P&Z considers zoning several more distribution centers

During its regular Jan. 07, 2021 meeting, the Forney Planning & Zoning Commission met to consider zoning requests for LI, plats for distribution centers. (watch official video)

• Elected Ms. Holler as Vice-Chairperson.
  
• Held Public Hearings -
  • Approved an Ordinance rezoning 113.878 acres of land from Agricultural District to Planned Development District with a base zoning of Light Industrial District w/ stipulation that sound study recommendations are followed. The property is located west of Helms Trail and north of Plantation Ridge.
        Mr. Morgan said the 113 acres are vacant, E. of Bluejay PD, NE of a family subdivision.  Two buildings, 1.272 million sq ft and 645,840 sq ft, each has its own parking. Design similar to nearby projects: Goodyear, Amazon. Max height is 60', Open storage is permitted. A screening wall is required, PD shows 6' wall, but exhibit shows 12' wall. Sound study recommends 12-14 ft, staff recommends a motion specify wall height. Has access to Akron way, TIA was reviewed by city engineer. Notices were provided according to state law: in Messenger, and all city tax payers within 200ft. Received no comments to notices, but one person registered to speak.
        Mr. Bernal was registered to speak, but did not join the meeting.
        City Attorney Mr. Thatcher said anyone who wants to speak during the virtual meeting had to pre-register, and as there are no other citizens registered, no need to call for any more public input.
        Mr. Bingham asked about the wall - Mr. Morgan said study shows 12 ft wall with part 14 ft.  Mr. Johnathon Stites thanked staff for working with them, and for the two successful projects they have done for Amazon. They have active prospects to fit some of the site. They commission sound studies on all projects, want to be good neighbors, they will comply with sound study recommendations.
    
  • Approved an Ordinance rezoning 43.615 acres of land from Agricultural District to Planned Development District with a base zoning of Light Industrial District with stipulations of corrected language and CUP requirement. The property is located at the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 80 and S. Gateway Boulevard.
        Mr. Morgan said this is vacant, E. of S. Gateway Blvd, N. of Akron Way; Goodyear is to West, DDX7 is to S.  This is to be distribution center, and making products on demand; the PD shows manufacturing as a CUP. Building is 621k sq ft. Uses are similar to adjacent projects, building height 60'. This is not adjacent to residential, so no sound study. Screening section has an incomplete sentence, a motion should include amended language. Has access to Akron and Gateway.
        There was no public input.
        Ms. Holler asked if there would be a fence.  Mr. Bill Dalstrom thanked staff, said he believes there will be a security fence. Mr. Dalstrom referred to the site plan - Mr. Morgan said the plan shows no screening, but as a PD request, the commission could add that. Mr. Dalstrom said they are not planning on having screening, and requested that not be required.
    
  • Approved an Ordinance zoning 47.16 acres of land to Planned Development District with a base zoning of Light Industrial District. The property is located south of U.S. Highway 80 and west of Co. Rd. 212.
        Mr. Morgan said this is in the ETJ, is W. of Goodyear, SE of Smurfit Kappa.  There is an annexation request, and a developer agreement which has been approved by council last month. This is distinct from previous items, as conditions are already approved. Staff has to make sure the zoning request matches with the development agreement. This would have 916k sq ft. building. No responses to public notices.
        There was no public input.
    
  • Approved an Ordinance zoning 39.16 acres of land to Light Industrial District. The property includes Kaufman County Appraisal District Parcels 7814, 7815,7817, and 7818.
        Mr. Morgan said 14 acres are in city as AG, 25 are in ETJ.  W. of CR 212, Adjacent to Gateway Parks subdivision, Amazon FTW5 is E. This will provide 800k sq ft of warehouse and distribution uses "delivered in multiple phases." This also has an approved development agreement - distribution center is an approved use. Maximum building height is 50'. Commercial trucks not allowed to park or stack on CR 212. Staff found this request matches agreement. Received no responses to public notice.
        There was no public input.
        Mr. Helm asked how the staging requirement would be enforced - Mr. Morgan said FPD would enforce it, that section of road is in city limits.

• Approved a preliminary plat for the Seefried Addition, located west of Helms Trail and north of Plantation Ridge.
      Mr. Morgan said this is for the 1st public hearing item - plat complies with requirements, 2 lots, 113.9 acres.
  
• Approved a site plan for the Seefried Addition with stipulation about sound study recommendations, located west of Helms Trail and north of Plantation Ridge.
      Mr. Morgan said the plan shows two buildings: 1.27 million sq ft and 645k sq ft, each w/ access to Akron.  Buildings will be 50 ft high, motion should stipulate meeting sound study recommendations.
  
• Approved a preliminary plat for the Van Trust Gateway Industrial Addition, located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of S. Gateway Boulevard.
      Mr. Morgan said is the public hearing #2 item - plat is 43 acres, is compliant.
  
• Approved a site plan for the Van Trust Addition, located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of S. Gateway Boulevard.
      Mr. Morgan said plan is designed according PD regulations, 621k sq ft buildings will be about 50 ft high.  Plan does comply with zoning.
  
• Withdrawn: a preliminary plat for 212 Industrial Phase 1, located west of the intersection of S. Gateway Boulevard and County Road 212 in the City of Forney extra-territorial jurisdiction.
      Mr. Morgan said items 5 & 6 have been withdrawn by applicant.  Number 9 has also been withdrawn.
  
• Withdrawn: final plat for 212 Industrial Phase 1, located west of the intersection of S. Gateway Boulevard and County Road 212 in the City of Forney extra-territorial jurisdiction.
  
• Approved a preliminary plat for Dossett Addition, located northwest of the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 740 and County Road 209 in the City of Forney extra-territorial jurisdiction.
      Mr. Morgan said there are 4 lots on 31 acres, W. of Overland Grove and 740, meets subdivision requirements.  Part will be used for residential, some will remain vacant.
  
• Approved a preliminary plat for the Pinnacle Montessori - Heartland, located northeast of the F.M. 741 and Interstate Highway 20 intersection in the City of Forney extra-territorial jurisdiction.
      Mr. Morgan said this is in ETJ, N. of I-20, E of 741, one 4,9 acre lot, designed in accordance with subdivision regulations.
  
• Withdrawn: a revised site plan for Little Flock Baptist Church, located northeast of the intersection of E. Aimee Street and Chestnut Street.
  
• Adjourned Ended at 1910.