Council tables plans for residential leases at Southlake Town Square

Residents gave the City Council a 500-signature petition opposing The Residences lofts, which would lease for $3,000–$5,000 a month, or sell for $500,000 and up.

Cooper & Stebbins is seeking changes to plans already approved in 2011 for two types of homes—Brownstones, the kind of housing already in the mixed-use development, and Garden District residences.

The Brownstones are three stories, 2,000 to more than 3,800 square feet and sell for $500,000–$2 million and up. The proposed Garden District residences would be smaller, with the main living areas on a single level.

The original plans called for 130 Garden District residences, 10 Brownstones and did not include the lofts.

The new plans call for 60 Garden District homes, 33 Brownstones and the 40 lofts—slightly lower density overall, with seven fewer homes.

The density requirement at Town Square is already in place, and would not change under the plans submitted.

Residents came to the podium concerned about quality of life, crime, traffic, parking and property values. A few also supported the housing, including Ryan Smith, who lives in a Brownstone.

"So many people oppose the word apartments. The Brownstone developers have had many meetings with the residents. We're the most affected. We live here," he said. "I support the project. It's the best use of the property."

After a three-hour discussion and about another hour of public hearing, the council took a straw poll in which three members—Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Bledsoe, Martin Schelling and Laura Hill—and the mayor agreed they would be willing to consider supporting the plans if the requests were tabled and the developer returned with concerns about parking and other issues addressed.

Members Randy Williamson, Carolyn Morris and Pam Mueller said they could not support the proposal, regardless.

The council had to take several votes to table the issue, because request was for approval of a concept plan, two specific use permits, approval of the preliminary plat and approval of a plat revision. In each case, Morris cast the sole opposing vote.

The council is expected to take up the matter again on Sept. 17, although Bliss said he may need longer than two weeks to complete the work requested.