To: Aaron Rector, City Manager
From: Sarah Hensley, Director of Community Development
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider an ordinance approving a zoning change request from Single-Family Residential 36,000 square-foot lots (SF-36) to Single-Family Residential 30,000 square-foot lots (SF-30) for 7.2 acres, located approximately 900 feet northwest of the Indian Knoll Trail and Shady Grove Road intersection, legally described as Tracts 1F and 1A02C, Abstract 1209 of the Thomas Peck Survey, zoned Single-Family 36,000 minimum square-foot lots (SF-36), and addressed 8660 Clara Lane and 8733 Indian Knoll Trail. William Solomon, Suma Monde Kapital Partners, Applicant. Charles H. Talley, Owner. (ZONE-2501-0003)
Background:
The subject property was annexed into Keller in the late 1960s and automatically zoned Single-Family Residential - 36,000 square-foot lots (SF-36) and has never been platted. There is an existing home at the northwest corner of 8660 Clara Lane that appears to have been on the property since at least the 1980s. The structure will be removed if this development moves forward.
The Applicant is requesting to rezone the property from SF-36 to Single-Family Residential - 30,000 square-foot lots (SF-30) in order to develop an 8-lot subdivision.
Surrounding Zoning:
North: SF-36
South: SF-36
East: SF-36
West: SF-20 (PD-818 and PD-810)
Current Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) Designation: Low-Density Single Family - 36,000 S.F. lots and above (LD-SF)
The Applicant is also requesting a FLUP Amendment from LD-SF to Medium-Density Single Family - 15,000 to 35,999 S.F. lots (MD-SF). That request is on the agenda as a separate item.
Surrounding Land Uses:
North: LD-SF
South: LD-SF
East: LD-SF
West: High-Density Single Family - 8,000 to 14,999 S.F. lots (HD-SF)
Site Design:
The concept plan shows eight lots that are all just over 30,000 square-feet. A brick screening wall and sidewalk are proposed along Indian Knoll Trail, and a detention pond will be located at the southwest corner of the development.
The Applicant proposes a cul-de-sac with one point of access off Indian Knoll Trail to serve all eight lots. The concept plan meets the required width and depth for all lots except for the depth on Lot 1 and width on Lot 2. To address this, the Applicant intends to bring forward a plat with variances for approval if the rezone request is successful.
The Applicant will also need approval on the plat to treat the side yards of lots 1 and 8 as side yards, rather than observing a front yard setback for yards adjacent to the street as required by Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 9.11.
All other lot dimensions and setbacks shown on the concept plan meet SF-30 zoning district standards.
Summary:
Section 4.03 (A) of the UDC states that when considering an amendment to the zoning regulations or zoning change request, the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council shall consider the following factors:
1) Appropriateness of all the uses permitted by the proposed change for the immediate area concerned, and the relationship of the proposed uses to the general area and to the City as a whole.
2) Agreement of the proposed change with any existing or proposed plans for providing streets, water supply, sanitary sewers, and other utilities to the area.
3) The amount of vacant land currently classified for similar development in the City, and any special circumstances that may make a substantial part of such vacant land unavailable for development.
4) The rate at which land in the same zoning classification has recently been developed, particularly in the vicinity of the proposed change.
5) Effect on other areas designated for similar development if the proposed amendment is approved.
6) Conformity with the goals and objectives for future developments within the Future Land Use Plan for the City of Keller.
7) Any other factors which will substantially affect the health, safety, morals or general welfare of the citizens of the City of Keller.
Citizen Input:
On February 13, 2025, the City mailed out 27 Letters of Notification for this Public Hearing to all property owners within three-hundred feet (300’) of the subject site. A public hearing notice sign was posted on the site.
Staff has received a petition, seven letters and two emails representing fourteen properties in opposition regarding this request. Total percentage of opposition from within the 200’ buffer is 57.5%, so a super-majority vote is triggered for this item.
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation:
At the February 25, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Commissioners recommended approval of the rezone request by a vote of 4-3.
Alternatives:
The City Council has the following options when considering a Zoning Change:
§ Approve as submitted.
§ Approve with modifications or additional amendment(s).
§ Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose.
§ Deny.