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Southlake commission denies flag-lot variance for Shade Lane preliminary plat
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5–0 to deny a requested variance to allow panhandle (flag) lots at 410 & 414 Shade Lane, citing a lack of demonstrated hardship and precedent concerns; the applicant may present the case to City Council on Oct. 7.
The Southlake Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 18 voted 5–0 to deny a variance request to permit panhandle (flag) lots for a preliminary plat at 410 and 414 Shade Lane, concluding the application did not demonstrate the type of hardship the ordinance requires.
Staff described the proposal as two panhandle lots on roughly 2.5 acres and summarized the applicant’s justification that the configuration would create buildable parcels approximately 110 by 450 feet in the flag portions. The applicant’s representative, Ashim of Creative Science and Engineering, said the flag-lot layout was the best solution for the site’s shape and would support well-designed single-family homes.
Resident Helen Hansen Clary spoke during public comment and urged the commission to consider the neighborhood’s mature trees and recurring drainage concerns: "There are a lot of many old growth oak trees on that property ... I'm concerned about the trees," she said.
Commissioners questioned whether site constraints met the ordinance’s required criteria and warned against setting a precedent that would permit flag-lot variances without demonstrated hardship. One commissioner said the earlier council discussions had generally not favored flag lots absent compelling justification. The motion to deny (case Z825-0058, staff report 09/12/2025) was put forward by a commissioner, seconded, and passed unanimously. The record notes the applicant may still present the application to City Council on Oct. 7 if they so choose.
Staff also told the applicant that a tree-preservation plan and any required landscape information would need to be provided as the application advanced, and that the applicant could withdraw, continue or present to council as next steps.
The denial was based specifically on the variance request rather than broader plat technicalities; commissioners emphasized the importance of the city’s flag-lot criteria when considering similar requests in the future.
