Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider approving Ordinance No. 3999, authorizing the request for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow a cellular mobile telecommunications antenna on a portion of a 1.63-acre property addressed as 1641 Keenan Bridge Road and located within the Planned Development District No. 77 (PD-77) zoning district; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Community Services Department
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch utilizes Specific Use Permits (SUPs) as it relates to antennas for cell towers as a method to evaluate and regulate such uses on a case-by-case basis to ensure compatibility with surrounding development.
The applicant, Scout Caruthers with Crafton Communications, is requesting approval of a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to add additional equipment to the existing cell tower located at 1641 Keenan Bridge Road, an approximately 1.63-acre property located on the north side of Keenan Bridge Road and on the east side of Luna Road. The subject site is located in Planned Development District No. 77 (PD-77), which allows for a variety of retail, commercial, industrial, and manufacturing-oriented uses. SUP approval is required for cell towers within this district. When SUPs are interim in nature per the expiration date noted in the approving ordinance, subsequent approval is required to maintain the use. The most recently approved SUP ordinance regarding this tower expired on March 5, 2011. Therefore, SUP approval is required to both bring this tower into legal compliance and for this equipment addition.
The subject property is currently in use as a recreation complex for The Texans Soccer Club. The applicant is seeking approval of an SUP for the existing cell tower sitting on a portion of this property, including the addition of the equipment. The scope of work includes the removal and replacement of three antennas and the modification of the mount to meet current standards. To improve efficiency in the permitting process for future equipment upgrades to this tower, the City has drafted an ordinance that will make the SUP for this tower permanent. This will allow the applicant to forgo the SUP process for future equipment upgrades to this tower, provided these are in compliance with all applicable City ordinances and have received approval of all required permitting. The two exceptions to this would be if the tower height exceeds the current 75 feet or if it is relocated from the position shown on the site plan included in Ordinance No. 3999.
The proposed SUP ordinance will:
• Bring the existing cell tower into legal compliance by making the SUP permanent for the cell tower as a use for a portion of the subject property.
• Allow the applicant to perform the proposed equipment upgrade.
• Bring efficiency to the permitting process for future upgrades to this tower by allowing the applicant to forgo the SUP process, provided the tower’s height is not increased above 75 feet or is moved from its current location per the site plan.
At their April 13, 2026, meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of this request.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of Ordinance No. 3999 will authorize the requested SUP for 1641 Keenan Bridge Road.
The following key considerations may be taken into account:
• PD-77 requires SUP approval for cell towers within this zoning district. The most recent SUP for this tower expired back on March 5, 2011; therefore, approval of a new SUP is required in order to bring this tower into legal compliance.
• The cell tower helps distribute cell phone and internet services to cell phone users.
• The proposed ordinance, as written, will make this SUP permanent for the subject property and will allow the applicant to forgo the SUP process for future equipment upgrades to this cell tower, provided the tower’s height is not increased above 75 feet or moved from its current location.
• Consistency with the Farmers Branch 2045 Plan: The plan’s Industrial Future Land Use Designation and the overall plan support the City’s existing infrastructure, including cell towers. Therefore, the proposed SUP is consistent with the plan.
• The equipment upgrade has the potential to enhance cell phone and internet service for cell phone users.
DISTRICT:
District 1
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTIONS:
1. I move to approve Ordinance No. 3999 as written.
2. I move to approve Ordinance No. 3999 with modifications.
3. I move to table the item for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 3999
2. Information Memorandum
3. Additional Documents
4. Presentation