Council approves James Place rezoning and development plan with setbacks, cul‑de‑sac and escrow conditions

Southlake City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 480‑840 (Z825‑0066) on March 3, authorizing a zoning change and development plan for the James Place subdivision on North Peytonville Avenue. The vote was 7–0.

Director Dennis Killough summarized revisions to the applicant’s plan presented at first reading: elimination of one lot (14 lots total), widening several lots, removal of a double‑headed cul‑de‑sac and a reduced front‑yard setback from 40 feet to 30 feet on lots 11 through 14. The change increases open space by approximately 3,700 square feet, and the cul‑de‑sac as now proposed would be about 1,600 linear feet.

The council approved several specific requests as part of the ordinance: allowing the cul‑de‑sac to exceed 1,000 feet (approx. 1,600 feet), approving gated private streets subject to subdivision code requirements, waiving the requirement to construct sidewalks along Peytonville Avenue while requiring an escrow for future sidewalks, approving 30‑foot front yard setbacks for four lots, and allowing 40 percent lot coverage on the residential lots. The detention area may be allowed to exceed 25 percent of open space only if an oversizing stormwater participation agreement is reached with the city; otherwise detention cannot exceed 25 percent of open space.

Jerry Statham, speaking for the applicant, said the reduced lot count preserved trees and added flexibility for the open‑space layout. The public hearing record included several mailed responses (both in favor and opposed) within the 300‑foot notification area; no in‑person speakers spoke during the hearing.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Williamson moved approval; the motion carried unanimously. Staff and applicants will follow the conditions and technical review steps identified in the staff reports.