Richardson City Plan Commission Meeting September 5th, 2023

Six of the seven regular commissioners are present, Chairman Marsh, Vice-Chair Southard, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Costantino, Commissioner Keller, and Commissioner Bohnsack. One alternate, Byron Purdy, is also present and will participate. Commissioner Walraven is absent.

Minutes of the August meeting are approved unanimously.

The only item on tonight’s agenda is a public hearing on ZF 23-08, a special permit request for an event center, 77 Wedding & Event Center, and separate restaurant within an existing building at 1801 N. Plano Rd. The restaurant use is allowed under the current zoning, but the event center use requires a special permit. Staff provides an overview of the request and the ordinance conditions. The applicant then steps forward to present their plans and answer questions. The applicant requests a closing time of 2 a.m. on weekends and midnight on weekdays. He also states that the restaurant will serve Vietnamese food. One public speaker supports the request. Chairman Marsh states that the parking requirements should be more restrictive than what’s allowed for churches or theatres. Currently, no parking standards exist for event centers. He agrees with staff’s recommendation to have one space per 2 ½ occupants. Though the public hearing is closed, the applicant returns to the microphone to advocate for less restrictive occupancy/parking requirements. The CPC unanimously approves the request with the hours requested by the applicant and a parking minimum of one space per 2 ½ seats.

Chairman Marsh states that one comment card was received unrelated to the zoning file. CPC meetings do not have a Visitors section, so that comment isn’t expounded upon. Meeting adjourned.