To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Alexis Russell, Planner I
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider a request for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) with variances, for an approximately 3,000 square-foot garage, on approximately 4.54 acres, on the west side of Mount Gilead Road, approximately 700 feet north from the Bancroft Road and Mount Gilead Road intersection, legally described as Tract 11C and 11D, Abstract 141 of the Daniel Barcroft Survey, zoned Single-Family 36,000 square-foot lot size or greater (SF-36) and addressed 1131 Bancroft Road and 1432 Mount Gilead Road. Gary Grundman, Owner/Applicant. (SUP-2502-0010)
BODY
Background:
The property was annexed in 1983. The property has never been platted.
The Applicant requests a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to construct an approximately 3,000 square-foot garage to be used as a hobby workshop and for storing his personal vehicles.
There are two SUP triggers for this proposed structure:
1. An SUP for exceeding 1,200 square-feet for any accessory structure in the SF-36 zoning district.
2. An SUP to allow the total square-footage of all accessory structures on the property to exceed 50% of the square-footage of the existing home.
The Applicant is also requesting a variance to encroach the rear setback of the property by 10 feet, and a variance to allow for more than 2 accessory structures on the lot.
Site Design:
The subject site is currently two lots that the Applicant intends to plat into one lot. The Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) lists both lots as part of one 4.54-acre property. Neither lot has ever been platted. The Applicant will be required to plat both lots before he can receive a building permit for this proposed structure.
The proposed site plan calls for the structure to sit southwest of the existing home, on the lot currently designated 1131 Bancroft Road. The structure will be located approximately 5 feet east from the west property line, which will encroach the rear setback by 10 feet.
The Applicant intends to extend the existing driveway to access the proposed structure.
UDC Section 8.04 (2)(g)(2) restricts the maximum square footage of a detached accessory building in SF-36 to 1,200 square feet unless approved by a SUP. The Applicant is requesting a 3,000 square-foot structure.
• Proposed garage: 80x30 (2,400 square-feet)
• Proposed covered patio: 12x50 (600 square-feet)
Elevations:
The proposed structure will be composed of metal. Two garage doors will be located on the eastern elevation for vehicular access, along with a covered patio. The average height of the structure will be 13 feet at roof ridge, which will meet the UDC maximum average height allowed by right.
Existing structures:
According to the Applicant and the Tarrant Appraisal District, the main home was built in 1966 and is approximately 3,684 square-feet.
There are multiple existing detached accessory structures on the 4.54-acre property. The following measurements are approximated from the site plan that was provided by the Applicant, and are listed from south to north on the property:
1. Well shed (8x8 and 3x4 = 76 square-feet)
2. Animal shelter and feed shed (13x14 = 182 square-feet)
3. Garage (72x28 = 2,016 square-feet)
4. Shed (12x16 = 192 square-feet)
5. Barn with attached shed (14x32 and 10x13 = 578 square-feet)
6. Animal care structure A (11x12 = 132 square-feet)
7. Animal care structure B (14x13 = 182 square-feet)
8. Animal care structure C (16x14 = 224 square-feet)
The UDC limits the number of accessory structures per single-family lot to two. Structures for agricultural purposes only, that are 120 square-feet or less, are excluded from this maximum. However, none of these structures meet that requirement. Which brings the total number of existing accessory structures on the property to eight, and the total square-footage to approximately 3,582 square-feet.
The Applicant is requesting a variance to allow for a ninth accessory structure on the property (the proposed garage).
The UDC also states that the combined area of all accessory buildings on a lot shall be less than 50% of the main structure, unless approved by a SUP. The square-footage of the proposed garage is more than 50% of the main structure.
Variances requested:
The Applicant requests two variances with this SUP request:
1. A variance to encroach the rear setback by 10 feet.
2. A variance to allow for more than 2 accessory structures on the property.
Summary:
Section 8.02 (F)(2) of the UDC states that when considering a SUP request, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider the following factors:
1) The use is harmonious and compatible with surrounding existing uses or proposed uses;
2) The activities requested by the applicant are normally associated with the permitted uses in the base district;
3) The nature of the use is reasonable and appropriate in the immediate area;
4) Any negative impact on the surrounding area has been mitigated; and
5) That any additional conditions specified ensure that the intent of the district purposes are being upheld.
Citizen Input:
On March 27, 2025, the City mailed out 19 letters of notification for this Public Hearing to all property owners within three-hundred feet (300’) of the subject site. A public hearing notice sign was posted on the site.
Staff has received no letters of support or opposition in response to this SUP request.
Alternatives:
The Planning and Zoning Commission has the following options when considering a Specific Use Permit:
• Recommend approval as submitted.
• Recommend approval with modified or additional condition(s).
• Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose.
• Recommend denial.
City Council Action:
If the Planning and Zoning Commission takes action and makes a recommendation on this agenda item, then this Specific Use Permit application will be scheduled for City Council action on May 6, 2025.