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A gas station convenience store could replace the bank building at the corner of Midway and Alpha roads.
During the April 14 Farmers Branch Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, QuikTrip proposed a 24-hour gas station featuring 20 fueling pumps and a 5,029-square-foot convenience store on 1.48 acres at 13601 Midway Rd., the location vacated by Origin Bank in February, while requesting a specific use permit and zoning amendment so the proposed store can sell beer and wine.
Andrew Ruegg, senior consultant with Masterplan Land Use Consultants, said the high-visibility, high-traffic location is similar to QuikTrip locations at Luna Road and Mira Lago Boulevard in Farmers Branch and at Arapaho Road and Knoll Trail Drive in North Dallas.
“QuikTrip isn’t driving the trips there. Rather, these are more of a convenience factor… They run a very clean, efficient, quality operation,” Ruegg said in his presentation to the commission. He said QuikTrip is planning to keep the sidewalks, driveways in and out of the retail plaza and four of the trees at the site. Though, there were conflicts with powerlines that did not allow for all the trees to be saved.
In response to questions the commission posed during study session, he said that QuikTrip has 192 stores in the City of Dallas, only three of which have been closed in the past 20 years. “Their aim is really to be long-term partners for sites. They want to stay in the community and provide that convenient… service to the Farmers Branch community,” he said.
Planning and zoning commissioners peppered Ruegg, QuikTrip Real Estate Project Manager Corey Vaughan and city staff with questions about many traffic considerations and safety – increased traffic with a “too-successful” store, parking, lighting and security.
Vaughan said that the company uses military grade security systems that include 360 degrees around the perimeter of the property that are always monitored. “I can’t state enough that QuikTrip is about brand excellence,” he said.
“What if it is just such a crazy, successful store? That could make this corner difficult. I’m wondering what mitigation opportunities are there if that happens?” Vice Commission Chair Marcus Miller said.
Other commissioners questioned the increased traffic as two more apartment complexes are being built in the area.
According to the information packet provided to planning and zoning commissioners, because Farmers Branch limited alcohol sales before June 11, 1987, the city may continue to enforce more restrictive regulations than provided for in the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. “As a result, when the city relaxes its alcoholic beverage regulations including those which apply to a specific area, the city cannot return to the prior more restrictive regulations. Therefore, the alcoholic beverage sales allowances granted within the overlay districts cannot be rescinded as it relates to the subject property once approved.”
Brett Mangum, lead planner for the city, said the proposed zoning amendment would be for beer and wine off-premise consumption only.
After a failed vote to deny the application for the specific-use permit, the commission voted to approve recommending it for the Farmers Branch City Council with 5 in favor and two commissioners against.
The application for the zoning amendment also passed 5:2.
Both requests will be heard by the Farmers Branch City Council on May 6.
QuikTrip is a privately owned corporation based in Tulsa, Okla. According to the QuikTrip website, the company is an $11 billion company with more than 1,000 locations in 17 states.
