Special City Council Meeting

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING VIDEO CONFERENCE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 AT 6:30 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Jensen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Ron Jensen Mayor Pro Tem Jorja Clemson Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Mike Del Bosque Council Member John Lopez Council Member Cole Humphreys Council Member Jeff Wooldridge Council Member Greg Giessner Council Member Jeff Copeland (entered meeting at 6:34 p.m.) EXECUTIVE SESSION No executive session was held. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance providing for a moratorium on the acceptance of any development related applications or permits for property development within the corporate limits of the City for the following uses: single-family attached, single family townhouse, single family – hybrid housing (build to rent), 2-family/duplex, 3&4 family, and multi-family apartment uses Planning Director Rashad Jackson presented the public hearing notice & first reading of the ordinance for a proposed moratorium on multifamily development with schedule of public hearings. Mr. Bill Dahlstrom discussed other development he is currently involved in within Grand Prairie. Mayor Jensen asked staff to clarify if current projects are affected by this moratorium. Mr. Jackson advised they are not. Mr. Brad Williams at 2728 N. Harwood Street in Dallas represents the Cottages at Dechman and also asked to clarify current projects are not included in this moratorium. Mayor Jensen assured they are not. Mr. Tommy Mann at 500 Winstead Building, represents the JPI project and requested something in writing to confirm current projects are not included in this matter. Mayor Jensen asked Mr. Jackson to prepare and issue. Mr. Jackson noted he would respond with an email to that effect. Special City Council Meeting – February 18, 2021 Page 1 of 2  Mr. Dwight Germer at 1040 Kaylie Street expressed concerns about building at Dechman and Fish Creek near the Interstate 20 Corridor. He noted when such development is planned, consideration should be given to a plan for development on hills and valleys. Mr. Germer would like to see a tree protection ordinance for development projects. Ms. Joy Frazier asked if the moratorium includes current projects. Mayor Jensen confirmed it does not, and Mr. Jackson restated they are exempt from this moratorium. Ms. Frazier advised she does not support the Beltline and Marshall project and has numerous signatures to that effect. Mr. Jackson advised the application has been turned in and is not affected by this moratorium. Mayor Jensen clarified this does not mean it has been approved. Mr. David Lehde with the Dallas Builders Association at 5860 W. Plano Pkwy, Plano, Texas, discussed his opposition to the city’s proposed moratorium. Mayor Jensen confirmed receipt of documentation he sent to the Mayor and City Council prior to the start of tonight’s meeting. Council Member Lopez discussed the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and confirmed the city is not anti-multifamily but for planning the necessary type of housing development. Mr. Dye and Mr. Hills spoke on a planned open house for developers to discuss acquisition and rehabilitation of current apartment complexes which would likely include more than thirty developers, including tier two and tier three developers who have expressed interest. Mr. Dye said a comprehensive analysis is currently under way on multifamily and single-family housing. Council Member Giessner expressed concerns of rapid growth concerning multifamily housing and said this would address zoning change to multifamily housing. He asked Mr. Jackson how many extensions can be granted if needed. City Attorney Megan Mahan said residential would need to justify reasons for extensions. Mayor Jensen advised they would review in one hundred twenty days. Council Member Copeland asked if a full council vote would be needed to extend. Mayor Jensen confirm it does. Mr. Copeland reminded staff of the one hundred twenty days and noted he likely would not be supportive of an extension. Council Member Wooldridge moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clemson, to close the public hearing and approve the first reading of the ordinance. The motion carried unanimously. Approved CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Dwight Germer offered his services to the Planning and Zoning Commission for development improvements. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Jensen adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. The foregoing minutes were approved at the March 2, 2021, City Council meeting. _______________________________ Mona Lisa Galicia, City Secretary Special City Council Meeting – February 18, 2021 Page 2 of 2