Commission approves 65-unit, age-restricted Maple Loft after guest-parking variance withdrawn

The Grand Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission on May 12 approved a comprehensive-plan amendment (CPA-26-03-0005) and a zoning change (ZON-26-02-0003) to allow Maple Loft, a four-story, 65-unit, age-restricted multifamily development targeted to households at or below 60% of area median income. Commissioner Janie Mendez Adakari moved to close the public hearing and approve both items while removing the guest-parking variance; the motion passed unanimously.

Planning staff told the commission the property is currently designated for light industrial uses and that the proposed high-density residential designation is inconsistent with the future land-use map, so staff could not support the amendment. "Staff is unable to support their request because it is inconsistent with the future land use map," a staff planner said. The staff presentation nevertheless noted that an age-restricted multifamily product would provide a housing type currently lacking in the central area and would buffer existing single-family neighborhoods from industrial uses to the north.

Applicant CJ Lintner of KCGE Companies said the project is sized for 65 units and will be elevator served with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. "This is affordable housing for people making 60% or less than the average median income for the area," Lintner said, adding the developer is pursuing state tax-credit funding and has municipal support from a council resolution previously adopted for a similar concept. He also said the team will hire local subcontractors and open community programming and events to nearby residents.

Commissioners questioned traffic near the adjacent school, noise from neighboring industrial uses, the absence of a gated entry and emergency access. Staff and the applicant said a traffic study was not required for a 65-unit project at this review stage, the manager will be an on-site full-time employee trained in CPR (not a medical professional), and final turning radii and fire access will be resolved through the site-plan and fire-department review. The applicant agreed to provide the seven required guest-parking spaces and withdrew the guest-parking variance during the hearing.

The commission approved the plan and zoning application as amended and will forward final zoning documents consistent with the motion to subsequent steps in the land-use process.