Agenda

AGENDA

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Garland
Council Chambers, City Hall
William E. Dollar Municipal Building
200 North Fifth Street
Garland, Texas
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
7:00 p.m.

The City Council extends to each visitor a sincere welcome. We value your interest in your community and your participation in the meetings of this governing body. Regular meetings of the City Council are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 7:00 p.m.; the City Council meets regularly in work sessions at 6:00 p.m. the Monday preceding each regular meeting.

Garland City Hall and Council Chambers is wheelchair accessible. Special parking is available on the east side of City Hall and on Austin & State Street west of City Hall. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids or services must contact the City Secretary’s Office at (972) 205-2404 at least two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. BRAILLE IS NOT AVAILABLE.

LEGISLATIVE PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

It is the custom and tradition of the members of the City Council to have an invocation and recital of the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the beginning of the meeting. Members of the audience are invited to participate. However, members of the audience are not required to participate. The decision to participate is strictly a matter of personal choice and has no bearing on matters to be considered by the City Council and will not affect the decisions to be made during the meeting.

MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS,
RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Mayor may present proclamations and recognize attendees or award winners, and may make announcements regarding upcoming City events and matters of interest to citizens. There will be no Council deliberations or votes on these matters.

CONSENT AGENDA

All items under this section are recommended for approval by a single motion of Council, without discussion. Council has had the opportunity to review each of these items at a previous work session and approval of the consent agenda authorizes the City Manager to implement each item. The Mayor will announce the agenda and provide an opportunity for members of the audience and the City Council to request that an item be removed and considered separately.

Consider approval of the minutes of the July 19, 2022, Regular Meeting

Consider approval of the following bids:

GP&L College to Jupiter 138kV Transmission Line Rebuild Materials		Bid No. 0874-22

Techline, Inc.	$230,920.96

This request is for the purchase of materials needed for the rebuild of a portion of the GP&L distribution line that is associated with the College to Jupiter Transmission Line upgrade.

GP&L Compliance Documentation Software		Bid No. 0615-22

Archer Energy Solutions, LLC	$385,000.00

This request is for the implementation, maintenance and support of documentation compliance software for NERC, TRE and Railroad Commission compliance.

GP&L College to Jupiter 138kV Transmission Line Rebuild Steel Structures		Bid No. 0873-22

Techline, Inc.	$508,365.00

This request is for the purchase of 43 steel structures to be used for the rebuild of the GP&L distribution line associated with the College to Jupiter Transmission Line upgrade.

Sludge Hauling Services for Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant		Bid No. 0860-22

FCC Environmental Services Texas, LLC	$111,800.00

This request is to provide sludge hauling services for the Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant on an as-needed basis. This approval is for a Term Agreement with four optional renewals.

Hollabaugh Recreation Center Construction Services		Bid No. 1130-20

Core Construction	$2,518,643.00

This request is for the purchase of materials for the upcoming renovations at Hollabaugh Recreation Center.

Fire Station No. 6 Construction Services		Bid No. 0736-22

Construction Zone of DFW, LLC	$9,450,000.00

This request is to obtain general construction services to rebuild Fire Station No. 6, which is relocating from Holford Road to President George Bush Turnpike and Campbell Road.

Gatewood Pavilion and Parking Lot Construction Services		Bid No. 0737-22

Gliden Industries, LLC	$936,650.00

This request is to obtain general construction services for improvements to Gatewood Pavilion located along the Duck Creek Greenbelt.

Toughbook Computers for Fire		Bid No. 1000-22

GTS Technology Solutions	$174,342.35

This request is for the replacement of 35 Toughbook computers for the Fire Department mobile workstations that have reached their end-of-life.

Business Identity Platform		Bid No. 1005-22

Carahsoft Technology, Corp.	$67,620.00

This request is for the purchase of the PaymentWorks Government Edition software platform to better combat fraud associated with ACH payments.

