Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider a Specific Use Permit request to allow guest quarters within an attached accessory structure, on an approximately 1.0-acre property, located at 3125 Brookhollow Drive and located within the One-Family Residential District-1 (R-1) zoning district; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Community Services Department
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch utilizes Specific Use Permit (SUP) development applications as a mechanism to provide an additional level of scrutiny for ensuring that such proposed uses within the city meet all applicable codes and other requirements. An SUP request acknowledges that while a particular land use may be appropriate for some areas within a certain zoning district, it may not be appropriate for all areas within said district. The SUP process ensures that said use will conform to its corresponding zoning district as best as possible.
The subject property is an approximately 1.0-acre residential lot with an existing single-family residence. The property is located within the One Family Residence District-1 (R-1) zoning district, which permits detached single-family residences by right. Additionally, this zoning district permits accessory buildings to be used as guest quarters subject to approval of a Specific Use Permit (SUP) and compliance with the development regulations for accessory structures outlined in Section 2.9 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO).
Nick Patel, on behalf of John and Jennifer Huffman, is seeking approval of an SUP for an addition to the existing single-family home located on the subject property to be used as guest quarters.
At the July 13, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the Commission voted to recommend denial of this SUP request by a vote of four to three, with Vice-Chair Miller and Commissioners Sultzbaugh, Noris and Banks voting in favor of the motion, and Chair Raley and Commissioners Trapp and Kirby voting in opposition to the motion.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of Ordinance No. 4007 will authorize the development of guest quarters as an attached accessory structure for the subject property and allow the applicant to move forward with filing any necessary permits following this approval.
The following key considerations may be taken into account:
• The CZO requires approval of an SUP for guest quarters. This is only available to those properties zoned either One-Family Residence District-1 (R-1) or One-Family Residence District-2 (R-2).
• The existing single-family home measures approximately 6,542 square feet. The proposed guest quarters will measure approximately 2,123 square feet.
• The proposed guest quarters meet all applicable requirements of the CZO Section 2.9 Accessory Uses and Structures.
• Per the floor plan, the guest quarters will consist of a two-car garage, kitchen, living/dining area, bathroom, and bedroom. In addition, a covered patio will connect to this new addition.
• The proposed development is aligned with the Farmers Branch 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The land use designation on the Future Land Use Map for the subject property and the surrounding area is Moderate Density Residential, with housing diversity being a cornerstone of the plan and highly encouraged both for this land use designation as well as the city overall. The proposed guest quarters contribute to the plan’s goal of housing diversity.
• 25 letters in opposition to this request have been received, with 13 of these coming from property owners within the 200-foot boundary, which is the protest area.
• Currently, opposition to this request from the protest area is approximately 64.59 percent.
• Current Texas state law requires a simple majority vote by City Council for approval for those zoning amendments involving allowing for more purely residential development, even when 60 percent or more of written protest has been received. Because this request allows for more purely residential development, a simple majority vote by City Council is required for approval.
DISTRICT:
District 4
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTIONS:
1. I move to approve Ordinance No. 4007 as written.
2. I move to approve Ordinance No. 4007, with modifications.
3. I move to table the item for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 4007
2. Information Memorandum
3. Additional Documents
4. Presentation