Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance for Zoning Application No. Z0525-0396, submitted by Hemphill Seminary, LLC., for a change of zoning from R-3, Single Family Residential to R-3, Single Family Residential with a Conditional Use Permit to allow a telecommunications tower as a permitted use with modified separation requirements located at 1028 South Belt Line Road.
(No responses in favor and two in opposition to the application have been received from property owners within the statutory notification area. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends denial of the request.)
Body
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to construct a 125-foot-tall telecommunications tower on an undeveloped parcel owned by Anchor Baptist Church, located along South Belt Line Road. Although the parcel currently carries the same address as the adjacent First Presbyterian Church, the request does not involve any First Presbyterian Church property. The confusion arises because Dallas Central Appraisal District records list the subject parcel separately rather than as part of the Anchor Baptist Church property at 1212 South Belt Line Road. If approved, the parcel will be platted as one lot with Anchor Baptist Church, and the tower will be assigned a new, non-conflicting address.
The property is zoned R-3, Single-Family Residential, and is surrounded by other single-family districts. A 375-foot setback is required for the proposed tower. The nearest dwelling unit, located on the First Presbyterian Church property, is approximately 111 feet west of the proposed tower. The closest residence within the Esperanza subdivision is about 503 feet to the east.
On August 25, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission’s vote on a motion to approve the CUP resulted in a 3-3 tie vote (Commissioners Melend, Arnold, and Dharmarajan in favor and Commissioners Chenault, Teferi, and Walker opposed). Per ordinance, when a Commission vote results in a tie, the request is deemed denied.
It should be noted that, because opposition was received from property owners representing more than 20 percent of the land within the statutory notification area, approval of the application will require a supermajority vote. Specifically, six affirmative votes (three-fourths of the City Council) are needed for approval.
The applicant has submitted a timely appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s denial and has requested that the item be postponed until the October 20, 2025, City Council meeting to allow them more time to modify the proposed design and prepare additional visual simulations.
Recommended/Desired Action
Staff recommends that the City Council open the public hearing and postpone the item until the October 20, 2025, City Council meeting.
Attachment(s)
Staff Report and Maps
P&Z Minutes
Appeal Letter
Ordinance
Drafter
Garrett Langford
Head of Department
Adam Bailey