Council approves planned-development amendment at 1020 N. Murphy Road to allow lot split, shared parking

The Murphy City Council on May 20 approved an ordinance amending Planned Development PD 21-11-1237 to permit the subdivision and updated development standards for a 1.49‑acre site at 1020 North Murphy Road.

Planning staff explained the amendment allows the existing two-building site plan to be subdivided into two nonresidential lots while preserving the originally approved building locations and aesthetics. The amendment eliminates the side‑yard setback between the two nonresidential lots, requires shared parking, and calls for coordinated screening materials and building finishes so the two lots will develop cohesively.

Reagan (planning staff) told the council the change addresses a subdivision scenario that was not anticipated in the original PD approval and would prevent an unintended 40-foot gap between buildings if the site were split under the current standards. The code changes also include additional screening standards for a second trash enclosure if one is built; the staff report said the two developers would likely share a single enclosure.

Two speakers from the existing tenant community spoke in support during the public hearing. Mark Rule, an office manager at the South Fork location on the property, said the amendment would “help our business” and submitted 67 signatures from staff and clients in favor. Dr. Hector Carbonell, the local veterinarian at 1020 North Murphy Road, spoke for the project team and said the amendment would facilitate the sale of the subdivided tract and help the clinic’s plans to build a new South Fork veterinary clinic.

Staff reported the city received two mailed responses during the public-notice period — one in favor and one opposed — and that the opposed respondent did not appear at the hearing after staff follow-up. Councilmembers asked about signage, building colors and the sign’s size; the applicant agreed to change the sign color to better match the building and staff said the council could set conditions on sign size if it desired.

A motion to adopt the ordinance carried unanimously. The ordinance as approved preserves the minimum setbacks to adjacent residential property, continues to allow restaurants and certain retail uses only with a special use permit, and maintains the approved parking calculations for office uses.

Ending: Planning staff will implement the amended PD standards when the applicant files final plats and building permits; staff said they will follow up with the applicant on sign dimensions and color to ensure conformance with city sign rules.