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Argyle planning panel approves amending plat, allows narrow lot frontage
Summary
The Argyle Planning and Zoning Commission approved an amending plat that transfers 3.93 acres between adjacent properties on Hickory Hill Road and grants a variance for reduced lot width; the decision was unanimous, 7-0.
ARGYLE, Texas — The Argyle Planning and Zoning Commission on May 7 approved an amending plat for Lamb and Lion Farms that transfers 3.93 acres between two adjacent properties on Hickory Hill Road and preserves an existing narrow lot configuration by granting a variance to the town's minimum lot width requirement.
Town staff presented the amending plat during the meeting, explaining the change would move 3.93 acres from the property at 800 Hickory Hill Road to an adjoining tract owned by Terry and Ava Benton. Harrison, a town staff member who presented the item, said the remaining Lot 3 would measure about 5.87 acres and therefore meet the zoning district's 5-acre minimum but would not meet the 300-foot minimum frontage; it would have roughly 196 feet of frontage. Harrison said the Planning and Zoning Commission has authority under the development standards to approve variances for lot width and depth and recommended approval, citing a 2015 commission approval of the same long, narrow configuration as precedent.
Applicant Chad Jacobson described the back-and-forth history with the property and the neighboring owners: "Terry approached me and said, 'Hey, would you ever be interested in reselling that back land?'" Jacobson told commissioners, saying the transfer better fit his family's needs and that Benton would continue to use portions of the land for agricultural needs and informal access for Jacobson’s sons.
Commissioners discussed notice and visibility; staff explained that because the transaction is an amending plat (a boundary transfer between existing lots) rather than a replat that creates new lots, the town's public-notice requirement for replats does not apply. The staff presentation also noted the lot was previously approved in 2015 as the Moylan Addition, Lot 1, Block A, with the existing narrow frontage.
Commissioner Marilyn moved to approve the amending plat; Commissioner Martin seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The approved amending plat moves 3.93 acres from Lot 1 to an adjacent property, leaves Lot 3 at about 5.87 acres (meeting the 5-acre minimum for the Ag zoning district), and authorizes a variance to allow approximately 196 feet of frontage where the ordinance requires 300 feet. Because the commission approved the variance, the matter does not require a separate action by town council.
The commission also closed the item with no conditions recorded in the meeting minutes. Staff and the applicant indicated they would finalize plat documents with town records following the commission's action.
