Council grants first-reading approval for outpatient youth mental-health facility at West Southlake Boulevard

The Southlake City Council voted 5-2 on first reading to approve a zoning amendment and site plan that would allow Caris Care to operate a full-day outpatient mental-health treatment program for up to 20 students in Suite 120 at 600-660 West Southlake Boulevard.

Planning staff described the request as an amendment to the site's SP-1 detailed site plan district to permit a youth day-treatment mental-health facility. Director Dennis Killough said the proposal calls for staff of five and treatment and group therapy hours roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial by a 3-1 vote with one commissioner dissenting.

Representatives from Caris Care, including President John Raines and facilities manager Peter Yule, described security and patient-flow measures the company proposes to use: a controlled drop-off area, a staffed reception, time-delay egress doors on the patient-unit entries and internal security procedures. Raines said the applicant has coordinated with the fire marshal and will install time-delay doors that sound an audible alarm if engaged; the doors have a 15-second delay that the fire marshal confirmed was allowable under code with an approved plan.

Council members discussed public-safety concerns and the need to balance safety with access to care. "I've been the person who's pushed a lot about safety here," Councilmember (identified in the record) said, noting an analogous facility elsewhere on 1709. Several council members said they were reassured by the proposed staff ratios, the locked entries and the time-delay doors and that many local families currently travel to Fort Worth for similar treatment.

The motion approving first reading of ordinance 480-445B (ZA25-0030) included acceptance of the site plan and the use as presented. Councilmembers said they would require the listed security measures, and several council members and staff emphasized that the time-delay doors and other physical improvements must be installed before the facility opens; a building permit and final inspections remain required.

Why it matters: Supporters argued local availability of outpatient youth mental-health services reduces travel burdens on families who currently go to Fort Worth; opponents and some council members raised safety and circulation concerns. The approval on first reading moves the project forward subject to permit review, fire-marshals approvals, and the installation of the proposed safety features.

Next steps: The ordinance and site plan return for second reading and final action. The applicant said it will submit final construction and life-safety plans for permitting and will install the specified security features prior to opening.

Speakers included: Dennis Killough (planning staff), John Raines and Peter Yule (Caris Care), and multiple council members who questioned safety and operations during deliberation. Planning & Zoning recommended denial 3-1 (one dissenting vote).