Southlake council approves zoning changes and helipad; consent agenda passes 6-0

Southlake City Council on March 4 approved several land-use and administrative matters, including two zoning items on second reading, a hospital helipad site plan and a multi-item consent agenda. Key outcomes:

2300 West Continental Boulevard (Case ZA25-0001, Ordinance No. 480-828): Council approved, on second reading, a zoning change from AG (agricultural) to TZD (transition zoning district) for property at 2300 West Continental Boulevard. The motion to approve was offered by Mayor Pro Tem Randy Williamson and carried 6-0. Staff said the applicant revised the plan to a four-lot configuration with all lots at least 22,560 square feet; if approved again at third reading the ordinance would return at the April 1 meeting for final action.

Schelling property (Case ZA25-0002, Ordinance No. 48829): Council approved, on second reading, a zoning change from AG to RPUD (residential planned unit development) for 2665 and 2735 North Whitechapel Boulevard. The motion was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Williamson and seconded; the motion carried 4-2. The revised development plan added a landscape/open-space easement along the North Whitechapel frontage and included only minor street-alignment adjustments requested by a utility stakeholder. The applicant described the easement as a buffer that also connects to nearby parkland.

Methodist Southlake Medical Center helipad (Case ZA25-0004): Council approved a site plan to formalize a helipad on the hospital campus at 335 and 421 East State Highway 114. Director Killough said SP-2 general site plan zoning permits a helipad as an accessory to the hospital. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0; council approved the site plan 6-0. Hospital representatives said the pad today is a cleared surface and the project will add a paved walkway and surfaced landing area. The staff report did not limit helipad uses to evacuations.

Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda (items 4A–4L with one item tabled and one withdrawn) and added two sign-case items (9A and 9B). Notable consent items disclosed in the meeting record included: awarding the Shady Lane and Lonesome Dove lift station improvements contract to Felix Construction in an amount not to exceed $2,400,000; authorizing an addendum to the owner-architect agreement with RPGA Design Group, Inc. to revise the scope and compensation for design services for the Southlake Municipal Service Center and Public Safety Training Tower in an amount not to exceed $22,700,000; and approving SPDC matching funds of up to $25,000 for a gazebo refurbishment at Water Mere at Southlake Park. The consent motion was moved by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Cathy Talley and carried 6-0.

Process notes: Several items required additional readings under city ordinance. The 2300 West Continental Boulevard rezoning (6A) was denied at first reading and was approved on second reading; staff noted it must receive two affirmative readings and will return April 1 for final action. The Schelling property followed a similar multi-reading path and moved forward after the 4-2 second-reading vote.

Who spoke on the record: Director of Planning (Director Killough) presented the land-use and regulatory summaries for the zoning items; applicants Curtis Young (2300 West Continental) and Martin Schelling (Schelling property) responded to council questions. Methodist Health System representatives Truby McDougall and Jamie Pletzner attended to answer questions on the helipad.

No appeals or additional conditions beyond those in the staff reports were recorded at the meeting for these items. The council also announced it will return in April to continue items requiring additional readings or final actions.