Commissioner Eric Hedin twisted open a bottle of Diet Coke as Vice-Chairperson Cheryl Smith opened the Grand Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on March 28.
The briefing session began at 5:32 p.m., and the four items on this meeting’s agenda were discussed and questioned.
The meeting concluded with all motions being passed with only a single opposing vote for Item 11.
Dana Woods, Grand Prairie Planning Department senior planner, presented relating Items 11 and 12.
Item 11, seemingly the most controversial of the meeting, proposed a concept plan for Shady Grove Industrial to develop on more than 101 acres between Rock Island Rd. and Shady Grove Rd.
Grand Prairie resident Anita Malone said, “I don’t think I can stop this, and I know [Shady Groves Industrial] have a lot of money invested in this. But could they just keep Shady Grove and leave me alone?”
Laughter arose from the group of commissioners after this statement, but Malone’s voice cracked as she said she worries about never seeing the sunset from her house again with buildings blocking her view.
“We are always concerned about the folks that are already here,” Smith said.
Commissioner Max Coleman said he worries about this plan prohibiting the development of family houses in the area.
“We have provided enough right-of-way for Shady Grove and Rock Island to be expanded in the future,” said Ryan Level, representative for the developers of Item 11.
Level said the company will plant trees and maintain the landscape to benefit the residents nearby as much as possible.
Smith told Level she was concerned for the homeowner near the development, and she wants her voice to be heard.
Level replied that the company’s design plan would not touch Malone’s land.
Coleman said he was concerned for Malone, but he believes the development would not directly affect her neighboring land.
Chairperson Shawn Connor initiated the vote for this motion, and all commissioners were in favor except Ana Coca
The item’s related motion, Item 12, was a zone change on Rock Island Rd. from Single Family One and Commercial zoning to Light Industrial on 12.13 acres. All commissioners voted to pass this motion.
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