A public hearing was previously conducted for the following zoning case. Council approved the request and instructed staff to bring forth the following ordinance for consideration.

Zoning File No. Z 22-24, Spiars Engineering (District 1)

Consider an ordinance amending the Garland Development Code of the City of Garland, Texas, by approving 1) an amendment to Planned Development (PD) District 18-33 and 2) a Detail Plan for Multi-Family development on a 13.831-acre tract of land located at 2698 North President George Bush Turnpike; providing for conditions, restrictions, and regulations; providing a penalty under the provisions of Sec. 10.05 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Garland, Texas; providing a Notice of Conditions of Compliance Clause; providing a Savings Clause and a Severability Clause; and providing an effective date.

Consider by minute action the approval of one purchase agreement negotiated with the property owner in the amount of $210,000.

Council has been briefed on previous occasions on the plans for reconstructing Holford Road Segment A (PGBT to City Limits). It is currently a two-lane asphalt street and being reconstructed as a divided concrete street with curbs, dedicated bike lanes and trails. The reconstruction requires additional land/property rights and Staff has been working with consultants to acquire the necessary property interests. One additional purchase agreement has been successfully negotiated with a property owner for the acquisition of easement on multiple parcels needed to move forward with the project.

Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 31, "Engineering" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Garland, Texas, to ensure the City remains in compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community Rating System; amending multiple provisions; providing a Savings Clause; providing a penalty under the provisions of Section 10.05 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Garland, Texas; providing a Severability Clause; and setting an effective date.

At the July 18, 2022 Work Session, Council considered authorizing the proposed amendments to Chapter 31, Article VII Flood Damage Prevention, Section 31.104 of the Code of Ordinances.

Consider an ordinance amending Section 24.44, "Civil Penalty," located within Chapter 24, Article III, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Garland, Texas; and Section 32.57, "Oversized and Other Vehicle Restrictions in Residential Zones," located within Chapter 32, Article II, Division I, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Garland, Texas; providing a Savings Clause; providing a penalty under the provisions of Section 10.05 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Garland, Texas; providing a Severability Clause; and setting an effective date

This item was recommended by the Public Safety Committee and was discussed by Council at the July 18th Work Session.

Neighborhood Vitality Matching Grant Spring 2022 Applications

At the July 18, 2022 Work Session, Council considered the Rustic Oaks Estates HOA matching grant application as submitted.

Consider a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2023 Generation Budget of TMPA Pursuant to the Joint Operating Agreement between Texas Municipal Power Agency and City of Bryan, Texas, City of Denton, Texas, City of Garland, Texas and City of Greenville, Texas

The TMPA Joint Operating Agreement contains a requirement of Member City approval for budget increases for a TMPA business function that exceed 20% from the prior fiscal year. As a result of planned legal expenses associated with decommissioning oversight activities, TMPA’s fiscal year 2023 budget for its Generation Business will increase by more than 20% from its fiscal year 2022 budget. For the Council’s consideration is a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2023 TMPA Generation Budget.

ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION

Speaker Regulations:

Anyone wishing to speak for, against, or on agenda items must fill out a speaker card and give it to the City Secretary before speaking (cards are located at the entrance to the Council Chambers). The Mayor will recognize speakers; he may impose a time limit and may provide for rebuttal. All comments and testimony are to be presented from the podium.

Presentation of the 2022-23 Proposed Budget

In accordance with the City Charter and state law, the City Manager shall submit to the City Council a Proposed Budget for the coming fiscal year. The City Manager will formally present his Proposed Budget for FY 2022-23. Following the presentation to Council, copies of the Proposed Budget will be placed in each City Library, in the Office of the City Secretary, and on the City's website for public review and inspection.

10.

Submission of Appraisal Roll and Rates for FY 2021-2022

The City Council is being provided the attached tax rates, notice and appraisal certifications as required by law. Council is requested to provide a proposed tax rate and hearing dates in accordance with state law. Motions containing the public hearing dates and tax rates are attached.

