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Planning and Zoning Commission approves specific-use permit for 1,500 sq ft art studio at Horseman Estates
Summary
The Lucas Planning and Zoning Commission approved a specific-use permit allowing an accessory 1,500-square-foot farmhouse to be used as an art studio at 10 Horseman Drive, subject to five conditions including demolition of existing accessory structures and a deed restriction limiting use to the property owners.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 on March 12 to approve a specific-use permit (SUP) for an accessory building at 10 Horseman Drive in Horseman Estates that the applicants said will serve as an art studio and homeschooling space for their family.
Staff described the proposal as a single-room accessory farmhouse totaling 1,500 square feet on a property zoned R-2; the city code allows accessory use with an SUP up to 1,500 sq ft while 900 sq ft is permitted by right. The motion, made and restated by the chair, approved the SUP with five conditions: all existing accessory buildings on the property must be demolished before a permit is issued; the building shall be used solely by the owner or residents; it shall not be constructed, modified or used as an accessory dwelling unit; any commercial use would require immediate modification to meet the city's adopted International Building Code and ADA requirements; and the owner must file an amended deed restriction with the Collin County Clerk before a building permit is issued.
Applicant Carmen Lynn said the family currently lives in Murphy and intends to build a homestead at 10 Horseman Drive; she said the structure would serve their three children and is not intended as a school open to the public. Staff and commissioners noted the project had been submitted earlier as a private/bridal school and had drawn negative neighborhood input; Hilburn (staff) told the commission the applicants withdrew that earlier application and resubmitted it as an art studio. Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement limits, with staff explaining that proving unauthorized commercial use is difficult in practice and typically requires evidence such as repeat observations or neighbor-submitted footage.
The commission recessed briefly to get legal input on wording referenced in the motion, returned to the dais, restated the motion with a clarification on the applicable edition of the building code, and voted to approve. The SUP approval is conditioned on the deed restriction and other requirements listed by the commission; staff will track compliance through the building-permit process.
