Southlake City Council Halts Housing Plan
Southlake City Council Halts Housing Plan
Proposal Overview
The Southlake City Council has voted 4–3 to reject a proposed 27-lot housing development on a 21-acre tract located at State Highway 114 and Shady Oaks Drive. This tract was originally zoned for agricultural and commercial use. Developers had proposed rezoning it to residential, requesting a land use amendment and a planned unit development (PUD) designation.
Key Details of the Plan:
Lot sizes: Minimum 20,000 sq. ft.
Tree canopy retention: Improved from 30% to 33%
Buffer from SH 114: An 8-foot masonry wall with 50-foot setbacks
Developer: The Huffman Group & Sage Group, Inc.
Council Vote & Justification
The project was denied after extensive deliberation during the June 3, 2025 meeting.
Votes Against (4):
Mayor Shawn McCaskill
Frances Scharli
Austin Reynolds
Chuck Taggart
Votes in Favor (3):
Dr. Randy Robbins
Kathy Talley
Randy Williamson
Reasoning:
Mayor McCaskill cited inadequate setbacks and highway buffering:
“It may be OK for Las Colinas, but I’m not sure it works here. We just say no and get a better product.”Councilman Reynolds emphasized Southlake's 94% build-out, urging cautious use of remaining land.
Developer’s Argument
Supporters of the development stressed the benefits of residential use over commercial, including:
Reduced traffic impact
Enhanced tax revenue
Support for local schools
They also argued that the updated plans reflected community input, including larger setbacks and improved green space retention.
Community Input
The proposal was polarizing:
Some HOAs and nearby residents supported the revised plans.
Others remained concerned about:
Increased traffic
Noise from the nearby highway
Preservation of trees and green buffers
What’s Next?
With the rejection:
Developers may revise the plan with even larger buffers or fewer homes.
Alternatively, the land could be reconsidered for commercial use, depending on city direction.
Why It Matters
Southlake’s leaders reaffirmed a commitment to intentional development, ensuring that new projects align with:
The Southlake 2035 Land Use Plan
Tree preservation and neighborhood integrity
Community expectations for privacy and quality of life
Final Thoughts
This decision demonstrates how Southlake balances growth with preservation. As the city nears full build-out, projects will face greater scrutiny to uphold Southlake’s legacy of thoughtful planning and community-first values.
🔍 Looking for your dream home in a Southlake TX neighborhood?
📍 Set up a free consultation me!: https://texasdreamplace.com/
