Southlake council approves consent agenda, zoning and ordinance items; several first- and third-reading votes carried

The Southlake City Council on April 1 approved its consent agenda and took final or preliminary votes on several development- and policy-related items.

The council voted unanimously, 6-0, to approve the consent agenda that included March 4 meeting minutes; designation of the commercial recorder as the city's newspaper of record (Resolution No. 25-012); first reading of an amendment to boards and commissions tenure rules (Ordinance No. 480D, first reading); ratification and authorization of HVAC expenditures with Texas Air Systems LLC (not to exceed $95,000); approval of wayfinding signage replacement with Priority Signs and Graphics (not to exceed $100,000); a one-year extension of the validity of a plat revision (case ZA24-00004) for lots on Randall Mill Avenue; excused absences for two planning commissioners; and tabling of a zoning change request (Z A24-00042) to the May 6, 2025 council meeting. The consent motion also added Item 9A (capital equipment purchase from Ford Audio Video Systems LLC, not to exceed $163,926) to the consent agenda; council approved the entire consent package 6-0.

Other formal actions taken during the meeting included: - Third reading and final approval (6-0) of Ordinance No. 480-828 (Case ZA25-0001), rezoning and development plan approval for property at 2300 West Continental Boulevard, changing zoning from Agricultural to Transition Zoning District (TZD) and approving a four-lot plan with minimum lot sizes above 20,000 square feet. The ordinance was approved subject to the staff report dated March 25, 2025 and the development plan review summary dated Feb. 25, 2025. - Approval (6-0) of Resolution No. 25-016 (Case ZA25-0007), a specific use permit authorizing a commercial school for wrestling instruction at 545 S. Nolan Drive, Suite 250, subject to the term of the primary lease and any exercised extensions; the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 5-0. - Approval (first reading, 6-0) of Ordinance No. 480-833 (Case ZA25-0008), a zoning change and site plan to create an SP-1 (detailed site plan) district at 2250 E. Continental Boulevard to allow a private school (Novus Academy) as a permitted use by specific-use permit; council also noted the private school SUP would be presented on April 15, 2025. - Approval (first reading, 6-0) of amendments to the Transition Zoning District provision of the city zoning ordinance (Case EA25-0013, Ordinance 480-ggggg, first reading). Council approved changes on first reading to: calculate residential density on the TZD gross area that defines the residential neighborhood boundary (including neighborhood open space); add adjacency, setback, buffer and screening standards for nonresidential components adjacent to existing single-family neighborhoods; adopt a minimum lot area of 10,890 square feet (one quarter acre) for TZD residential lots; and exclude stormwater detention areas from open-space credit unless the detention is designed and approved as an aesthetic or passive recreational amenity. Council members set a modified setback metric for TZD nonresidential buildings abutting existing single-family districts to build lines of 50, 70 and 90 feet respectively for one-, two- and three-story buildings and added a requirement that evergreen screening must reach eight feet within three growth cycles and be maintained in perpetuity. Second reading and public hearing were scheduled for April 15, 2025.

Votes were recorded as unanimous (6-0) for each listed motion; where individual roll-call votes are not listed in the transcript, the council reported the final tallies as recorded above.

Why it matters: The zoning and ordinance decisions advance several development proposals and change how the city will measure and limit residential density, lot size and adjacency protections in future TZD proposals. The council's first-reading approval of amendments to the TZD text begins a 2-week review period and will return for a public hearing and final vote on April 15.

Votes at a glance (key items) - Consent agenda (Items 4A–4H + 9A added) — Approved, 6-0 (Mover: Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Talley; second: not specified in transcript). - Ordinance 480-828 (ZA25-0001) — Rezoning and development plan for 2300 W. Continental Blvd — Approved (Third reading), 6-0 (Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Williamson; second: not specified). - Resolution 25-016 (ZA25-0007) — SUP for wrestling instruction at 545 S. Nolan Drive — Approved, 6-0 (Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Williamson; second: not specified). - Ordinance 480-833 (ZA25-0008) — First reading: SP-1 and site plan to allow Novus Academy private K–12 school at 2250 E. Continental Blvd — Approved (First reading), 6-0 (Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Williamson; second: not specified). SUP to follow April 15, 2025. - Ordinance (EA25-0013 / TZD text amendments) — First reading approving amendments to Transition Zoning District standards (density calculation; lot area; adjacency buffers and screening; open-space credit rules) — Approved (First reading), 6-0 (Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Williamson; second: not specified). Second reading/public hearing scheduled for April 15, 2025.

Actions and documents referenced in motions are recorded in staff reports dated March 25, 2025 and related plan-review summaries referenced in the council record for each item.