2016-01-12 Meeting Report (KLA School)
SPIN MEETING REPORT
SPIN Item Number:
SPIN2016-01
Project Name:
KLA School
SPIN Neighborhood:
SPIN # 9
Meeting Date:
January 12, 2016
Meeting Location:
1400 Main Street, Southlake, TX
City Council Chambers
Total Attendance:
Seventeen(17)
Host:
Craig Rothmeier, Community Engagement Committee
Applicant(s) Presenting:
Doug Galloway and Gary Wood
City Staff Present:
Jerod Potts, Planner I
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FORUMSUMMARY
Property Situation:
300 Parkwood Dr.
Development Details:
Applicant mentioned that the current proposal is for a single-story, 13,000 square foot
daycare facilityand this is the property directly behind Calloway’s nursery
The applicant noted that when Calloway’s was originally developed they purchased the
land behind and put a proposed site plan through the City for a 12,000 square foot
single-story office structure
The applicant mentioned that KLA is a Reggio Emilia school; they value very tactile
learning-materials, plants, animals. They offer a number of community outreach
programs, and also include a Spanish immersion in the afternoons
According to the applicant theoutline of the school on the site plan almost mirrors
exactlythe outline that was previously proposedforthe single-story officeand the site
plan parking is what wasalready put through as that previously proposed single-story
structure
The applicant noted that KLA wants to embrace the previously established tree
preservation area at the back; their goal would be to have their playground right up
against the building and have a walking trail/nature trail that might meander through it
The applicant mentioned they are not proposing changes to the cul-de-sacor to the land
owned by the City
The applicant mentioned they are proposing a full masonry structure meeting all the City
requirements
According to the applicantthe center would be locally owned
Exhibits presented at SPIN:
QUESTIONS / CONCERNS:
How many children does this facility expect to take care of? How many cars?
The site plan notes 200 children, and when they open they will have to apply for
o
a license with the state. The facility was basically designed for this size. Traffic is
dispersed, rarely do you see cars stacking trying to get out of the parking lot.
There is a 30 foot mutual access to the church that was put in under the original
site plan. There is no left turn out of Parkwood onto Southlake Blvd. They will
turn right once they get to 1709 and exit out that way
There are two Parkwood Drives; could we get the name changed?
The utility road behind the banks, I understand that was built and maintained by the City
–it doesn’t have a name
Given that the Senior Center is empty now, worried that people will park in that lot and
walk up. They will probably cut through the church parking lot too.
As far as the nature area and the trail, one of the promises made was that would be
preserved. This blocks a lot of sound from Southlake Blvd.
Weren’t talking about taking out trees. Think it would be to everyone’s benefit to
o
take out dead trees to get rid of opossums and raccoons. May put in a
decomposed granite trail that is all-weather
Would like some feedback on what the City is going to do with the senior center.
What is thedepth of the wilderness area? At one point there was some suggestion of a
200’ buffer
The original buffer was around 200’. Don’t have an exact dimension.
o
How many parking spots do you have on the site plan?
48-49
o
Do you feel that many parking spots are sufficient for this facility?
Yes
o
Will there be bus pickup from Rockenbaugh? Do you envision some after school
programs as well for this facility?
They will have a small afterschool program. Only have one classroom right now
o
that would probably hold 30-35 children, 40 children. They would probably have a
bus or two.
Would like to find the intent of the closed senior center and the open property that sits
there
The current zoning when Calloway’s had that application, was it rezoned for the office
building?
It is currently zoned S-P-2, O-1 for an office use
o
I’m sure you will have to do a zoning change for this daycare center?
The property itself, they were combined for Calloway’s to have the ability to front
o
Southlake. They were going to move there corporate office there at the time. So
any use besides a single office would require another SP to be established
There will be zoning hearings and everything else
Absolutely
o
Is the cul-de-sac that is currently closed at Parkwoodgoing to remain closed?
Correct
o
When Calloway’s got the petition to make the office building, how many employees were
you thinking of having?
We were not involved in that submittal, so I do not know what there employee
o
count was
Concerned of the noise level of a playground with 200 kids, is very different from a
contained office where people are inside
In childcare I see 10-20 kids out on the playground. They usually go by class,
o
which usually the class ratios are based on the state regulations for teacher to
child ratios. You wouldn’t see them out early in the morning. They spend the
majority of their time indoors. The age of the children is 3 and 4 year olds
Does Calloway’s own the preservation area?
Calloway’s sold this lot to whoever owns it now
o
So the preservation area wasn’t City?
It ispart of the approved site plan now
o
Were under the impression the preservation area could not be touched. What are you
planning to do with the trees? Having the trail takes away privacy
It was established in the zoning that was created. This client is not proposing
o
taking away trees;there are a few dead ones that should be removed for the
healthy trees sake.See the area as a great asset. Would be meandering the trail
through existing tree cover
That preservation area should be no disturbance. By having a trail you are not
preserving the area you are disturbing it
Have to address the need to have a daycare. Why daycare?
It is adifferent learning environment. They have the ability to have bilingual
o
learning.They have very strong beliefs in that tactile learning, adapting to
specific needs of that child
Could I see what the need is to have a daycare?
The owners went after this site, felt this was a good place for it
o
Why don’t they go to a place where there are already buildings? This is a neighborhood.
This was previously zoned when Calloway’s was established as an office
o
The access is on Parkwood Drive?
Yeah
o
Has it been considered to close off the senior center parking lot access? So there isn’t
extra traffic?
We were unaware that it was a utility road that was connecting behind the senior
o
center
It seems the design is putting playgrounds on the nature buffers, and I agree thenature
trail will destroythe buffer effect. Think your ideas of parking are crazy.When you have
200 kids you are going to have 200 or 400 parents wanting to show up at some event.
The people will park in the senior center parking lot and will be coming through our
neighborhood to get there. I think a 12,000 square foot office and a 13,000 square foot
daycare are night and day different. Worried about the traffic
If they are having programs at Christmas and things of that nature I would guess
o
the entire center isn’t having a program all at one time. If parking was a problem
there is additional parking adjacent to Calloway’s, there is parking where the
church is. I would guess there is parking along Parkwood Drive
Little Sunshine has been open for a year now and only 40% full. It is a Reggio Emilia
school as well. Have 160 students
Are youconsidering any other areas?
Saw a number of different sites in a number of neighboring cities and they felt
o
very strongly that this was one that not only fit a daycare but specifically fit what
they wanted
What are the City’s plans for Parkwood Drive?
Did you say the owners are Southlake residents?
Yes
o
So why aren’t they here tonight?
They were unable to be here
o
Can you explain the building line and drainage easement?
Part of the plat, the survey. Cannot put any building in that area, between there
o
andthe property line
Right now there is a brush and grass, we want it left untouched. If you clean out the
underbrush and grass that adds to the noise penetration of that lot
We are not proposing any playground equipment
o
You do have a playground and you haven’t given us the outline of the playground so we
don’t know how far that playground goes into that trail area
Playground equipment comes very late in the design phase
o
Can the area for the zoning application be expanded for the entire neighborhood?
(Northwood Park)
SPIN Meeting Reports are general observations of SPIN Meetings by City staff and SPIN Representatives. The report is neither verbatim nor official
meeting minutes; rather it serves to inform elected and appointed officials, City staff, and the public of the issues and questions raised by residents and
the general responses made.Responses as summarized in this report should not be taken as guarantees by the applicant.Interested parties are
strongly encouraged to follow the case through the Planning and Zoning Commission and final action by City Council.
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