Southlake City Council denied a request for a zoning change ordinance allowing for a 14-lot residential development on a 9.8-acre tract of property on South Peytonville Avenue during Tuesday’s regular meeting. Hat Creek Development President Kosse Maykus proposed a gated subdivision, Hawkwood, with a private street. Owners of the existing home on-site have moved. Potential lots range from 20,500 to 37,000 square feet in approximate size with smaller tracts planned on the north side, Maykus said. Preliminary plans for the community also include interior street canopy trees, a drainage easement and a relocated retention pond, according to city documents. Notices were sent out to nearby residents, and the city received 10 replies—nine of whom opposed to the development, according to city records. Written protests point to concerns over drainage issues, fencing and traffic congestion. Nevertheless, the request had received a positive recommendation from the city’s planning and zoning commission with a 6-1 vote. Commission Member Scott Dyche voted against it, expressing dissatisfaction over tree coverage, the number and size of lots and the lack of green and open spaces. To alleviate drainage issues, Maykus consulted with an engineer to identify ways to mitigate potential flooding, and he is proposing an underground drainage system, which will also help preserve trees. Conceptual plans include the installation of short walls, inlets and other structures to divert water flow and prevent waste or debris from drifting to surrounding properties, said Rich Deotte, consulting engineer for Hat Creek Development. Water flows south on the property and developers can install a structure to increase water detention capacity. “Water floods [in the area] now,” Deotte said. “It’s not something we’ll create. It’s something we can improve though.” City staff said there is a concern the proposed detention pond is undersized, and the City Council also took issue with the gated entry and lot sizes. The requested zoning change has smaller lot requirements, and the proposed gates would also infringe upon the properties of adjacent lots. “Your bigger issue is density,” Mayor Laura Hill said. “It’s incredibly, incredibly dense.” If the zoning is changed, residents bordering the property may feel marginalized because this is not why they chose to live in that area, she said. “This is a beautiful piece of property and a beautiful part of town,” she said. “I can’t even imagine changing the zoning on that property to look like this … That’s not the right piece of property for that.” Council Member Randy Williamson echoed Hill’s thoughts, saying the development would be inconsistent with some neighboring subdivisions. Also, he thinks it would be fairer to homeowners if the lots were of more equal size. “I think Peytonville [Avenue] has a unique character to it with these large estates lots, and I’d hate to lose that feel,” Council Member Chad Patton said. The ordinance was denied with a 6-0 vote. Council Member Christopher Archer was absent.