Regulatory Analysis

Statutory Restriction:

The property is currently zoned commercial and classified as retail by the Tarrant Appraisal District. The zoning map for the City of Bedford is below.

In conjunction with zoning, the City of Bedford also has a Comprehensive Land Use Plan that affects the project site. While this plan is not the same as zoning it does give insight into the city’s goals and what they will use their zoning powers to achieve. Fortunately, the site is already compatible with the established objectives in the area. The site is in a Commercial Focus area, as shown in purple on the map below (from the City of Bedford Comprehensive Land Use Plan).



The city wants commercial development to have the primary elements of commercial corridors or commercial nodes as described in the plan and shown below:

Commercial Corridor

·        Depth should be restricted to not more than 300 feet and not less than 150 feet.

·        Parking lot interiors and perimeters should be landscaped to screen automobiles and break-up large areas of pavement.

·        Access to commercial property should not encroach into residential neighborhoods. Primary access is directly from arterial streets.

·        Buffering between single family and commercial uses may consist of landscaping, and/or solid walls. In addition, dumpsters and mechanical equipment areas should be screened.

·        Corridor development should orient traffic toward arterial streets and discourage entry to residential neighborhoods.

Commercial Node

·        Depth should be restricted to not more than 300 feet and not less than 150 feet.

·        Parking lot interiors and perimeters should be landscaped to screen automobiles and break-up large areas of pavement.

·        Access to commercial property should not encroach into residential neighborhoods. Primary access is directly from arterial streets.

·        Buffering between single family and commercial uses may consist of landscaping, and/or solid walls. In addition, dumpsters and mechanical equipment areas should be screened.

·        Corridor development should orient traffic toward arterial streets and discourage entry to residential neighborhoods.

The City of Bedford also has a Sign Ordinance. Below is a relevant section from this ordinance showing the restrictions in place for permanent signage on this site. A Braum’s store at this location has the potential to use all the sign types listed excluding Freestanding Freeway Pole. Here is a link to the ordinance in its entirety.   

http://www.bedfordtx.gov/development/files/2011/zoning/Sign%20Ordinance%20Cover%20sheet.pdf