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Farmers Branch council adopts ordinance to allow Preston Hollow Presbyterian School at 4000 McEwen Road
Summary
The council unanimously approved Ordinance 3891 to amend PD‑90 and allow Preston Hollow Presbyterian School to repurpose two vacant office buildings at 4000 McEwen Road for a private K–8 school serving students with learning disabilities; the school is under contract to purchase the site and expects about 115 students, expanding to roughly 150 at maximum.
The Farmers Branch City Council on Oct. 8 unanimously adopted Ordinance 3891 to amend Planned Development PD‑90 and permit Preston Hollow Presbyterian School to occupy roughly 2.79 acres at 4000 McEwen Road.
City planning staff, represented by Sarah Bergman, deputy director of planning, said the site currently contains two vacant office buildings and that the applicant proposed reconfiguring surface parking, adding landscaping and installing a perimeter wrought‑iron fence without changing building footprints or facades. Bergman said the request aligns with the Farmers Branch comprehensive plan and that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously on Sept. 9.
John Arnold, a parent who said he was not affiliated with the school’s ownership, told the council the school has served students with learning disabilities (including dyslexia and dysgraphia) for decades and is under contract to purchase the McEwen Road property. Arnold said the school currently enrolls about 115 students and could grow to roughly 150 if it adds an 8th‑grade class; typical class sizes are about 12 students, with some grades having two classes of about 24. “We are under contract by the school,” Arnold said, and added the school hopes to occupy the site by August, contingent on receiving the zoning change.
Council members asked about purchase terms, student counts and timing. Bergman said her understanding is the school is under contract to purchase the property. Staff and the applicant discussed site work limited to reconfiguring parking and providing additional landscaping; building footprints will remain the same.
With no members of the public signed up to speak to the item, a council member moved to close the public hearing and approve Ordinance 3891. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous show of hands.
The ordinance approves the amended PD use and the site plan as presented; the council did not record any conditions beyond the submitted plans. The approval allows the school to pursue required building‑permit and site‑work approvals next.
