CTroyMathis
04 January 2003, 02:20 PM
Coppell: Condos proposed for historical area
Airport noise, development plans for district raise concerns
01/03/2003
By SCOTT STAFFORD / The Dallas Morning News
Ron Robertson, a former Coppell City Council member, wants to build 20 condominiums on four acres in the historical district of Old Coppell.
But he needs a zoning change from commercial to residential that may be tough to win from city officials concerned about the project's proximity to noise from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and whether it fits with plans for the area.
"We have tried to take into consideration years of complaints from citizens in Coppell about airport noise, and we're trying to be very sensitive to the future homeowners in Coppell," said Coppell Mayor Candy Sheehan.
The zoning change will be discussed at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.
The master plan for Old Coppell, accepted by the commission in March and the council in April, calls for a limited amount of residential land use near the old neighborhood. The proposed development also is close to a zone affected by 65-decibel noise levels coming from planes using D/FW Airport.
Some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission back the residential-use option suggested in the Old Coppell Master Plan, as do some city staff members. Both may recommend approval of the zoning change so Mr. Robertson's project can proceed.
"The city's Comprehensive Master Plan, adopted in 1996, says there should be residential on that land," said Coppell director of planning Gary Sieb. "The plan that was done in May 2002, the Old Coppell plan, says it ought to be residential. ... If it makes sense from a land-use standpoint, we'll move forward and let the City Council decide."
Mr. Robertson, who owns Robertson Pools, said the city paid "good money" for the historical district's master plan, and it should be followed for the betterment of the old neighborhood.
"The council paid for and accepted the plan," Mr. Robertson said, "a plan that described exactly what I'm wanting to do."
The city paid a consultant about $65,000 to produce the master plan, which Ms Sheehan says is only conceptual and can be changed.
"Zoning is a decision made by the City Council," Ms. Sheehan said. "The master plan is made by consultants that live outside the city of Coppell. There is a reason for local decision-making and local control – that is what the elected officials do, not consultants."
Ms. Sheehan defeated Mr. Robertson and Tom Morton in the Coppell mayoral race of 1997. Mr. Robertson later moved to Bartonville, where he serves as mayor.
Mr. Robertson said the 20 condominium units would be built according to 1920s Victorian architecture. He said another Victorian-style structure near the condominiums would house two office units.
"My market is the empty-nester segment," Mr. Robertson said. "It fits really well in with Old Town and the senior citizen center. It all ties together."
He said the new land use would also improve the appearance of the neighborhood.
"Right now, I park all my heavy equipment over there," he said. "It's a stone yard. We have a diesel tank over there. This is an opportunity for me to develop it and get all that out of there."
Ann Dragon, the city's planning and zoning commissioner, said more housing in Old Coppell would make it easier to sell the neighborhood to retail users, another objective of the Old Coppell Master Plan.
"If it's in the Old Town area, and the Old Town Master Plan indicates that's the type of land use that would be appropriate, then that will be taken into consideration in my decision, unless somebody has some absolutely compelling reason to decide otherwise," Ms. Dragon said.
She added that airport noise is not a concern for her because that area is outside the zone identified as experiencing intermittent airport noise levels of 65 decibels or more.
"How far do we go?" Ms. Dragon wondered. "A half a mile, two blocks or five miles – you're either inside of it or you're outside of it. There are also residential homes all around it."
At least two merchants that own businesses in Old Coppell weren't sure which way to lean on the zoning question, but both were sure that to increase their businesses, more retail operations are needed.
"If it was possible, it would be good because it would give you a community feeling," said Charles Chance, owner and operator of Coppell Home Décor on Bethel Road since 1995. "But whether they're residents or not, as long as we have some kind of a center to draw people."
Angie Cox, owner of Coppell's Finest, a gift shop on Bethel Road since 1998, said there needs to be more retail activity to attract more people. "A tea room, a restaurant, a clothing boutique – we'd like to have some things in here that would draw more people."
"Our vision for Old Coppell is retail – restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops," said Ms. Sheehan, adding that there already are plenty of homes in the Old Coppell area.
"We've got lots of rooftops in Coppell," the mayor said. "I don't think another 20 is going to make a big difference."