11.

Hold public hearings on:

Consider a Specific Use Provision request by Khoa Tran to operate a tattoo shop in an existing tenant space. The site is located at 1238 Belt Line Road, Suite 361 in District 8.

Consideration of the application of Khoa Tran, requesting approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District. This property is located at 1238 Belt Line Road, Suite 361. (File Z 22-06, District 8)

Consider a Site Plan request by Khoa Tran to operate a tattoo shop in an existing tenant space. The site is located at 1238 Belt Line Road, Suite 361 in District 8.

Consideration of the application of Khoa Tran, requesting approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District. This property is located at 1238 Belt Line Road, Suite 361. (File Z 22-06, District 8)

Consider a Major Waiver request to the Downtown Sign Standards by Jimmy Wallace Guitars to allow a guitar-shaped projecting sign and a wall sign. The site is located at 514 Main Street in District 2.

Consideration of the application of Jimmy Wallace Guitars, requesting approval of 1) a Major Waiver to Chapter 7, Table 7-7 of the Garland Development Code and 2) a Downtown Development Plan to allow the addition of a Projecting Sign and a Wall Sign on a property zoned Downtown (DT) District, Downtown Square (DS) sub-district. This property is located at 514 Main Street. (File DD 22-01, District 2)

12.

Consider appointments to Boards and Commissions.

Board members are selected for two-year terms by the City Council in August. Terms are usually staggered whereby at least half of the membership has board experience. Board members are appointed based on qualifications.

Council Member Jeff Bass

James VanDyke - Board of Adjustment
Merrill Balanciere - Community Multicultural Commission
James Dobbins - Environmental & Community Advisory Board
Charles Msewe - Library Board
Bobby Bradley - Parks and Recreation
Eric Scholl - Property Standards Board
Carol Cooper - Senior Citizens Advisory Board
Bill Swisher - Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board

13.

Citizen comments.

Persons wishing to address issues not on the agenda may have three minutes to address Council at this time. Council is prohibited from discussing any item not posted according to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

14.

Adjourn.

All Regular Council meetings are broadcast live on CGTV, Time Warner Cable Channel 16, and Frontier FIOS TV 44. Meetings are rebroadcast at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday-Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Live streaming and on-demand videos of the meetings are also available online at www.garlandtx.gov. Copies of the meetings can be purchased through the City Secretary’s Office – audio CD’s are $1 each and DVD’s are $3 each.

GARLAND
PURCHASING REPORT


City Council Regular Session Agenda		Agenda Item 2.f.
Meeting Date:	08/02/2022
Item Title:	Fire Station No. 6 Construction Services
Submitted By:	Laura Dunn, Capital Project Management Director
Bid Number:	0736-22

Purchase Justification:

This request is to obtain general construction services to rebuild Fire Station No. 6, which is relocating from Holford Road to President George Bush Turnpike and Campbell Road. The new 12,000 square-foot facility will include key features such as three apparatus bays and support areas, living quarters with a kitchen/day room, individual sleeping quarters, a fitness center, and a storm shelter. This project is part of the 2019 Bond Program and approved in the 2022 CIP.

Evaluation:

A Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (CSP) was issued in accordance with Purchasing procedures. Nine (9) proposals were received and evaluated based on the published criteria. Construction Zone of DFW, LLC, received the highest evaluated score, offering the Best Value for the City.

