2018-034 DPS Office on Loop 288Date: March 23, 2018 Report No. 2018-034
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Information regarding the Department of Public Safety (DPS) office on Loop 288
BACKGROUND:
On March 6, 2018, City Council inquired about the State’s DPS office located at 820 N Loop 288,
Denton. Concerns have been received regarding building capacity, lack of parking, and pedestrians
crossing the highway due to the lack of parking on-site.
The property, owned by the State of Texas, is 1.571 acres in size with an approximate building
size of 7,500 square feet and 44 parking spaces. See aerial image of site below.
DISCUSSION:
The property is not platted with the City of Denton, nor is it required to be, since it is owned by
the State. The State does not have to follow local building codes, but it does have to abide by State
Fire Code. Any violations issued would need to be based off the state regulations and enforcement
would be done through the State Fire Marshal’s office. DPS appears to be abiding by State Fire
Code by managing total number of occupants inside the building (by forming wait lines outside)
and maintaining the required Fire lanes in their lot.
The building itself appears to be undersized as witnessed by wait lines outside. Therefore, it is
hard to compare what parking regulations would be if subject to local regulations since parking
minimums in the DDC are currently based upon building size. For example, if categorized as a
retail or service facility, a ratio of 1 parking space per 300 sq. ft. is required, and therefore 25
parking spaces would be required for 7,500 sq ft building.
Date: March 23, 2018 Report No. 2018-034
Staff has reached out to State Representative Lynn Stucky’s office to request assistance.
Representative Stucky began contact and discussions with the Department of Public Safety more
than a year ago, including traveling to meet with the Austin DPS office twice and continued follow-
up discussions. His office will continue to advocate for solutions to be included in the
appropriations process in the next 2019 legislative session. Until then, they are continuing to search
out interim actions to alleviate pressure from this site, including discussions to add new services
to other DPS offices to distribute use in the region.
CONCLUSION:
City staff will continue to stay in contact with Rep. Stucky’s office and offer any assistance in their
discussions with DPS.
STAFF CONTACT:
Sarah Kuechler
Director of Public Affairs/IGR
sarah.kuechler@cityofdenton.com
940-349-8356