Thursday, March 28, 2024

City Council to consider amendments to Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances

Southlake City Council will consider updates to the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision Ordinance at their next two meetings.

What does this mean?

Zoning Ordinance No. 480

The proposed amendments will better reflect staff’s current interpretation and application of the existing ordinances. The amendment proposes the following:

  • Set minimum standards for when sidewalks are required with a new development or expansion, as well as granting City Council variance authority;
  • Clarification of what kind of structures count towards lot coverages as well as the maximum permitted accessory building area within residential districts;
  • Approval for portable buildings will now be considered by City Council as a Specific Use Permit (SUP) rather than through Special Exception Use (SEU) from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA);
  • Adding items such as outdoor fire pits/fire places/kitchens to the list of residential accessories and Correct miscellaneous section references and numbering

Subdivision Ordinance No. 483

The proposed amendment includes:

  • Addressing a Tier 1 Southlake 2030 Mobility Master Plan recommendation, proposing elimination of sidewalk exemptions and to change the minimum sidewalk width requirement for certain developments from four feet to five feet.

At their September 7, 2017 meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of both ordinance amendments.

Click here to view the video of these items (Items 6 and 7 on the agenda) as presented at the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on September 7, 2017. As with all proposals, the amendments are subject to change pending City Council approval.
You can stay up-to-date with this process by visiting the Video On Demand page on the City website. Please contact the Planning and Development Services department with any questions at (817) 748-8621.