SOUTHLAKE - Complaints from Oak Tree Estates failed to convince the City Council or developers to move the entrance of the proposed Winding Creek neighborhood.
Instead, Winding Creek was tabled on Jan. 17 for three weeks so a traffic study could be done to measure the impact 74 residential lots would have on Carroll Avenue. The proposal comes back for a final vote on Feb. 7.Paul Spain, president of Terra Land Management, the developer, said he could do the study in two weeks since it will have a minimal effect on the streets. The 46.7-acre neighborhood is proposed on Carroll Avenue just south of Southlake Town Square."Should be pretty quick because [the impact is] not much," Spain said.After the meeting, Mark Kotter, whose Oak Tree Estates home backs up to Carroll Avenue, criticized the council for allowing Terra Land Management to do its own traffic study. He and others in his neighborhood bombarded the council with emails expressing their concerns.During the meeting, he again pleaded with the council to move the entrance so it lines up with Westmont Drive instead of his backyard."It's dangerous and it's going to get more so for people in both developments," he said. "The entrance is in the wrong place."The city will conduct its own traffic study in the future, but Kotter said it would be too late by then."What are you going to do once the entrance is there? Once it's built, it's too late to do anything about it," he said.Spain said they chose that location for the entrance because it's the best place to cross the creek.Bob Price, director of public works, said there would be too much potential for conflict if the streets lined up. Eventually, Carroll Avenue will be widened four lanes with a landscaped median.In other action, the council:Tabled the controversial Jellico Chase Office park for the third time. A proposal for two offices has met resistance from residents on Jellico Circle and Vermilion Court. It is now set for a first reading Feb. 7.Called the May 12 election for the mayor's seat and Place 2. The seats are currently occupied by Mayor John Terrell and Councilwoman Carolyn Morris. Candidates can start filing Feb. 6.Approved a sign request for HomeGoods, the final hurdle for the store to move in at 200 N. Kimball Ave. next to the Toys R Us/Babies R Us.Approved on first reading a zoning and site plan for Watermere Medical Plaza, 2813 E. Southlake Blvd. Project includes two 13,000-square-foot office buildings across from Watermere at Southlake retirement community. Final vote and public hearing will be Feb. 7.Authorized the city attorney to use eminent domain to obtain right-of-way for the 30-inch waterline on Randol Mill Lane. The city needs 6,374-square feet owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
