It was one of three items approved during the Southlake City Council meeting Oct. 1. A commercial building plan was also approved as well as a new tutoring business.
What happened
Tommy Bahama, which opened Aug. 28, applied for a sign variance to paint a mural on the south and west side of the building, located at 160 State St.
Dennis Killlough, Southlake director of planning and development services, said the Southlake Arts Council approved the mural on the west side of the building, which is the rear of the building, but had concerns about approving the mural on the south side, which runs along Fountain Place. The Southlake Sign Board approved the west-side mural only.
“I tend to agree with the Arts Council,” Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Talley said. “They have concerns about not just this building, but it is starting to happen on the buildings in [Southlake] Town Square.”
The motion was passed, 5-2, for the west-side mural.
Cheryl Usnick, Project Manager Store Design and Development for Tommy Bahama, said the custom pattern would be painted in light gray or white.
Council Members Amy Torres-Lepp, Randy Robbins, Randy Williams and Ronell Smith and Mayor Shawn McCaskill voted in favor of the variance, while Talley and Frances Scharli voted against it.
“I think we need to stay progressive and allow our vendors that invest in our city to have some expression," Torres-Lepp said. “When you visit shopping centers like ours that draw people, I think kids take pictures in front of backdrops like this.”
Also of note
A zoning change and site plan was approved for Tutor of Dragons, a commercial school/education service that works in tandem with Carroll ISD, according to documents.
The business will be located at 1320 N. White Chapel Blvd.
In a letter to the city, owner Robert Presley said there would be no more than 15 people on site at one time between tutors, students and support staff. Private 1-on-1 sessions and Zoom sessions are available, according to the letter.
Classes would run from late afternoon into the evening and also on weekends.
Also on the agenda
A site plan was approved for 104 and 112 River Oaks Drive for two multi-tenant commercial office buildings.
The request was made by Dr. Ved Vikas Aggarawal, according to city documents. Aggarawal is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician, according to an online biography.
