Council approves rezoning for 20,000 sq ft indoor soccer facility at Crystal Drive; $5,000 contribution redirected to sidewalks

The Balch Springs City Council voted to approve a comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning request (application 001-2026) to permit a 20,000-square-foot indoor soccer facility at 2404 Crystal Drive, unanimously approving the zoning and development agreement on March 23.

Planning staff described the proposed facility as a 20,000-square-foot building containing two indoor soccer fields, spectator seating, concessions, office and storage areas, and on-site detention. Staff said the project would include a masonry façade, an 8-foot masonry perimeter wall adjacent to single-family homes, sidewalks at the facility entrance, perimeter landscaping, security cameras and an on-site security guard, and 91 parking spaces (including six ADA spaces). Planning staff estimated the capital investment at about $1,800,000 and said the PD would limit allowed uses so that the site is dedicated to indoor athletics or similar indoor commercial amusement uses.

"The development will include a 20,000 square foot soccer facility," planning staff said in the presentation. Applicant representatives said the venue, proposed to be named Unity 7, aims to serve local youth and reduce travel to neighboring cities for training and tournaments. Applicant representative Ricardo Cristina said, "We're excited for the project."

During council questioning members pressed staff and applicants on staffing, traffic and safety. Staff said the project lists about 12 staff on-site (including nine referees and two concession staff) with additional security for events; applicant representatives said typical staffing could be 15–16 people when accounting for shifts. The staff traffic-impact analysis (TIA) showed no significant impacts that would require immediate upgrades to Crystal Drive; staff and applicants said the TIA and proposed circulation measures are intended to minimize ingress/egress issues. Council members raised concern about sidewalks and pedestrian safety for children; in response the council amended the development agreement so the $5,000 developer contribution would be allocated to off-site sidewalks rather than a downtown center contribution.

The public hearing record included a community meeting on Feb. 12 with no attendees and a Planning & Zoning recommendation of approval on Feb. 19. Applicant representatives expressed interest in partnerships with the city’s recreation programs and in offering reduced-cost memberships for children who could not otherwise afford participation.

Council members also sought assurances about noise mitigation; staff said the building shell will be insulated and the developer agreed to consult with a sound engineer. The rezoning and development agreement were approved by motion (mover: Council Member Salaat) and second; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript other than the presiding officer's announcement that the motion passed.

Next steps: staff will finalize the development agreement incorporating the council amendment to allocate the $5,000 contribution toward off-site sidewalk construction and will proceed to platting and permitting as required.