Gateway BP(1.2)-CS030918CITY OF COPPELL
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
CASE: Gateway Business Park, Lot 1, Block 1,
Site Plan Amendment (UPS Supply Chain Solutions)
P & Z HEARING DATE: September 18, 2003
C.C. HEARING DATE: October 14, 2003
STAFF REP.: Gary L. Sieb, Planning Director
LOCATION: 660 Fritz Drive
SIZE OF AREA: 17.8 acres of property
CURRENT ZONING: LI (Light Industrial)
REQUEST: To allow two guardhouses and perimeter 8 foot chain -link security
fencing with landscaping.
APPLICANT: Abstract Construction
Sheri Ablett /Perry Pitman
1157 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX. 75229
(469) 385 -9700
FAX: (469) 385 -9753
HISTORY: This property was developed with the Fritz Companies 300,000
square -foot facility in 1996. It is our understanding that Fritz has
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recently been sold to UPS, who has concerns with trucking
security -- hence, the reason for this request.
TRANSPORTATION: Gateway Boulevard is a C4U four -lane undivided street on the
thoroughfare plan built to standard in a 70 foot right of way. Fritz
Drive is a C2U also built to standard.
SURROUNDING LAND USE & ZONING:
North- office, warehouse; LI (Light Industrial)
South - office; HC (Highway Commercial)
East- office/ showroom; LI (Light Industrial)
West- LBJ Freeway; LI (Light Industrial)
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The 1996 Comprehensive Master Plan shows the property
as suitable for freeway office uses.
DISCUSSION: This request is a bit more complicated than one would imagine at first
blush. Basically, as we understand it, Fritz Companies has been sold to
UPS Supply Chain Solutions. As UPS looked at this property, they
determined more security was needed in their truck courts. They
approached staff with a proposal to erect an eight -foot chain link fence
on the north side of the building to aid their security concerns. We
approved that fencing administratively, with a condition that it would be
a black vinyl - coated fence and extensive landscaping would be included.
The applicant abided by our conditions, and today, an 8 -foot black
vinyl- coated security fence is on -site and five -foot tall Nellie R. Stevens
holly have been planted.
As a general rule, staff is not supportive of chain link fencing anywhere
in the City. In fact, there is a pending amendment to the fencing
ordinance that will not allow it. In this case, however, we looked
favorably on the request because it was on the north side of the building
and not exposed to freeway traffic on LBJ; it was constructed of black
vinyl, which helps reduce its overall appearance; it was heavily
landscaped to further reduce its visual impact. In addition, there are
existing chain link fences at Haverty's and Park `N Fly, down the street,
and at the regional postal facility around the corner on Royal.
This fence addition to the property was pretty straightforward. Where
things get a bit more complex is that UPS now wants to add a similar
fence on the south side of the building (which is subject to much greater
visual exposure) and add guard houses at both the north and south truck
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courts. Adding complications to the request is the fact that the elevations
submitted for the guard houses have absolutely no architectural
relationship to the existing building. Staff could support some sort of
security fencing on the south side of the building (perhaps a more aesthetic
fence, such as decorative metal), as long as extensive landscaping was
included to screen the fence. In addition, it was discussed that masonry
columns might add to the aesthetic appeal of such fencing. The
application before you requests an amendment to the Site Plan that would
recognize the administratively approved fencing /landscaping on the north
side of the building and further asks for Site Plan approval on the south
side. That approval would include fencing, as well as two guardhouses.
The elevations of the guardhouses are totally out of character with the
main building, and staff cannot support this design. Because the main
building is tilt -wall construction, something more in line with that
construction material is warranted.
RECOMMENDATION TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
Staff is recommending approval of the fencing and landscaping on the north
side of the building and suggesting a decorative metal security fence on the
south side, with appropriate landscaping - -in this case Nellie R. Stevens
holly. In addition, the applicant should give further thought to possibly
adding masonry columns to the south fence (as discussed in the
Development Review Committee meeting) and carving that design element
into fabrication of the south guard house. That said, an architecturally
attractive guardhouse, tying in the stone fence columns with a stone material
for the guardhouse, could work. The problem with the appearance of the
north guardhouse remains, however, and nothing short of tilt -wall
construction (economically questionable) would blend the guardhouse into
the main building. Considerable discussion needs to be initiated at the
Commission hearing to resolve this design problem.
ALTERNATIVES
1)
Recommend approval of the request
2)
Recommend disapproval of the request
3)
Recommend modification of the request
4)
Take under advisement for reconsideration at a later date.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Site Plan
2) Guard house Elevations
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