City Council Memo1
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Mindi Hurley, Director of Community Development
Date: March 9, 2021
Reference: Public Hearing: Consider approval of a zoning change request from PD-184-SF-ED (Planned
Development–184 - Single-Family Residential– Estate District) to PD-184R2-SF-ED (Planned
Development–184 Revision Two- Single-Family Residential– Estate District) to incorporate the
existing carriage house as a part of the Planned Development District and to allow the addition of
a guest suite, pool pavilion, game room, greenhouse, porch, and new entry gate to an existing
residential unit located on 5.067 acres of land located at 748 Deforest Road.
2040: Future-Oriented Approach to Residential Development
Executive Summary:
In March 2000, the property was rezoned from Agriculture to PD-184-SF-ED to allow for a residential dwelling
and pool and associated PD conditions. In 2002, a carriage house was built on the property connected to the main
house with a pergola. This is a two-story building with a garage on the ground floor and a room upstairs with a
bathroom, this is located to the west of the main house along the circular drive. The current owners would like to
make some improvements to their property in the form of a guest suite, pool pavilion, game room, greenhouse,
porch, and new entry gate.
Introduction:
The majority of the new development will occur behind the existing house, backing up to Denton Creek. The
construction begins with an extension of the concrete slab at the rear of the existing house and the addition of a
covered porch area. The new buildings will be a combination of stone veneer and stucco that will complement the
main house. The new covered open-air porch area will be added onto the main house. A new one-story guest suite
of 810 sf is proposed to be located on the west side of the pool area. This building is proposed to contain a guest
bedroom and bathroom. This will not be independently rented out but available for visiting family. The building
also contains a pool bathroom (toilet, sink and shower) that is accessible only from the outside.
To the east of the guest suite, a pool house (2,303 sf) with a kitchen is proposed. This portion of the pool house is
directly north of the pool and opens up into a bar and game area to the east of the pool. Also, a pool storage room
is part of this building, but only accessible from the outside. A concrete pad with a trellis of 9’7” in height is
proposed between the pool area and the new pool house. A green house (392 sf) is proposed to the east of the
existing residence and approximately 44-120 feet from the adjacent properties and is just under 17 feet in height.
The first ten feet of height will be stone like the other buildings, with the remaining portion being a skylight.
The entrance into the property on Deforest Road is also proposed to be modified. The existing retaining wall will
be reconstructed, and a new entrance feature and gate is proposed. The existing gate is a sliding gate, while the
proposed gate swings open into the property. The Fire Department will require that the entry gate be equipped with
GTT Opticom sensor for emergency apparatus to open the gate and a Knox override in the event of malfunction.
There are no planned improvements to the existing asphalt driveway from the entry gate to the house with this
submittal. While most residences can be accessed by the fire department and fire apparatus from the street or fire
2
lane that is constructed, typically of concrete, to withstand the weight of the fire apparatus (80,000 lbs.), this
driveway is approximately a quarter of a mile in length and is constructed of asphalt. Staff is concerned that the
driveway may be damaged if they have to respond to a call at this address. A PD condition that the city will not
be responsible for repairing the driveway for any damaged that may be caused responding to a call at this address
from emergency apparatus.
Analysis:
Staff received approximately 15 inquiries (phone calls/emails) about the request. There seems to be some
confusion as to what is being requested. The majority of the inquiries centered around just finding out what was
being requested, with incorrect assumptions that the request involves subdividing the property or creating multi-
family and that two entrances were being proposed and the traffic this would bring. Other concerns were about
how the proposed development would impact drainage, and if the property was being developed to convert to a
short-term rental. In staff’s conversation with the property owner, he indicated that these improvements were for
his own family’s enjoyment of the property. Approximately two responses within 200’ mailout were opposed to
the request, citing drainage concerns, traffic, and concern over this becoming a short-term rental. Two other
responses within the 200’ mailout were in favor of the request, with one other neutral response, all of which had
concerns about drainage on the site.
On February 25, 2021, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended APPROVAL (7-0) of
PD-184R2- SF-ED, subject to the following conditions:
1. There may be additional comments at the time of Building Permit and Detail Engineering Review.
2. Building permits shall be required for all proposed buildings, structures, paving and fences.
3. The City shall not be responsible for any repairs to the driveway for responding to calls at this address.
4. Gate to be equipped with GTT Opticom sensor for emergency apparatus to open the gate and Knox
override in the event of malfunction.
5. All new structures to be equipped with NFPA-13R fire sprinkler systems and shall provide complete
coverage including small rooms.
6. To allow the existing garage/carriage house as shown on the plans.
7. To allow for proposed accessory buildings to be taller than 12 feet in height, as shown on the plans.
8. To allow for accessory structures with a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom plumbing as shown on the plans.
9. The accessory units shall not be rented or leased out separately from the main house.
Legal Review:
This did not require city attorney review.
Fiscal Impact:
None
Recommendation:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended APPROVAL of the PD request subject to staff conditions
listed above.
Attachments:
1. PZ Staff Report
2. Site Package (Site Plan, Building Elevations, Color Board)