Proposed 15-lot housing development in Southlake clears first hurdle

A bulk of the 1-hour agenda item Feb. 3 dealt with stormwater runoff and the retention pond located in the middle of the 22.7 acres formerly owned by Arthur Janes, which is being dispersed as part of an estate process, according to city documents.

The planning and zoning commission had denied the development plan review by a 4-2 vote at the Jan. 8 meeting. According to city documents, the commission's concerns were drainage and the flow of the water.

Zooming in

The 15-lot development will feature four open spaces for landscaping and drainage, according to the presentation.

Jerry Statham, a partner at Coleigh Homes, spoke during the meeting.

He said an existing house on the property would be removed as it is deemed unsuitable for restoration. The development would have a resident-only gated access point and the lots would range from 44,545 square feet to 65,479 square feet.

According to the presentation, traditional zoning states 40% of existing trees have to be preserved, but Coleigh Homes’ plans call for 61.6% of the trees to be preserved.

Zooming out

The property drains from the southeast to the northwest and into Higgins Branch Creek. Statham said he worked with engineers and the city to help ease concerns about drainage issues.

“We have a chance to fix it,” Statham said. “When we were looking at the study, we came up with two options, and we have met with the city preliminarily.”