Award Recommendation:

*Vendor*	Item	Amount
Construction Zone of DFW, LLC	All	$9,450,000.00


	TOTAL:	-------------------------------------- $9,450,000.00

Basis for Award:	Best Value
Purchase Requisition #:	47669

Fiscal Impact

Total Project/Account:

$6,803,000

Expended/Encumbered to Date:

1,382,414

Balance:

$5,420,586

This Item:

9,450,000

Proposed Balance:

($4,029,414) *

Account #:

652-1429-1210419-9002; 692-1429-1210400-9002; 220-4049-3019200-9214

Fund/Dept/Project – Description and Comments:

Fire Station No. 6 Construction Services

Public Safety CIP / Relocate Fire Station No. 6	$9,250,000
Water CIP / Relocation of Mains Prior to Paving	200,000
Total	$9,450,000

* Fiscal Impact:

Fire Station No. 6 construction will continue into 2023, and an additional $4,683,000 of 2019 Bond funding is included in the CIP for continuation of this project in 2023.
In 2023, Fire Station No. 6 will require $1,005,000 of the Public Safety inflation reserve approved as part of 2022 CIP Budget Amendment No. 1 (Attachment B) on June 21, 2022, for the continuation of the project.
Finally, on the August 1, 2022, Work Session agenda, City Council received a written briefing on Fire Station No. 6. An additional $755,000 is anticipated to be required for the completion of the project and will be requested in the 2023 Proposed CIP.
The total project cost is proposed to increase $1,760,000 since the 2022 Adopted CIP.

Attachments
Bid Recap 1 of 2
Bid Recap 2 of 2

Fiscal Reference:
Budget Type:	CIP
Fiscal Year:	2022
Document Location:	Prop. CIP - Pages 166 and 244

Budget Director Approval:	Allyson Bell Steadman	Approval Date:	07/22/2022
Purchasing Director Approval:	Gary L. Holcomb	Approval Date:	07/21/2022

GARLAND
PLANNING REPORT


City Council Regular Session Agenda		Agenda Item 11.a.
Meeting Date:	08/02/2022
Item Title:	Z 22-06 Khoa Tran - Specific Use Provision (District 8)
Submitted By:	Nabiha Ahmed, Lead Development Planner

REQUEST
Approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. Approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District. LOCATION 1238 Belt Line Road, Suite 361
OWNER
Virani Investments, LLC.
PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On July 11, 2022 the Plan Commission, by a vote of nine (9) to zero (0), recommended approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. The Plan Commission, by a vote of nine (9) to zero (0), also recommended approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. Approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District.
BACKGROUND
The subject property is currently developed with a 67,509 square-foot shopping center. The applicant proposes to use a tenant space to operate a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment.
SITE DATA
The overall site is approximately 3.98 acres and the property can be accessed from Belt Line Road and North Garland Avenue.
USE OF PROPERTY UNDER CURRENT ZONING
The subject property is zoned Community Retail (CR) District. The Community Retail (CR) District is intended to accommodate a variety of retail, service, and business establishments that may or may not be designed in a shopping center configuration. The district may be used as a transition district between lower intensity retail or office uses and more intense uses. A Community Retail (CR) District is generally appropriate along major transportation corridors but is generally not appropriate in proximity to low-density residential districts without significant buffering and screening features. An example of allowed use in a Community Retail (CR) District is a retail shopping area that may be large in scale with very limited or no outside storage. Traffic generated by uses in a Community Retail (CR) District must be focused onto the major thoroughfare network. Development in a Community Retail (CR) District may not be designed in a manner that increases traffic through residential areas.
CONSIDERATIONS
The applicant proposes to use a 1,120 square-foot tenant space to operate a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. The GDC requires approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment in the Community Retail (CR) District. The applicant has also indicated that appointments are required to obtain any service in order to control the occupancy. As per the GDC, Section 2.52 (A)(6), tattooing/body piercing establishments may not be located within five hundred (500) feet of any residence or residential subdivision, church or place of worship, public or private school, public park, public hospital, child care center, senior living facility, or other tattooing/body piercing establishment. The measurement of the distance between the establishment and a residence, church or place of worship, public or private school, park or public hospital shall be along the property lines of the street fronts and from front door to front door, and in direct line across intersections. The properties to the south are residential and the measurement along the property lines is approximately 1,407 feet; therefore, it meets GDC requirements. However, it should be noted the direct measurement from the proposed location for the tattoo shop to the residential properties to the south is approximately 70 feet. The existing church, across Belt Line Road, is nearly 503 feet away from the proposed tattoo shop. The site plan (Exhibit C) meets the GDC parking requirement. Neither a building expansion nor a parking lot expansion is being proposed with this request. However, landscaping currently exists on the site. No deviations have been requested for signage. Therefore, signage will meet the GDC requirements. The applicant requests the Specific Use Provision to be in effect for ten (10) years, which aligns with the SUP Time Period Guide.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Envision Garland Plan designates the subject property as Neighborhood Centers. Neighborhood centers provide a mix of retail, services and community gathering places. This center should be appropriately scaled to adjacent residential areas. This type of center is predominantly, but not exclusively, non-residential. Neighborhood centers are served by local roads and transit routes. The proposed use aligns with the Neighborhood Centers designation.
COMPATIBILITY OF REQUEST WITH SURROUNDING ZONING AND LAND USES
The properties to the south are zoned Single-Family-10 (SF-10) District and are developed with single-family homes. The properties to the north, across Belt Line Road, are zoned Community Retail (CR) District and are developed with retail uses. The properties to the east and west are zoned Community Retail (CR) District; these properties are developed with multi-tenant retail buildings. The subject property is within a shopping center with shared access and parking spaces.

