To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Alexis Russell, Planner II
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider a request for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for The Ship Shop, a packing and shipping retail store with truck and trailer rental, to be located in an existing 2,600 square-foot building on 5.99 acres, on the east side of N. Main Street, approximately 1036 feet northeast of the N. Main Street and Johnson Road intersection, legally described as Lot 1B, Block A, of the Samantha Springs Addition, zoned Light Industrial, and addressed 712 N. Main Street. Joe McCombs, Owner. David Sanders, Applicant. (SUP-2505-0021).
Body
Background:
The Ship Shop, currently operating in Trophy Club, is looking to bring its business back to Keller. The Ship Shop offers packing and shipping supplies and U-Haul truck and trailer rental.
In the Light Industrial (LI) Zoning District, an SUP is required for truck rental or leasing.
Site Design:
The Applicant is proposing to operate out of an existing 2,600 square-foot building on the northwest corner of 712 N. Main St.
The parking requirement for “bus or truck repair, parking, storage area, or garage” use is one space per 500 square feet of floor area, with a minimum of 5 spaces, bringing the total number of spaces needed to 6 plus the 1 required accessible space. There is an existing parking area to the southwest of the lease space. The approved site plan for Samantha Springs shows 43 parking spaces.
Business Details:
The hours of operation are 8:00am-7:00pm Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am-4:00pm on Sunday.
Along with packing and shipping supplies, the Ship Shop offers a variety of cargo vans, box trucks, and open trailer rentals. Details regarding size and number of trucks and trailers that will be available are detailed in the Applicant’s narrative letter.
The UDC defines a truck as “a light or heavy load vehicle.” Most of the trucks offered by the Ship Shop will be heavy load vehicles.
The UDC defines a Heavy Load Vehicle as “any other self-propelled vehicle having a manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of greater than eleven thousand (11,000) pounds, such as tractor-trailers, buses, box vans, and other similar vehicles; or any towed vehicle with a manufacturer's Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (MLTW) greater than eleven thousand (11,000) pounds or more than two (2) axles, such as flatbed trailers, utility trailers, and cargo trailers.”
This use would also be considered outside storage, which the UDC defines as “the keeping, displaying, or storing, outside a building, of any goods, material, merchandise, or equipment on a lot or tract for more than 24 hours.” No outside storage is permitted unless approved by a SUP in the Light Industrial zoning district.
Summary:
Section 8.02 (F)(2) of the UDC states that when considering an SUP request, the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council 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 June 26, 2025 the City mailed out 15 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.
SUP Request:
1. To operate a truck rental or leasing business in the Light Industrial zoning district.
2. To allow outside storage in the Light Industrial zoning district.
Planning and Zoning Alternatives:
The Planning and Zoning Commission has the following options when considering Specific Use Permits:
§ 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 August 5, 2025.