Residents keeping an eye on the process
A surge of residential development caused by a drop in available homes is creating the classic "not in my backyard" struggle in area cities.
At the end of February, just over 1,400 lots were either proposed, somewhere in the review process or under construction in Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville and Westlake.
The numbers get a big boost from the 404 lots approved for the Carillon mixed-use development in Southlake. But even Colleyville and Grapevine, which have less land available for development, are seeing an increase in the past few months.
The reason, said Colleyville Mayor David Kelly: "I think the economy is improving. People are buying homes and there's less availability of homes."
The inventory of homes for sale in Northeast Tarrant County was 39 percent lower in January than it was a year ago, according to the Texas A&M University Real Estate Center.
Most of the homes in Southlake are upscale, with prices expected to be in the $600,000 and up range. At Lake Pointe in Grapevine, prices start in the mid-$400,000s.
Lot sizes and prices are smaller in some of Colleyville's new proposals.
"Years ago, we had a lot of larger tracts," Kelly said. "Now we're seeing an aging population — they don't want a big yard."
The main issue for residents often is density — the number of houses per acre. Many of them have spent years enjoying open space that is now being developed.
"I think that the history of our city is that whenever you're living next to open space, somebody owns that land and is expecting economic benefit to come from it," said Southlake Mayor John Terrell.
"We have historically had citizens who may be concerned about various developments," he said, adding that the city's approach for several decades has been to stick with the strategic plan and vision.
Traffic and drainage also are concerns for residents in existing neighborhoods. Others welcome new construction, saying it will enhance property values.
In Grapevine, four subdivisions with a combined total of 207 lots are already approved.
Density vs. quality of life
Colleyville has one subdivision under review and four approved, for a total of 153 lots.
Plans to put 10 lots on 2.99 acres at 2501 Cheek Sparger Road for a project called Ivy Glen in Colleyville were approved unanimously March 5, but drew organized support as well as opposition to the Feb. 19 City Council meeting.
Residents of the Spring Garden townhomes on one side supported the project, saying single-family residences will increase their property values. Homeowners in the Hills at Central Park on the other side objected to both the density and two-story houses planned on lots that back up to their homes.
Resident Ted Smith told the council he bought his property believing that the land in question would be used for a single estate home located well away from his house.
The larger Creekside at Colleyville on the west side of Heritage Road calls for 40 homes in the $450,000 to over $700,000 range on 108.5 acres in its first phase. It also was approved unanimously March 5, and drew little opposition.
The Preservation on Glade, on the other hand, attracted a crowd of people who stayed past midnight during the proposal's first reading March 5.
Their chief concerns were drainage and traffic. The developer was asked to stick with a proposal for 38 lots instead of an earlier one for 48 and to return later with more detailed renderings of his drainage plans.
Traffic and aesthetics
Savannah Estates in Southlake was approved March 5 with 96 lots planned on 77.05 acres. The subdivision required both a land use amendment and a zoning change.
Council members Pamela Muller and Carolyn Morris voted no on the land use plan amendment. Council member Al Zito voted against the zoning change.
Traffic in the area at the northwest corner of West Dove Road and Hwy. 114 was the chief resident concern voiced at the Feb. 19 City Council meeting.
Residents gave council a petition signed by almost 200 people opposing the subdivision, but Terrell said all the signatures could not be verified.
One resident who lives on West Dove Road told the council the traffic already is "horrendous."
The developer is planning a roundabout to relieve traffic and will contribute roughly two-thirds of the cost.
The total will be about $1.5 million, city official said.
Benefits of development
The tax benefit of residential development comes from both property tax revenue and sales tax, as more people move to the area and shop.
As with the roundabout at Savannah Estates, cities often reap extra benefit from the projects. City economic incentive agreements also come into play.
In Westlake, an 84-lot subdivision called Granada was approved Feb. 25, after months of protest from residents who attended Town Council meetings.
Afterward, the council approved an agreement with developer Centurion American in which the city will reimburse the developer for $1.4 million in streetscape improvements along FM 1938 and Dove Road.
In exchange, the developer will pay the city $10,000 per home, or $840,000.
