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Council approves Samaritan’s Purse office expansion, orders tree‑mitigation fees and permits removal of a large ash
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Summary
Council approved a PD amendment to allow a new 37,699‑sq‑ft, 3‑story office building and expanded parking for Samaritan’s Purse, requiring payment of tree mitigation fees and authorizing removal of a 40.3‑inch ash tree after staff analysis and council action.
The Coppell City Council approved amendments to PD‑296 allowing Samaritan’s Purse to build a new 37,699‑square‑foot, three‑story office building and add parking, while directing that tree mitigation fees be assessed and granting council approval to remove a large ash tree cited as in declining health.
Staff said the project requires removal of some existing trees for the new parking area; staff estimated tree mitigation fees between $110,000 and $134,000. Planning & Zoning recommended approval subject to conditions including additional engineering review, recordation of a plat prior to building permit, administrative approval for landscaping changes within a 30‑foot gas easement, compliance with signage ordinances, and a downstream drainage analysis to determine whether stormwater detention is necessary.
Applicant Greg Yancey told council an alternate layout that would save the large ash tree would eliminate roughly 22% of parking (about 39 spaces). He also presented an arborist’s assessment indicating the ash was in decline and argued that the applicant’s ministry status merited consideration of mitigation fee waiver. Council debated whether the fees should be waived and whether permission should be given to remove the ash.
After discussion the council approved the project with staff conditions and an amendment specifying that tree mitigation fees be assessed (i.e., not waived) and that the ash tree may be removed. The final roll call on approval recorded five votes in favor and two opposed: yes — Hinojosa Smith, Carol, Nevills, Premkumar, Matthew; no — Walker, Hill.
The approval also clarified that building signage must meet city limits, that staff may administratively approve landscaping adjustments within the gas easement, and that further engineering work (including downstream drainage analysis) will be required during permit review.
The council’s decision allows the applicant to proceed through permitting with the stated conditions; the tree mitigation fee payment and final tree removal will be handled per council direction.
