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Smaller lots approved by council
Decision receives mixed reaction from residents
By Linda Taylor
Four Peaks Development, developers of the proposed Tealwood project received the go ahead from the Southlake City Council June 5 to begin a residential development that will call for 15 houses on a 5.15 acre parcel of land located at 1589 East Continental Boulevard. The council’s approval changed the zoning on the property from light industrial to transition zoning district.
After several hours of deliberation, which included presentations by city staff, the developer, comments from residents and input from council members, the council voted 5-2 to approve the request for a zoning change and the development plan. Mayor Andy Wambsganss and Councilwoman Carolyn Morris cast the two dissenting votes.
With the decision, Tealwood will become the city’s first transition project since the zoning was created in 2005.
The council’s decision was met with mixed reaction from residents. Those opposing the project cited the possibility of setting a precedent that would allow smaller lot sizes in other areas of the city.
“I was against the last high density development and I am against this one,” said Patty Gleim, a Southlake resident. “We should send a clear message to developers that density in Southlake should not exceed two houses per acre.”
Suzanne Maisto, president of the Southlake Woods Homeowners Association, also spoke against the development.
“I am in favor of as much residential property as possible in Southlake, but high density housing does not belong in Southlake,” Maisto said. “I am concerned that you are putting double the amount of homes in this area that should be there. I am in support of quality housing, but why would we compromise 50 years of planning by allowing this development?”
Several residents who live near the proposed development spoke in favor of the project.
“The people who are most affected by this development want it,” said resident Paul Dumas. “We don’t want the property to go light industrial. We are not willing to roll the dice if this is rejected that it will go light industrial.”
Mayor Andy Wambsganss, who voted against the project, said there are lots of reasons why the project could have a positive impact on the area, but that he has concerns about the decision.
“Using the transition district here is a concern for me because it is really not what it was created for,” Wambsganss said. “I think we need to be real careful here. At some point, we need to draw the line and do what we have said. Another concern is that other property owners would want the same density.”
Councilwoman Laura Hill, who voted in favor of the project, said she didn’t see the decision as precedent setting.
“The vote for me tonight will not be precedent setting when it comes to density,” Hill said. “Currently the property is zoned light industrial and if it goes light industrial I see no reason for the rest of the area not to go light industrial. I am convinced that nothing better can go on this property. I see this as an improvement.”
Councilman Greg Jones also expressed concern that residents near the development would have to deal with light industrial developments if the Tealwood project was not approved. He added, however, that the city needs to make a renewed commitment to staying with the formula that got the city to where it is today.
Contact staff writer Linda Taylor at 972-628-4064 or ltaylor@acnpapers.com
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