Attachments
Z 22-06 Khoa Tran Attachments (Specific Use Provision)
Z 22-06 Khoa Tran Responses
Z 22-06 Khoa Tran Staff Presentation

GARLAND
PLANNING REPORT


City Council Regular Session Agenda		Agenda Item 11.b.
Meeting Date:	08/02/2022
Item Title:	Z 22-06 Khoa Tran - Plan (District 8)
Submitted By:	Nabiha Ahmed, Lead Development Planner

REQUEST
Approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. Approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District. LOCATION 1238 Belt Line Road, Suite 361
OWNER
Virani Investments, LLC.
PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On July 11, 2022 the Plan Commission, by a vote of nine (9) to zero (0), recommended approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. The Plan Commission, by a vote of nine (9) to zero (0), also recommended approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. Approval of a Plan for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment on a property zoned Community Retail (CR) District.
BACKGROUND
The subject property is currently developed with a 67,509 square-foot shopping center. The applicant proposes to use a tenant space to operate a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment.
SITE DATA
The overall site is approximately 3.98 acres and the property can be accessed from Belt Line Road and North Garland Avenue.
USE OF PROPERTY UNDER CURRENT ZONING
The subject property is zoned Community Retail (CR) District. The Community Retail (CR) District is intended to accommodate a variety of retail, service, and business establishments that may or may not be designed in a shopping center configuration. The district may be used as a transition district between lower intensity retail or office uses and more intense uses. A Community Retail (CR) District is generally appropriate along major transportation corridors but is generally not appropriate in proximity to low-density residential districts without significant buffering and screening features. An example of allowed use in a Community Retail (CR) District is a retail shopping area that may be large in scale with very limited or no outside storage. Traffic generated by uses in a Community Retail (CR) District must be focused onto the major thoroughfare network. Development in a Community Retail (CR) District may not be designed in a manner that increases traffic through residential areas.
CONSIDERATIONS
The applicant proposes to use a 1,120 square-foot tenant space to operate a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment. The GDC requires approval of a Specific Use Provision for a Tattooing/Body Piercing Establishment in the Community Retail (CR) District. The applicant has also indicated that appointments are required to obtain any service in order to control the occupancy. As per the GDC, Section 2.52 (A)(6), tattooing/body piercing establishments may not be located within five hundred (500) feet of any residence or residential subdivision, church or place of worship, public or private school, public park, public hospital, child care center, senior living facility, or other tattooing/body piercing establishment. The measurement of the distance between the establishment and a residence, church or place of worship, public or private school, park or public hospital shall be along the property lines of the street fronts and from front door to front door, and in direct line across intersections. The properties to the south are residential and the measurement along the property lines is approximately 1,407 feet; therefore, it meets GDC requirements. However, it should be noted the direct measurement from the proposed location for the tattoo shop to the residential properties to the south is approximately 70 feet. The existing church, across Belt Line Road, is nearly 503 feet away from the proposed tattoo shop. The site plan (Exhibit C) meets the GDC parking requirement. Neither a building expansion nor a parking lot expansion is being proposed with this request. However, landscaping currently exists on the site. No deviations have been requested for signage. Therefore, signage will meet the GDC requirements. The applicant requests the Specific Use Provision to be in effect for ten (10) years, which aligns with the SUP Time Period Guide.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Envision Garland Plan designates the subject property as Neighborhood Centers. Neighborhood centers provide a mix of retail, services and community gathering places. This center should be appropriately scaled to adjacent residential areas. This type of center is predominantly, but not exclusively, non-residential. Neighborhood centers are served by local roads and transit routes. The proposed use aligns with the Neighborhood Centers designation.
COMPATIBILITY OF REQUEST WITH SURROUNDING ZONING AND LAND USES
The properties to the south are zoned Single-Family-10 (SF-10) District and are developed with single-family homes. The properties to the north, across Belt Line Road, are zoned Community Retail (CR) District and are developed with retail uses. The properties to the east and west are zoned Community Retail (CR) District; these properties are developed with multi-tenant retail buildings. The subject property is within a shopping center with shared access and parking spaces.

