Following a request from the developer Jody Boyd, president of Woodbridge Developments, Southlake City Council agreed to table consideration of a 36-home subdivision called Bear Hollow.
Council tabled consideration of the rezoning request and development plan by a 6-0 vote, with council member Austin Reynolds absent, during the May 19 meeting. The action came after area residents raised concerns about drainage and council members voiced density concerns for the neighborhood.
“It seems like you’ve heard the comments from all the council members,” Mayor Shawn McCaskill said. “We’ll give you some time to do some homework.”
The gist
The initial proposal for a 20.97-acre tract included 36 single-family lots with an average lot size of 14,259 square feet, according to city documents. The proposed neighborhood is located west of Davis Boulevard, near the intersection with Sunset Way.
Director of Planning and Development Services Dennis Killough said the developer’s proposal would preserve nearly 52% of the existing tree canopy, which meets town standards. The development will also include 6.13 acres of open space.
Based on what was presented during the May 19 meeting, Boyd said it would generate around $100 million in tax value for the city.
“There was a lot of talk last year about no new taxes,” Boyd said. “This is how you grow the budget for the city: new subdivisions that pay ad valorem taxes.”
What they’re saying
Council member Gary Fawks raised concerns about the difference between the proposed side yard setbacks and overall density of the proposed neighborhood.
“I think medium-density residential is appropriate, and I don’t have a problem with the project,” Fawks said. “I think the density is an issue. I think the lot coverage is an issue. To me, this doesn’t feel like Southlake.”
Sherry Berman, a Southlake resident, said she was concerned about the density and the drainage of the proposed subdivision.
“Currently, this property is too dense and there’s no retention pond,” Berman said. “There needs to be enough land to soak up the water and prevent it from going down into the drainage of the tributary.”
Going forward
Council is expected to reconsider the case during its June 16 meeting.
