The Grand Prairie Zoning Board of Adjustment convened on June 16, 2025, to address a significant appeal regarding a property at 500 West Oakdale Road. The meeting focused on the denial of a certificate of occupancy for the property, which has been the subject of ongoing disputes concerning its lawful use.

The discussion began with a presentation by city staff, highlighting that the property had been cleared without the necessary permits, rendering its use unlawful. The city maintained that no certificate of occupancy had ever been issued for the property, which is crucial for establishing legal use. The applicant, Eli Amzalag, and his representative, Stephen Darling, argued that they had relied on previous communications from city officials indicating that the property could be used for heavy truck parking and outdoor storage, which they believed constituted legal nonconforming use.

Amzalag, who purchased the property in 2021, expressed his concerns about the implications of the denial, stating that without the certificate, the property would be essentially worthless. He emphasized that the previous owner had operated the property for over 20 years without issues, which led him to believe that he could continue the same use.

The board heard arguments from both sides, with city officials clarifying that the property had never been lawfully used for the intended purposes without a certificate of occupancy. They noted that the applicant had been informed multiple times about the absence of such a certificate and the need for a specific use permit (SUP) to operate legally.

As the meeting progressed, board members raised questions about the historical use of the property and its compliance with current zoning regulations. The city reiterated that while the property had been used for truck parking in the past, it did not meet the current legal requirements without the necessary permits.

The board ultimately faced the decision of whether to uphold the city’s denial of the certificate of occupancy. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, particularly regarding the interpretation of nonconforming uses and the enforcement of zoning regulations in Grand Prairie.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further review the evidence presented and to deliberate on the appeal's merits in a subsequent session. The board's decision will be crucial for Amzalag and the future use of the property, as well as for the broader implications for zoning enforcement in the area.