Attachments
Z 22-06 Khoa Tran Attachments (Plan)
Z 22-06 Khoa Tran Responses
Z 22-06 Khoa Tran Staff Presentation

GARLAND
PLANNING REPORT


City Council Regular Session Agenda		Agenda Item 11.c.
Meeting Date:	08/02/2022
Item Title:	DD 22-01 Jimmy Wallace Guitars (District 2)
Submitted By:	Will Guerin, Planning Director

REQUEST

Approval of 1) a Major Waiver to Chapter 7, Table 7-7 of the Garland Development Code and 2) a Downtown Development Plan to allow the addition of a Projecting Sign and a Wall Sign on a property zoned Downtown (DT) District, Downtown Square (DS) sub-district.

LOCATION
514 Main Street

OWNER

Southpaw Holdings, LLC

PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

On July 11, 2022 the Plan Commission, by a vote of nine (9) to zero (0), recommended approval of 1) a Major Waiver to Chapter 7, Table 7-7 of the Garland Development Code and 2) a Downtown Development Plan to allow the addition of a Projecting Sign and a Wall Sign on a property zoned Downtown (DT) District, Downtown Square (DS) sub-district.

In addition, the Plan Commission recommended conditions including the following: the signs shall be tied to a retail/music store use; the wall sign is approved at 66 square feet as presented; the projecting sign may protrude up to 10 feet above the roofline and increase up to 100 square feet; and movement on the projecting sign lighting is allowed.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

BACKGROUND

The building on the subject property is currently occupied by a retail guitar store. The applicant requests additional signage on the building, including a projecting sign and a wall sign. Due to the application’s deviation from particular GDC Downtown Signage standards found in Chapter 7, Table 7-7 including square footage and projecting height, a Major Waiver is required through the public hearing process in order for sign permits to be issued.

SITE DATA

The subject site contains approximately 0.09 acres. The site has approximately 33 lineal feet of frontage along Main Street. Its rear frontage is along an existing alley.

USE OF PROPERTY UNDER CURRENT ZONING

The property is zoned within the Downtown Square (DS) Sub-district of the overall Downtown (DT) District. The Downtown Square (DS) Sub-district allows a variety of mixed uses. The current use of the property [retail guitar shop] is allowed by right. The public hearing Major Waiver process is triggered due to the increased signage requests.

