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Council approves Dove Ridge preliminary plat and allows private gated street over P&Z denial
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Summary
The council approved the preliminary plat ZA25-0077 (Dove Ridge) and granted a variance permitting a private gated street with entry gates despite the Planning & Zoning Commission's denial of the variance; the council vote was 5–1.
The Southlake City Council approved the preliminary plat for Dove Ridge (case ZA25‑0077) and granted a variance to allow the proposed new street to be constructed as a private street with entry and exit gates.
Director Dennis Killo described the plat and said the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat but denied the requested variance for a private street. Developer John Sharkey, who said the gated option is market-driven and that a nearby neighborhood (Moss Farms) is gated, asked council to permit the gate; he said the gate is primarily about neighborhood character rather than security and that stacking distance would be provided so queueing vehicles would not back onto Dove Road.
Council members asked about access for delivery and emergency vehicles. Police Chief Langford said gated communities typically provide access tools such as a Knox box or keypad and that developers are required to provide such access to emergency personnel. Some councilmembers voiced philosophical opposition to gated subdivisions as a policy matter, and others said the proposed 60-plus-foot stacking distance should prevent traffic backups.
Councilmember Ken Williamson moved approval of the preliminary plat, specifically allowing the street to be designated as private with entry and exit gates; the motion carried 5–1. The council noted that lot sizes remain compliant with SF-1A single-family residential standards and that tree preservation and drainage were addressed in the applicant’s plans.
