TOWN STAFF REPORT RECCOMENDATIONS
title
Conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Ordinance 967 approving proposed amendments to Ordinance 693, approving the zoning and concept plan for the PD1-3 zoning district (Granada), to construct a guard house at the main entry gate; and take appropriate action
body
STAFF: Ron Ruthven, Director of Development and Planning
Executive Summary (Including Applicable Organizational History)
The Granada Homeowner’s Association (HOA) is requesting an amendment to the Granada concept plan in order to allow for the construction of a guard house at the main entrance into the development on Granada Trail approximately 400 south of the intersection with Solana Boulevard and Cortes Drive. The guard house would be 304 square feet in size and be staffed with security personnel.
Existing Conditions and Zoning
The Granada development is currently gated with private streets, which are maintained by the HOA. The development is currently served by three entrances: (1) the main entrance on Granada Trail, (2) an emergency access only entrance on Dove Road, and (3) a temporary construction entrance on Solana Boulevard. The main gate on Granada Trail currently operates automatically using a remote-control system. Only 5% of the total residential lots in the Granada development remain vacant and, therefore, the temporary construction entrance, which was approved administratively, must be closed by the end of 2023 barring further amendment to the zoning and concept plan.
The Granada development was approved by Ordinance 693 <https://weblink.westlake-tx.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=5040&dbid=0&repo=WESTLAKE> in 2013. Exhibit 2, of Ordinance 693 includes the approved concept plan for the development. A guard house was not proposed by the developer of Granada at the time the zoning was approved and was, therefore, not shown on the concept plan. However, any change to the concept plan requires an amendment to Ordinance 693.
Proposal Details
According to the attached letter provided by the applicant, they are requesting to “allow for the addition of a manned guard house for the Granada development. The site is approximately 1.5 acres in the median along Granada Trail, north of Solana Blvd. As part of the Granada Development, there is an existing median located along Granada Trail that we are intending to alter to construct a guard shack and the associated parking spots. There will be two entry armed gates to allow for emergency bypass as well as a refuse turn around located before the guard shack. One ADA and one standard parking space will be added to allow the shack to be manned at all times.”
The guard house will be composed of masonry material and the attached designs have been approved by the Granada Architectural Control Committee (ACC). Landscaping will be added to the entry area around the guard house per the attached landscape plans. Granada Trail is private beginning at Solana Boulevard and the proposed guard house and improvements will be located completely on HOA property and maintained by the HOA.
Summary and Recommendation
The proposed guard house requires an amendment to the Granada concept plan. The guard house design has been approved by the Granada ACC and has been reviewed by the Town development review committee for compliance with applicable Town ordinances. Based on these conditions, staff recommends approval of the concept plan amendment as proposed subject to the following recommendations contained in Ordinance 967:
1. That Article 5, Exhibit 2, Concept Plans is hereby amended to allow for the construction and operation of a guard house at the main entrance to the development on Granada Trail as shown in Exhibit “A”;
2. The guard house design, layout, landscaping and all associated improvements shall be constructed and installed as a single phase and shall be consistent with Exhibit “A”. Minor adjustments to site conditions and improvements may be approved by the town manager or their designee on a case-by-case basis;
3. The proposed guardhouse shall comply with the Town’s outdoor lighting requirements;
4. Construction and operation of the guardhouse, and all associated improvements, shall comply with all Town ordinances and any conditions contained within separate agreements between the Town and the developer/homeowner’s association and their assigns, except as approved and amended herein.
Council Action/Options
• Approve the proposed Ordinance;
• Approve the Ordinance with conditions/modifications;
• Deny the proposed Ordinance;
• Table the item(s).
Planning and Zoning Recommendation
The Planning and Zoning considered this item on March 21, 2023. Staff will provide an update at the March 27th meeting concerning the Commission’s vote regarding the item.
FISCAL/SERVICE LEVEL IMPACT TO COMMUNITY
Project Cost/Funding Amount: $0.00 Funding Source: N/A
Contract: No Forms: N/A
Attachments
1. Location Map
2. Approved Granada Concept Plan
3. Applicant’s Narrative
4. Ordinance 967
5. Ordinance 967 - Exhibit A (containing guard house plans and designs)