At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Scott LeMay and the council members heard requests from II Stephens Development, LLC. The requests included a zoning change, approval of a detail plan and a development agreement for the property at 2040 West Miller Road. It is on the south side of West Miller Road between Shiloh Road and South Garland Avenue.
The proposed development consists of 74 single-family homes, walking trails and a park. It will include both front and rear entry homes. Some of the homes will be two stories, some will be one story. The property size is 15.27 acres. The surrounding area is zoned and developed as single-family home neighborhoods.
The developers asked for approval of a garden home concept with smaller lots and yards with lower maintenance. In addition, deviations from the Garland Development Code. The deviations include smaller lots with more house on each lot (coverage of 65% instead of 50%) were requested.
Additionally, they asked for front and side setback deviation slightly smaller than required by the GDC. The architecture will meet GDC requirements except for smaller covered front porches. The development will be patterned after the Riverset development at Buckingham and Shiloh roads.
City staff recommended approval of the developer’s requests. Plan Commission recommended approval but requested picnic tables, grills, etc. in the park area.
City staff sent surveys to over 200 neighborhood homeowners. Seven of the responders were in favor. Nine opposed the development.
The development agreement between the city of Garland and the applicant will include parks and trails for public use which will be maintained by the city. The linear trail in the development will be maintained by HOA.
The city will waive the usual tree mitigation fees.
This area of Garland was referred to as a “park desert.” It was agreed by all that a park with public access will be an asset.
The homes will face Sherwood Drive. According to city staff, the development should not cause major traffic problems on Sherwood Drive and Miller Road.
District 5 Council Member Rich Aubin made the motion to approve the requests. District 1 Council Member Ricky McNeal seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.