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Council approves six‑building Interurban special development plan after screening debate
Summary
The council unanimously approved a special development plan for six industrial-flex buildings at 500 N. Interurban Street. Developers pitched a sequenced, flexible project to catalyze the district; council and staff negotiated screening and outdoor‑storage provisions but approved the plan as presented.
The council voted unanimously to approve zoning file ZF26‑12, a special development plan for a coordinated, six‑building commercial flex development on approximately 2.25 acres at 500 North Interurban Street.
Developer Steven Graham of Simple Development Partners presented the project as a single, unified plan to stabilize underused parcels along the DART corridor and create ~41,000 square feet of sprinkled flex/showroom product. "We assembled contiguous properties under one owner...one owner can sequence a block, hold every building to one standard, and be accountable to you by name," Graham said, arguing the assemblage was the key to making the project financially feasible.
Council discussion focused on outdoor storage, interior screening between buildings, truck maneuverability and the proposed 6‑foot masonry wall along the DART right‑of‑way. Staff said outdoor storage is an allowable accessory use but is typically required to be screened; the applicant asked for relief on interior screening to preserve operational flexibility. Several council members suggested use‑triggered or partial screening to protect future retail or restaurant tenants; staff offered a compromise that screening could be required at the time a use that would generate public exposure (for example a restaurant) applied for occupancy.
After debate, council approved the special development plan as presented, encouraging the applicant to pursue restaurants and other active uses on the frontage where feasible.
