Item 9A/B g4f6
To: Southlake City Council Members January 26th, 2016
1400 Main Street#210
Southlake, Texas 76092
From: George and Jan Grubbs
702 South White Chapel
Southlake,Texas 76092
RE: Dumler request for Feb. 2 Council meeting
Dear City Council Members,
Our name is Jan and George Grubbs, Jr. My wife and I purchased the property which became
our homestead at 702 South White Chapel twenty years ago. The property was 10 acres and
we developed the front half and Pat Summerall developed the back half and called his back 5
acres "Amazing Grace". To satisfy the city, Pat and I agreed upon a slightly larger front street
presence for his property which then narrowed down after 100 feet and he was able to build on
the full width of the back of the property which was his desire for more privacy. Pat developed
a long driveway with a circle drive at the back and everyone I know of has always enjoyed both
our properties.
As you are probably aware when Pat passed away the property was sold and the current couple
has also done an outstanding job of upgrading and expanding on this wonderful estate. Pat's
lot was considered a flag lot in that the street entrance was narrower than the back. This is the
only logical way to divide 1300 feet deep properties. Two narrow, 1300 feet deep properties
would have been totally impractical and not allow for the larger estate homes that require
more width.
In fact, right now I have "flag" lots on my north and south, adjoining my property and I am
grateful that they are both flag lots and that there is not a street on either side or my property.
A street would bring more traffic from curiosity seekers, less security, and be much less
attractive than a landscaped driveway.
Now, I understand Steve Dumler has bought the property just to the south of our property. Mr.
Dumler has been very proactive and reached out to both myself and other neighbors to discuss
what he wanted to do with the 14.9 acres he has purchased. I told him I am very much in favor
of seeing the property developed in a manner that is consistent with the properties across and
behind me and he decided to just divide the property into two lots with him retaining the back
lot of almost 10 acres. I believe that large estate type lots are consistent with this area and are
good for Southlake so I am very much in favor of his proposal to only divide the property into
two lots with him doing a driveway only to the back property,just like the properties on both
sides of me currently. Yes this is a "flag" lot but still has a nice presence from the front street.
There is not a single street going back on either side of the estates here on White Chapel and to
basically install a one house street, totally inconsistent with all past development makes no
sense. I never invisioned that the City would even allow such a thing. This would also make it
more possible for a future council to possibly open up the street for further division in the
future. With no street, there is more likelihood that it will remain two nice estates only.
The previous owner of the Dumler property, did not mow the grass regularly, kept all kinds of
dogs, turkeys, and animals which got out of their area and caused all kinds of issues for
neighbors like us. The place was left with high weeds, extreme clutter with junk everywhere
next to our home and was generally not kept at all consistent with what Mr. Summerall, and his
successor, and I have developed as well landscaped large estates.
When he bought the property, Mr. Dumler immediately mowed the property, and has cleaned
it up much to our pleasure. He intends to develop the property and landscape it in such a way
as to blend well with the other large estates in this special area of Southlake. This is exactly
what all of us should want for our city, 15 acres turned into two large highly landscaped estates.
We are pleased that the Planning and Zoning board has recommended this proposal. I think
Mr. Dumler and his wife will be a wonderful addition to our neighborhood and we ask you to
give him your full approval to develop the two lots without a public street.
Sincerely,
Geor Grubbs,Jr.
r
Jan Grubbs