Freeport-3.1/Re-CS 960807JUN-C3-199? 10:06 CITY OF COPPELL P.02
P.O Box 478
~' ;~z~---"~'~~-~-~1'/~--~'~ I Copl::)el,. Texas 75019
August 7, 1996
Mr Robert Ahmu~
MEPC American Properties
Suite 100
15303 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75248
Dear Mr. Ahmuty:
The City of Coppcll Board of Adjustment heard y.our request for a special exception and
variance on August 1, 1996, for the property locatbd at the northwest corner o£ Royal Lane at
Gatcview Blvd.
The Board voted to grant your requests from Sectiions 33-1-4 and 34-1-8(A) of the City's
Zoning Ordinance, to allow for a living screen in lieu of a masonry screen in front of the
truck court along the Gateview frontage, and to allow for the elimination of one planter ~sland
in the locking dock area, as indicated on the drawing which signed and dated August 1, 1996.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (214) 304-3508, Monday
through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p m
Chzef Building Official
GJ..'mbs
JUN-03-199? 10:06 CITY OF COPPELL P.05
Board of Adjustment
August I, 1996
Page 5
ITEM 7: Pubhc Hearing to consider a request :for a variance from Section 29-4-4(C) of
the City's Sign Ordinance to allow four the erection of a banner through the
summer months until September 30t~. Mr. Joe Bob Fikes is requesting the
variance to allow his nursery business to advertise the availability of fresh
produce at 79a Denton Tap Road. ~he City's Sign Ordinance allows
businesscs m operatton for one year br more to bc permitted to erect one
temporary' banner sign two times per calendar year, for a maximum of 14 days
for each permit.
Chairman Frnka reported that the applicant has requested that the variance request be
continued until the next meeting.
Commissioner Bizzell made a motion that this request be tabled until the September meeting.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wensel, arid a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to
0 Continuance granted.
ITEM 8: Public Hearing to consider a varianc~ from Section 33-1-a of the City's Zoning
Ordinance to allow for a l,ving screen of a loading dock area in lieu of a six
foot (6') masonry screen, and for cogsideration of this living screen as the basis
for an additional variance from Section 34-1-8(A)I to allow for the ehminat~on
of one planter island and its related iandscape and irrigation in the same
loading dock area. This variance is being requested by Mr. Robert Ahmuty on
behalf of MEPC Properties, for the property locmed at the northwest comer of
Royal Lane and Gateview Blvd.
Grey Jones explained that this is a two-part request. He indicated that the Ordinance requires
a 6 ft. masonry screen in a loading dock area adjae, ent to a public right-of-way, in this case,
Gateview corridor. Referring to the landscape drawing, he explained that the applicant is
requesting approval of a living screen in the loading dock area in lieu of the required 6-ft
masonry, screen, and the elimination of one planter~ island, as well as its accompanying
landscaping and irrigation, in that same loading doi;k area. which is marked with an "X" on
the landscape drawing.
Grey Jones commented that the Landscape Ordinance generally allows for the exempt~or~ of
any required landscaping behind a masonry screen ionce that screen is erected. Likewise, he
noted that Staff is of the opinion that a living screbn that adequately screens a loading dock
area will equally suffice to screen a parking area.
Chairman Frnka inquired about the length of the screen, and Greg Jones indicated that ~t
extends for approximately 200 feet along GatevieW Drive. Chairman Frnka also asked about
the types of materials to be used, and it was determined to be a 4-ft. berm with trees on top.
In regard to the proposed berm, Commissioner W~nsel asked if additional landscaping would
be ~ncluded, or would the remaining amount be rearranged within the area. Greg Jones
indicated that the appitcant would need to address;that specific question, but explained that he
felt this was a modification of what the applicant might normally have in that area
JUN-03-199? 10:07 CITY OF CDPPELL P.04
Board of Adjustment
August l, I996
Page 6
Chairman Frnka invited the applicant to come forward to present his case.
Robert Ahmuty, on behalf of MEPC American Properties, noted that the request does not
~nvolve a reduction of the ordfnance requirements. ;but rather is an alternative method to
achieving the same goal. He explained that this r.~quest involves building #2 in the same
business park, and is similar to the request consldeked a few months ago for building ~1. He
explained that the objective is to create earthen beams to shield the truck court areas in order
to comply with the park covenants jointly developed by MEPC and Emerson Parmers. He
noted that a masonry screen does not meet the aeslhet~c goal set forth m the park covenants.
In addition to the earthen berms, he explained that-6- to 8-ft. Austrian Pine, which grow full
to the ground, will be used on top or along the sid.~s of the 4-ft. berm to straddle both ends of
zt and provide a ntce rhythm down the drive. He further explmned that the number of trees
used will actually exceed the requirement along th.e perimeter zone
Meeting was opened to the public. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the request
Meeting was closed to the pubhc and opened to thle Board for discussion.
Commissioner Wensel asked that if the request for the living screen is granted, would the
~ssue regarding the landscape island still remain. Greg Jones indicated that both issues need
to be acted upon by the Board. Board members agreed that approval should be granted based
on the landscape drawing submitted.
Motion was made by Commissioner Bizzell that the special exception be granted allowing the
hying screen, and that the variance request to elirrfi.~'nate one planter ~sland in the loading dock
area be granted, as indicated on the signed and da~ed drawing submitted by the applicant.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kertz and a vote was taken. Motion earned, 5 to 0.
Special exception and variance granted_
ITEM 9: Public Hearing to consider a request for a variance from Section 34-l-ti(C) of
the City's Zoning Ordinance to allow for a variance to the requirements for
perimeter screening and landscape and irrigation along a shared truck court
area. This variance is being requested by Mr Gerald Mays on behalf of
Prentiss Properties for the property :located at the southwest corner of Belthne
Road and Airline Drive
Greg lones noted that this is a two-part variance r~quest The first part deals w~th a request
for deferral of the landscaping and screening requirements along the shared property hne
between the two proposed industrial users, and the second, a request for the eiim~nation of the
landscape and screening reqmrements at that sam~ property line He noted that currently
Prentiss Properties owns the north parcel, and they have a three-year opt, on to buy the south
one. At request of staff, he reported that Prentiss'agreed to go back and reconfigure the
project and request the variance in such a way th~it if they did not purchase the adjoining
TOTAL P.04