Southlake mayor says council will review transition‑zoning district residential rules after recent applications

Mayor Sean McCaskill told the council and public on Feb. 4 that the city will begin a multi‑month review of the transition zoning district (TZD) ordinance, enacted in February 2005, to consider whether the residential component should be removed or restricted. McCaskill said TZD was adopted during a prior growth period and that, with Southlake now more than 90% built out and population near projections, council should reassess whether the residential allowances remain appropriate.

McCaskill said the intent is to hold public hearings before the planning and zoning commission and council in March and April (avoiding the CISD spring break) and to solicit community input on options including eliminating the residential component or adding guardrails such as revised density metrics. He said the city will post notices on social media and encouraged public participation during the upcoming meetings.

The mayor framed the review as a policy decision about long‑term community character, noting a longstanding city goal to remain a low‑density community within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. He said he had consulted former mayors and councilmembers to understand the original intent of the TZD ordinance. Council did not take any final action on Feb. 4; McCaskill said to expect more discussion and public hearings in the coming weeks.