing lot boundaries, site designs, and unit counts that will guide construction and subsequent permitting. Most items were approved on staff recommendation with little public comment or contested debate during the meeting.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting transcript): • Ace Forney preliminary plat — motion to approve; second not specified; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Ace Forney site plan (Ace Hardware, 15,000 sq. ft., 3.0821 acres) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Tiger Spa Car Wash site plan (5,634 sq. ft. tunnel; vacuum bays interiorized; 15 self-service vacuums) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Cottages at Gateway preliminary plat (17.64 acres) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Cottages at Gateway site plan (unit mix: 14 studios; 82 1BR; 77 2BR; 27 3BR) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Covenant Dental site plan (5,000 sq. ft.; 35 parking spaces) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Gateway Parks Phase 5B preliminary and final plats (102 lots; 29 acres) — motions to approve; outcomes: approved by voice votes. • Gateway Parks Phase 8 preliminary and final plats (176 lots; 49 acres) — motions to approve; outcomes: approved by voice votes. • Trail House Park Addition Lot 10R preliminary and final plats (1 lot; 5 acres; entertainment venue "Slicks") — motions to approve; outcomes: approved by voice votes. • Wildcat Forney Section 2 preliminary and final plats (2 lots; 5 acres) — motions to approve; outcomes: approved by voice votes. • Discount Tire site plan — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Dick’s Sporting Goods site plan (60,000 sq. ft.) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Navy Federal Credit Union site plan (4,000 sq. ft.; 42 parking spaces) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. • Taco Bell site plan (2,000 sq. ft.; drive-thru) — motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote.

Provenance (transcript evidence): topic intro for the round of action items begins at s=371.44998 (Ace Forney preliminary plat) and the final major action (Taco Bell approval) is recorded at s=1740.21. Specific excerpts supporting each item appear throughout the meeting transcript at the times cited in the timeline.

Speakers cited: Chair (unnamed), Staff member (presenter), Judy (staff referenced), Commissioner Peter (questions), Mr. Stansberry (applicant representative for Taco Bell), various commissioners who moved/seconded items (not individually named in transcript).