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Council approves specific-use permit for residential care home with closure condition on existing site
Summary
After neighbors raised safety and ownership concerns, the Grand Prairie council approved a specific-use permit for a four‑person home‑and‑community‑based residential provider at 26427 Steppington Street with the condition that the operator's other location be closed before the new site opens.
The council approved a specific-use permit for a residential care provider at 26427 Steppington Street after hearing neighbor concerns and a staff presentation describing required state and city oversight. Planning staff said the provider was approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for four residents and that the location will operate with trained staff on site and standard life‑safety equipment.
Neighbors voiced concerns about enforcement and the identity of the property owner. Eric Willis asked, “On a Saturday night, when you've got schizophrenics or people running up and down the sidewalk, who's gonna enforce this?” Staff replied that 911 response would be the same as for any location and that the state commission oversees certification for HCBS providers while the city responds to immediate safety calls. Council member Lopez moved to approve item 34 with the condition that the operator’s existing facility at 2637 Steventon Drive be closed prior to opening the new location; the council voted in favor and the motion carried.
Staff noted Planning & Zoning had recommended denial (6–3) while the development review committee recommended approval with conditions limiting occupancy to four and requiring registration and code compliance. The council’s motion included a condition intended to prevent overlapping operations by the same operator in the city.
