To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Katasha Smithers, Planner
Subject:
Title
Consider a recommendation of a site plan amendment with one variance for The Hills Church, situated on 5.4 acres, located on the north side of Florence Road, approximately 350-feet west of Randol Mill Avenue (Davis Blvd) and Florence Road, being Lot 1R, Block A, Anchor Church Addition, at 2525 Florence Road, and zoned Single-Family 36,000 square-foot minimum lots (SF-36). The Hills Church, Owner/Applicant. (SP-21-0007)
Background:
The site was developed as a Church in 1999 and has since remained a church operation.
The Owner, The Hills Church purchased the property in late 2020 and wishes to update the site for their expanding Church. One of the updates includes the landscaping of the entire property. The Church provided all the proper landscaping inside the landscape buffers and will be updating the dead landscaping with fresh vegetation within the property. Currently, there are two islands that are narrow and have existing light poles. The Church is requesting to place the two trees within the entrances of the Churches property in lieu of the two islands.
Landscaping:
The Church is requesting a variance within two landscape islands. Per section 8.08 (3) (f) of the Unified Development Code (UDC), states that one three-inch large canopy is required within an end island. The islands contains site lighting within the middle of the islands. If the tree were to be planted within these two islands, it would obstruct the existing lighting. Additionally, the islands are too narrow to accommodate the maturing large canopy tree.
The Church is proposing to plant the two large canopy trees, one within each drive entrance along Florence Road. (See Exhibit A.)
Variances Requested:
1. Allow the two large canopy trees to be located within the drive entrances instead of the two landscape islands.
Summary:
Section 2.07(A)(2) of the UDC lists criteria for approval of a variance, the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council shall consider the following factors:
a. That there are special circumstances or conditions affecting the land involved such that the strict application of the provisions of this Code would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of his land.
b. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or injurious to other properties in the area.
c. That the granting of the variance will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of other lands in the area in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
d. That the granting of the variance will not constitute a violation of any other valid ordinance of the City of Keller.
e. That strict compliance with the regulations, and/or that the purpose of the regulations will be served to a greater extent by the alternative proposal.
Citizen Input:
A Site Plan application, even with variances, does not require a public hearing, so no public hearing notifications were sent out to the surrounding property owners for this request. The public will have an opportunity to speak on this agenda item at the “Persons To Be Heard”.
Alternatives:
The Planning and Zoning Commission has the following options when considering a Site Plan with variances:
§ Recommend approval as submitted (with requested variances).
§ 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 Site Plan application will be scheduled for City Council action on June 1, 2021.
Supporting Documents:
§ Aerial and Zoning Maps
§ Exhibit A - Site Plan and Landscape plan