CONSIDERATIONS

Projecting Sign: Proposed is a 37.5 square-foot projecting sign, which complies with the GDC-required 60 square-foot maximum. However, the projecting sign is 6.5 feet wide whereas the required maximum amount is 5 feet. In addition, the projecting sign projects approximately 3 feet above roofline. The GDC states it may not exceed 2/3 of the building face height.

Wall Sign: Proposed is 66.1 square feet. The requirement is 30 square feet maximum when more than 12 feet above grade.

The following table summarizes the request:

Development Standard	Required	Proposed
Projecting Sign	5 foot width May not exceed 2/3 of building face height	6.5 foot width Protrudes 3 feet above roofline.
Wall Sign	30 square feet maximum when more than 12 feet above grade.	Approximately 66 square feet

The proposed signs will be lighted including with neon and LED lighting. Canopy signage currently exists and will remain.
The applicant states, “We believe that our signage will make a positive impact historically and serve as a visual anchor for the south side of the downtown square. The signs' retro design styling will be a complement to the historic Plaza Theater neon signs already in place on the north side of the square. In addition, our signage will serve as a unique, iconic landmark and a highly visible artistic contribution to the City of Garland’s vision to energize their downtown core. Knowing our current international customer base, we believe our signage will assist in attracting tourism from all over the world. Specifically, our clientele using this signage as a subject of interest on all social media platforms will increase awareness of all that Garland’s downtown culture has to offer. We are excited for the future of our city and believe these signs, as an expression of our ongoing participation, will be a worthy contribution to the restoration and resurgence of the Garland square.”
The intent of the Downtown (DT) District is to create a pedestrian-oriented area in context with the current Downtown. The Downtown (DT) District combines minimum and maximum specifications and standards for site layout, building design, and streetscape. One of the flexibility mechanisms in the Downtown (DT) District is the option of Major Waivers, which allow relief from the standards of the District.

Section 7.30(C) of the GDC states that Major Waivers are material and substantial changes to the design standards in the DT District, or changes which may initially appear to be in conflict with the goals and intent of this district, including possible standards changes to land uses in the Downtown sub-districts. Major Waivers may be approved by the City Council, following a recommendation by the Planning Director and the Plan Commission. In order to approve a Major Waiver, the City Council findings are listed as follows:

Meets the general intent of this district; and
Will result in an improved project which will be an attractive contribution to the Downtown District.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Future Land Use Map of the Envision Garland Plan recommends Community Centers for the subject property. Community centers are areas with compact development, primarily non-residential, serving a collection of neighborhoods. This type of development consists of a mix of uses, including retail, services, office use, multi-family residential, and entertainment. Community centers may be developed at the intersections of major arterial streets and along major arterials, highways, and turnpike corridors. This type of area is served by numerous roads and transit routes, providing a variety of connections to adjacent residential neighborhoods, retail centers, and employment centers.

In addition, the Garland Cultural Arts Master Plan Strategy 5.1 [Foster Relationships with the Business Sector] encourages creative signage. Further, it states, “Following the exception made for Downtown Garland, develop a signage variance that allows for creative signage that provides an opportunity for private businesses to contribute to the visual vibrancy of the City.”

COMPATIBILITY OF REQUEST WITH SURROUNDING ZONING AND LAND USES

The surrounding properties are located in the Downtown (DT) District, particularly in the Downtown Square (DS) Sub-District to the east, west, and north; and the Downtown Historic (DH) Sub-District to the south. These properties are developed with an array of land uses including retail, restaurants, services, and church uses. To the north across Main Street is the Downtown Square plaza, currently undergoing reconstruction. Other existing business signage in this area includes wall signs, projecting signs, hanging blade signs, and canopy signs of various styles.

Attachments
DD 22-01 Jimmy Wallace Guitars Attachments
DD 22-01 Jimmy Wallace Guitars Responses
DD 22-01 Jimmy Wallace Guitars Staff Presentation