Council approves special-use permit for restaurant at 2243 Valwood Parkway

At a public hearing Feb. 17, the Farmers Branch City Council approved Ordinance No. 3985, authorizing a specific-use permit (SUP) to allow a restaurant at 2243 Valwood Parkway in Planned Development District No. 22.

Brian Campbell, a city planner, told council the existing building is currently used as an office and that the Farmers Branch 2045 plan designates the area as industrial. He said the proposed SUP is not consistent with the 2045 plans land-use recommendation but noted the applicant would exceed parking and landscaping requirements as shown on submitted plans. The planning and zoning commission had unanimously recommended approval at its Jan. 12 meeting, and staff received two letters in support between that hearing and the council meeting.

"This is an SUP request for a restaurant for the existing building located here at 2243 Valwood Parkway," Campbell said, noting that the applicant (Chris Sittler of Sittler Architecture) had also designated an adjacent site for a potential second restaurant that would require replatting and an amendment to the SUP.

Council members questioned traffic, sight-distance and whether a right-turn lane would be feasible given the railroad crossing immediately west of the site; staff said fire and public works had reviewed the proposal and did not anticipate issues but would revisit concerns if a second restaurant required an SUP amendment.

A public hearing was opened; no members of the public signed up to speak on the item. A council member moved to close the public hearing and later moved to approve Ordinance No. 3985; the motion passed unanimously.

Quote: "...the applicant is exceeding those requirements," Campbell said during his presentation about parking and landscaping.

Ending: Council approved the SUP and wished the applicants luck; staff will process any replat or SUP amendment if a second restaurant is pursued.