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Council denies Claire Lane rezoning request after neighbor opposition
Summary
The council denied a straight rezoning request for a 7.2-acre Claire Lane parcel that sought to change zoning from SF-36 to SF-30 for an eight-lot subdivision. Planning and zoning had recommended approval 4-3; the council vote to deny was unanimous, 7-0.
The Keller City Council denied a request to rezone a 7.2-acre property at 8660 Claire Lane from single-family residential (36,000-square-foot minimum lots) to a district allowing 30,000-square-foot minimum lots. The applicant proposed an eight-lot subdivision with a single access off Indian Knoll. Planning & Zoning had recommended approval, 4-3, but council members voted 7-0 to deny the rezoning.
City staff told council the application was a straight rezoning (not a planned development) and that the applicant's concept plan shows eight lots, a brick screening wall, sidewalk along Indian Knoll and a detention pond. The staff report noted notification mailings and that opposition within the 200-foot notification buffer failed to trigger a super-majority; P&Z recommended approval by a 4-3 vote.
Several nearby residents spoke during the public hearing. Ashley Wallace and Jim Connell told council a gated enclave would not match the existing street-facing homes of Indian Knoll and Claire Lane and urged either a smaller number of reconfigured lots or homes that face the existing streets. Other neighbors, including Connie Coleman, supported the applicant's gated plan, saying it would increase values and provide privacy and security.
The applicant, representing Sumanda Capital Partners, said the proposal was for custom homes in the $2 million-plus range, that the property had already been purchased with the intent to build eight lots, and that the company had drafted HOA covenants committing to lot size and minimum floor area. Council discussion focused on whether a straight rezoning provides sufficient guarantees about design and future ownership; several members said a planned-development (PD) approach would be preferable if the applicant wanted legally enforceable, site-specific standards.
Motion to deny was made by Councilmember Lee, seconded by Councilmember Bridal; vote 7-0 to deny the rezoning. Council explained that applicants who want site-specific guarantees should pursue a PD approval to bind development standards to the ordinance.
