Public Hearing and Ordinance - Zoning Application No. Z0226-0441

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

A public hearing was held regarding Zoning Application No. Z0226-0441. Adam Bailey, Director of Planning and Development Services, stated that the applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to construct a new elementary school located at the northeast corner of Motley Drive and Moon Drive. The project is part of the 2025 Mesquite ISD Bond Program approved by voters and will replace the existing Motley and Lawrence Elementary Schools. The proposed redevelopment of the school campus is designed to accommodate up to 700 students at build out, exceeding the current combined enrollment of approximately 550 students and allowing for long-term growth. Redevelopment of the Motley Elementary School site will significantly increase on-site stacking and parking capacity. The primary drop-off and pick-up area will be accessed from Moon Drive and will provide more than 2,000 feet of stacking space outside of the fire lane. In addition, on-site parking will increase from 65 to 110 spaces. The applicant submitted a traffic management plan that was reviewed and accepted by the Traffic Engineering Department. Applicant Kenny Gilbert, representing WRA Architects, presented an overview of the proposed application and site plan. The secondary drop-off lanes will be along Hyde Park Drive and will serve primarily Pre-K and Kindergarten students. The primary drop-off lane is a one-way lane along Moon Drive with vehicles exiting along Motley Drive. Construction will begin in September 2026 with an estimated completion date of 2028. Motley Elementary and Lawrence Elementary are to be demolished once construction of the new school is complete. No one appeared regarding the proposed application. Mr. Green moved to approved Zoning Application No. Z0226-0441, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, with certain stipulations, and to approve Ordinance No. 5252, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MESQUITE ZONING ORDINANCE BY APPROVING A CHANGE OF ZONING FROM R-3, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO R-3, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL WITH A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3719 AND 4000 MOON DRIVE; REPEALING ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $2,000.00; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THE CAPTION HEREOF; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion was seconded by Mr. Casper and approved unanimously. (Ordinance No. 5252 recorded in Ordinance Book No. 137.)

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 6.4/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).