The Coppell Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 20 approved a planned development and a companion minor plat for the Coppell Entertainment Plaza, a proposed indoor pickleball facility with speculative restaurant and retail spaces on a 1.6-acre parcel along State Highway 121.

Staff described the project as a single-story building containing five pickleball courts (about 13,000 square feet), a speculative restaurant space of about 2,485 square feet and a speculative retail space of about 2,170 square feet (totaling 17,655 square feet). The plan showed 73 parking spaces proposed and 66 required. The applicant also proposed a 6-foot masonry screening wall along the north property line adjacent to the Coppell Greens residential subdivision and identified landscaping and tree mitigation commitments.

Developer Jason Chen and civil consultant Lindsay Mayer told the commission the operator has an existing indoor-pickleball facility elsewhere and plans similar operations in Coppell. Phil LaBerge, vice president of the Coppell Greens Homeowners Association, spoke in favor but requested a rear gate in the masonry wall to allow HOA maintenance access to the common area behind the site; the developer said he was prepared to provide a locked gate but wanted to confirm liability and maintenance details with counsel.

Commissioners placed conditions on the PD that reflect staff recommendations — including TxDOT approval of the stormwater tie-in, detailed engineering review, a required plat prior to permitting, verification and sizing of proposed landscape trees, correction of elevation/rendering discrepancies, and construction of the 6-foot screening wall prior to vertical construction. They also added a condition requiring the applicant and the Coppell Greens HOA to work out a locked access point in the rear wall so the HOA can reach its common area; the HOA is to sign an access agreement to document the arrangement.

Commissioner Moore moved to approve PD-323 (Coppell Entertainment Plaza) with staff conditions and the rear-access condition; Commissioner Hafeman seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote with all present voting "aye." The companion minor plat for Lot 1, Block A was approved separately, also subject to staff conditions (including tree mitigation fees and construction of the screening wall prior to vertical construction). Staff noted final permitting will follow engineering review and TxDOT approvals for drainage ties.

Staff also asked the developer to revisit the species selection for some Chinese pistache shown on the planting plan; HOA representatives said some varieties can produce messy fruit and suggested alternatives. The developer agreed to review the gate access and legal concerns raised by counsel and the HOA while moving forward with permitting.