The city of Southlake invited the community to hear from the developer about the proposed residential development that would bring apartments to the city.
Mayor Laura Hill stressed the goal of the evening was to learn more about the project that would be presented to the City Council in 2020.
“Tonight is about getting information,” she said.
Director of Planning Ken Baker presented first on the history of Southlake Town Square and how the site in question was not currently zoned for multifamily use. It could be, however, if the City Council approved a special-use permit for the development.
Following Baker, Chris Paulus, the vice president of development for U.S. real estate at Cooper and Co.—formerly Cooper & Stebbins—and Frank Bliss, the president of Cooper and Co., presented on the proposed project.
Bliss said in order for a mixed-use development district such as Southlake Town Square to work, there needs to be people living there. Retailers and restaurants in Southlake Town Square see their numbers wind down in the evenings, and having residents who can walk to these destinations would help keep the district activated, he said.
The proposed development would sit directly east of North Carroll Avenue and close to SH 114, according to the presentation. The project is being proposed as a multifamily, for-rent development. It would be bordered by the Southlake Department of Public Safety headquarters and McPherson Park.
Rent cost is targeted to be at an average of $3,000 per month, Paulus said. There are also discussions of implementing a type of homeowners association structure to set guidelines for potential residents moving into the building.
The apartments would feature one- and two-bedroom apartments, Paulus said. Both the planned courtyard and parking garage would be gated and secured, he said. Other amenities would include a covered colonnade, a pool, a recreational deck, lounge areas, a fitness center, private dining suites and cabana areas.
The 350 units are needed to deliver a product of the planned quality, the developers said.
Following Cooper and Co.'s presentation, the city staff collected question cards from the audience, which the City Council asked in addition to their own questions. Questions from the council included the traffic impact of the development as well as the precedent a multifamily development such as this would set.
Hill, however, pointed out that while the opportunity was afforded to ask questions, it was meant to help better prepare the developers for the City Council meeting and to return before council knowing what to expect.
Southlake City Council does not consider controversial items around the holiday season, so the item will go before the City Council in early 2020, Hill said.
To view the presentation from Cooper and Co., click here.
