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Council approves first reading for Novus Academy site plan; SUP to follow April 15
Summary
Novus Academy, a K–12 private school for students with learning differences, received first-reading zoning and site-plan approval; council will consider a specific-use permit for the school at its April 15 meeting.
The Southlake City Council on April 1 approved first reading of a zoning change and site plan that would allow Novus Academy, a private K–12 school serving students with learning differences, to locate at 2250 East Continental Boulevard.
Novus Academy's head of school, Amy Richard, told the council the school provides individualized instruction, social-emotional learning and small-group classes for students with autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, attention-deficit disorders and other learning differences. The proposal would initially occupy just under 22,000 square feet within a roughly 29,000-square-foot building; the applicant said Novus expects to serve about 50 students with up to 17 staff on site. The school does not plan to use buses and staff said daily drop-off/pickup runs are staggered and brief.
Planning staff reported that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 5-0 of the zoning change and site plan and also recommended approval of the associated specific-use permit. Council voted 6-0 on first reading; the ordinance and the SUP will return April 15 for a public hearing and final action.
Why it matters: Novus Academy is a specialized private-school option for families of students with documented learning differences. Council members said the school fills a local gap for smaller, tailored educational settings for students who struggle in large general-education classrooms.
Next steps: Staff will present the specific-use permit for the private school at the council's April 15 meeting for final consideration.
