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Town Center West-CS 991216 CITY OF COPPELL PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT CASE NO.: PD-178R2, TOWN CENTER WEST DETAIL SITE PLAN OF THE CHILDREN'S COURTYARD DAYCARE AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS P & Z HEARING DATE: December 16, 1999 C.C. HEARING DATE: January 11,-2000 LOCATION: South of Town Center West Boulevard, approximately 320' west of N. Denton Tap Road. SIZE OF AREA: Approximately 2.7 acres of property for development of a 10,200 square foot daycare center and a 10,500 square foot child development facility. CURRENT ZONING: PD-C (Planned Development, Commercial) REQUEST: PD amendment to allow the construction of a 10,262 square foot daycare and a 10,545 square foot child development facility. The combined use is projected to have a maximum enrollment of 334 children. APPLICANT: Prospective Purchaser: Realtex Ventures Jim Mills 1825 Wimbleton Drive,//21000 Arlington, TX. 76017 (817) 784-9947 Fax: (817) 468-9521 HISTORY: This property was approved as a conceptual Planned Development district in May of 1999. TRANSPORTATION: Denton Tap Road is a P6D, six-lane divided thoroughfare contained within 110-120 feet of right of way. Proposed Town Item # 5 Center Blvd. West will be a 27-foot wide local street allowing access to the Coppell High School property. SURROUNDING LAND USE & ZONING: North- existing single-family development; PD-129, SF-9 South - vacant; "C", Commercial East- Comerica Bank; "TC" Town Center West -single family housing; SF-12 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Comprehensive Plan shows the property suitable for retail, commercial uses. DISCUSSION: This is a request' upon property approved as a Conceptual Planned Development in May of 1999. There are two uses proposed for this 2.7- acre site, a daycare center, and a child development facility. The difference between these two uses relates to the fact that the daycare center will primarily cater to younger children (infants to grade pre-K) and the development center will serve children already in school (ages 5 to 12) and an after school program. A major concern of staff relates to the uses proposed. Specifically, one could argue that the last thing needed in Coppell is another daycare center. Several of our current facilities are not operating at projected levels, and two new ones are scheduled to open within the next three to four months (Smart Start and Kiddin' Around) less than one-half mile away. In addition, the YMCA has a baby-sitting program somewhat similar to what is being described here, and it is directly across the street from the proposal.. One could question the advisability of yet another such facility in this area. Also, a six-foot chain link fence separating this use from potential commercial uses on the south could be questioned regarding compatibility of use. Of equal concern to staff is the traffic that will be generated by these uses and the times that traffic will be introduced. It is somewhat ironic that the reason we worked so diligently with the current owner of this property to procure a second access to the high school was to relieve the congested traffic conditions with the existing singular entrance. After several months of difficult negotiation, we finally garnered permission to build this roadway at City expense, and the first potential user of the land adjacent is a user who could defeat the purpose of the road in the first place--to provide efficient traffic movement into the high school grounds! Day care facilities have the same peak traffic demands as schools, and this use at this location is not in the best interest of the citizens of this community. A commercial/retail or office user is much more desirable at this Item # 5 location, and that is the type of detailed project we would prefer to see locate here, similar to the proposed use on the eastern end of the tract. RECOMMENDATION TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: Staff recommends DENIAL of this use as it has potential to create a traffic congestion problem with its peak hours of operation in direct conflict with the high school traffic pattern. In a similar case, the day care provider agreed to modify his hours of operation and did not begin until 8:30 a.m. When suggested to this potential operator, he declined to follow that suggestion. In addition, a day care facility in a commercial area is also questioned. A more compatible use here would be similar to what is being proposed along Denton Tap Road--office, retail, and those commercial uses that have a different traffic peak pattern. Denial is recommended. ALTERNATIVES: 1) Recommend approval of the request 2) Recommend denial of the request 3) Modify the request 4) Take under advisement for additional information ATTACHMENTS: 1) Site/Monument/Fencing Plan 2) Landscape Plan 3) Irrigation Plan 4) Tree Mitigation Plan 5) Construction Detail/Screening Wall 6) Departmental Comments Item # 5