City Council Memo1
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Mindi Hurley, Director of Community Development
Date: June 8, 2021
Reference: PUBLIC HEARING: PD-306-HC, VariSpace Coppell, Lot 1, Block A, a zoning change
request from HC (Highway Commercial) to PD-306-HC (Planned Development-306-
Highway Commercial), to approve a Detail Site Plan for a 185,700-square-foot, 3-story
office building with a two-story parking garage; on 9.84 acres of property located at the
southeast corner of SH 121 and North Freeport Parkway at the request of Jeff Lamb,
Varidesk LLC.
2040 Pillars: Create Business & Innovation Nodes
Executive Summary:
The Detail Planned Development is for a three-story VariSpace Office Building, approximately 185,700-
square feet in size. VariSpace is proposing to occupy approximately 1/3 of the space while offering up
the remainder for lease. A 185,700 square foot three story building compatible with the 2030
Comprehensive Master Plan calling for Freeway Commercial and listing mid-rise office as an appropriate
use. The reason for the Planned Development request is to allow for specific conditions unique to this
project. These conditions include: 9’x18’ parking spaces where head to head conditions exist, a reduced
loading zone area, and monument and directional sign variances.
Introduction:
The subject property is the product of combining two platted lots: one from the Prologis Park One Twenty
One subdivision and one from One Twenty One Business Park subdivision.
Analysis:
In terms of circulation, there is a proposed entrance from SH 121 that will have a decel lane. Other access
points are from Freeport Parkway and Northwestern Drive. There is a proposed fire lane that encircles
the building. Per the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) that was submitted with this request, a right turn lane
is also being shown on Northwestern Drive leading to Freeport Parkway.
The applicant is well exceeding the parking required by the Zoning Ordinance at 1 parking space per 300
square feet building area for a professional office use (619 parking spaces required, 728 parking spaces
provided). This proposal includes both surface and garage parking. In an effort to anticipate future users
with a high parking demand, the Planning and Zoning Commission included a condition in the
recommendation allowing the Director of Community Development the authority to administratively
amend the PD if an additional level of parking is applied for in the future.
2
The proposed landscaping area (27% of the site) exceeds the minimum area required. The proposed trees
(132 overstory trees at 4” caliper size) are exceeding the quantity and size requirements (119 required at
3” caliper size).
The proposed building signage meets the zoning ordinance requirements. An extra monument sign is
proposed along the Freeport Parkway frontage and internal to the site. Directional signage, 12 square feet
in size, was recommended as an exception to the 3 square feet maximum. These are both listed as
conditions within the Planning and Zoning recommendation.
Legal Review:
N/A
Fiscal Impact:
None
Recommendation:
The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously (7-0) recommended approval subject to the following
conditions:
1. Additional comments may be generated upon detail engineering and building permit reviews.
2. The existing conditions drainage area map shall be included with the detail engineering plans.
3. A Tree Removal Permit will be required prior to the removal of any trees. Tree mitigation fees of
$19,100 will be due at that time.
4. The Director of Community Development shall be authorized to administratively review the
addition of a third level to the parking garage as an amendment to the Planned Development.
5. An additional single-tenant and an additional multi-tenant monument sign be allowed on-site.
6. Directional signage be allowed as shown on the sign plan.
7. Parking space sizes be allowed as listed on the plans.
8. The loading zone be allowed as depicted on the site plan.
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Site Plan & Garage Floor Plan
3. Tree Survey & Landscape Plan
4. Elevations/Rendering/Color Board
5. Signage Plan