Airport noise, development plans for district raise concerns
01/03/2003
By SCOTT STAFFORD / The Dallas Morning News
Ron Robertson, a former Coppell City Council member, wants to build 20 condominiums on four acres in the historical district of Old Coppell.
But he needs a zoning change from commercial to residential that may be tough to win from city officials concerned about the project's proximity to noise from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and whether it fits with plans for the area.
"We have tried to take into consideration years of complaints from citizens in Coppell about airport noise, and we're trying to be very sensitive to the future homeowners in Coppell," said Coppell Mayor Candy Sheehan.
The zoning change will be discussed at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.
The master plan for Old Coppell, accepted by the commission in March and the council in April, calls for a limited amount of residential land use near the old neighborhood. The proposed development also is close to a zone affected by 65-decibel noise levels coming from planes using D/FW Airport.
Some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission back the residential-use option suggested in the Old Coppell Master Plan, as do some city staff members. Both may recommend approval of the zoning change so Mr. Robertson's project can proceed.
"The city's Comprehensive Master Plan, adopted in 1996, says there should be residential on that land," said Coppell director of planning Gary Sieb. "The plan that was done in May 2002, the Old Coppell plan, says it ought to be residential. ... If it makes sense from a land-use standpoint, we'll move forward and let the City Council decide."
Mr. Robertson, who owns Robertson Pools, said the city paid "good money" for the historical district's master plan, and it should be followed for the betterment of the old neighborhood.
"The council paid for and accepted the plan," Mr. Robertson said, "a plan that described exactly what I'm wanting to do."
The city paid a consultant about $65,000 to produce the master plan, which Ms Sheehan says is only conceptual and can be changed.
"Zoning is a decision made by the City Council," Ms. Sheehan said. "The master plan is made by consultants that live outside the city of Coppell. There is a reason for local decision-making and local control – that is what the elected officials do, not consultants."
Ms. Sheehan defeated Mr. Robertson and Tom Morton in the Coppell mayoral race of 1997. Mr. Robertson later moved to Bartonville, where he serves as mayor.
Mr. Robertson said the 20 condominium units would be built according to 1920s Victorian architecture. He said another Victorian-style structure near the condominiums would house two office units.
"My market is the empty-nester segment," Mr. Robertson said. "It fits really well in with Old Town and the senior citizen center. It all ties together."
He said the new land use would also improve the appearance of the neighborhood.
"Right now, I park all my heavy equipment over there," he said. "It's a stone yard. We have a diesel tank over there. This is an opportunity for me to develop it and get all that out of there."
Ann Dragon, the city's planning and zoning commissioner, said more housing in Old Coppell would make it easier to sell the neighborhood to retail users, another objective of the Old Coppell Master Plan.
"If it's in the Old Town area, and the Old Town Master Plan indicates that's the type of land use that would be appropriate, then that will be taken into consideration in my decision, unless somebody has some absolutely compelling reason to decide otherwise," Ms. Dragon said.
She added that airport noise is not a concern for her because that area is outside the zone identified as experiencing intermittent airport noise levels of 65 decibels or more.
"How far do we go?" Ms. Dragon wondered. "A half a mile, two blocks or five miles – you're either inside of it or you're outside of it. There are also residential homes all around it."
At least two merchants that own businesses in Old Coppell weren't sure which way to lean on the zoning question, but both were sure that to increase their businesses, more retail operations are needed.
"If it was possible, it would be good because it would give you a community feeling," said Charles Chance, owner and operator of Coppell Home Décor on Bethel Road since 1995. "But whether they're residents or not, as long as we have some kind of a center to draw people."
Angie Cox, owner of Coppell's Finest, a gift shop on Bethel Road since 1998, said there needs to be more retail activity to attract more people. "A tea room, a restaurant, a clothing boutique – we'd like to have some things in here that would draw more people."
"Our vision for Old Coppell is retail – restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops," said Ms. Sheehan, adding that there already are plenty of homes in the Old Coppell area.
"We've got lots of rooftops in Coppell," the mayor said. "I don't think another 20 is going to make a big difference."