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GARLAND PLANNING REPORT
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Agenda Item 8.e. |
City Council Regular Session Agenda |
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REQUEST |
Approval of a Detail Plan for a Data Center on a site zoned Planned Development (PD) District 20-17. LOCATION 805 Holford Road |
OWNER |
Digital Garland Ferris, LP. |
PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION |
On November 7, 2022, the Plan Commission, by a vote of eight (8) to zero (0), recommended approval of a Detail Plan for a Data Center. |
STAFF RECOMMENDATION |
Approval of a Detail Plan for a Data Center. |
BACKGROUND |
In 2015, City Council approved a zoning change from Agricultural (AG) District to Planned Development (PD) District 15-20 for Mixed Uses. In 2017, City Council approved an amendment to Planned Development (PD) District 15-20 for Mixed Use to remove the Transition Zone located at the southwest corner of Campbell Road and Lookout Drive and Rezone to Mixed Use-Mixed Residential. In 2020, City Council approved an amendment to Planned Development (PD) District 17-35 for Mixed Use to 1) remove Dwelling, Multi-Family Use and Elder Care Independent Living Use from several character zones; 2) change the character zones of certain properties; and 3) remove the Concept Plan and require Detail Plans through a public hearing. The PD 20-17 Zoning Framework Plan includes five (5) Character Zones, each zone implements specific aspects of the vision for a regional mixed-use destination with significant employment and residential uses. The following districts within the PD are: Employment Mixed Use Zone EMU), Retail Mixed Use Zone (RMU), Mixed Use-Mixed Residential Zone (MU-MR), Mixed Use-Mixed Residential Zone (MU-MR), and Transitional Zone (T). The proposed project is located within the Retail Mixed Use Zone (RMU). The applicant requests approval of an amendment to Planned Development (PD) District 20-17 to allow a Data Center. A Data Center is permitted in the Retail Mixed Use character zone by right; however, a Detail Plan is required through the Public Hearing process. |
SITE DATA |
The overall site consists of approximately 18.636 acres with approximately 1,087 lineal feet of frontage along Holford Road and 1,248 lineal feet of frontage along Ferris Road. It should be noted that Ferris Road will be abandoned and be replaced with a private driveway; however, the site can be accessed from West Campbell Road and Holford Road. |
USE OF PROPERTY UNDER CURRENT ZONING |
The subject property is zoned Planned Development (PD) District 20-17 and within the Retail Mixed Use (RMU) character zone. The Retail Mixed Use (RMU) Zone is adjacent to North President George Bush Turnpike with access conducive to destination and regional retail uses. As mentioned above, Data Center is an allowed use in Retail Mixed Use. |
CONSIDERATIONS |
1. Development and Site Plan
The applicant proposes a 178,814 square-foot Data Center, a regional detention pond and a future expansion of 67,228 square feet, which are all part of Phase 1. Per the narrative, “the building will be designed with office space and associated infrastructure spaces and populated with 4 MW of equipment with planning for expansion to 6 MW in the future. The third data hall and associated infrastructure spaces will be master planned for 6 MW but constructed as shell space. The building will be designed to expand to add a fourth data hall and associated infrastructure spaces on land made “pad-ready” as part of this project.” Future phases will require a Detail Plan through the public hearing process.
2. Parking
The site plan (Exhibit C) complies with the parking requirements per the GDC. In addition, bicycle parking is required per Planned Development (PD) district 20-17 and the site plan is in compliance.
3. Screening and Landscaping
The proposed landscaping conforms to the screening and landscaping requirements per the GDC. The landscape plan (Exhibit D) reflects a ten (10)-foot ornamental metal fence around the perimeter of the property. 4. Building Design The building design complies with the architectural elements and articulation requirements of the GDC and Planned Development (PD) District 20-17.
5. Transportation
A Traffic Impact Analysis was not required with this request. The Transportation Department did not have any concerns with the proposed development and it meets technical requirements. It should be noted that the Ferris Road abandonment will be considered by City Council.
6. Signage
No deviations were requested regarding signage. |
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN |
The Envision Garland Plan designates the subject property as Business Center. Business centers provide a cluster of business offices and/or low impact industry, including campus-type development, that cumulatively employ large numbers of people. Operations within this development type occur internal to buildings resulting in minimal negative impacts (sound, air, traffic, outdoor lighting, storage, etc.) and are compatible with adjacent development types in architecture, character, scale, and intensity. Business centers are generally located at intersections of major and/or secondary arterial streets or significant transit areas (bus/rail). Proximity and access to residential areas are encouraged to reduce travel times to employment. Site design addresses function and visual aesthetics providing appropriate buffering at gateway corridors, between adjacent developments, and for residential neighborhoods The proposed use is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan. |
COMPATIBILITY OF REQUEST WITH SURROUNDING ZONING AND LAND USES |
The area the north is zoned Planned Development (PD) District 20-17; this property is currently unimproved. However, this property is intended for future phases for the data center. The property to the east, across Holford Road, is zoned Agricultural (AG) District; there is a residential home on site. The property to the south is zoned Planned Development (PD) District 20-17; this property is currently developed with an entertainment facility. The property to the west is zoned Planned Development (PD) District 22-11 for a self-storage facility. |
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