PROPOSED_Zoning Amendment Narrative_Comments_4 23 2021April 23, 2021
Mr. Dennis Killough
Deputy Director of Planning & Development Services
1400 Main Street
Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Re: Zoning and Consolidated land Use Plan Amendment Narrative, XO Marriage
North Side of S.H. 114, between Grace Ln and Kirkwood Blvd.
Dear Mr. Killough:
As you are aware, XO Marriage (a faith based non-profit) has purchased:
4.998 acres of land situated in the VINCENT J. HUTTON SURVEY, Abstract No. 681, Southlake, Tarrant County, Texas, and being a portion of Lot 1, Block 1, Gateway Church — 114 Campus,
an addition to the City of Southlake, according to the plat recorded in County Clerk’s File No. D210005156, of the Official Public Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and being a portion
of the tract of land conveyed to Gateway Church, by the deed recorded in County Clerk’s File No. D204303704, of the Official Public Records of Tarrant County, Texas.
Formerly part of the Gateway Church master plan. XO Marriage has decided to development a new office building for their ministry operations on the referenced property.
Background:
The build-out of the expansion onto this site will consist of a 3 story administrative office space, office space, 200 seat film studio, podcast studio, meeting and gathering areas.
XO Ministry chose to develop this site for its location, visibility, ease of access and natural beauty. XO Marriage and the consultant team are fully focused on preserving the natural
environment to the fullest extent. This is evident in the manner that the site has been designed to:
Protect views from the residential areas along East Highland Street.
Promote sensitive solutions to storm water management.
Utilize existing trees and proposed trees as buffers; shade for pedestrians and to signify important way-points within the site.
XO Marriage understands that the subject property is located in a highly visible area of the community along S.H. 114. The importance of a well planned, quality design has been a priority
for the staff and consultant team. Our intention is to create a prominent civic institution along the primary corridor within the City of Southlake, providing a strong visual link to
the Town Center mixed use development to the south.
Land Use:
The subject property is classified as “Public/Semi-Public, Mixed Use and is within the Mixed Medical and Office Overlay” on the City’s Consolidated Land Use Plan. As indicated on the
Concept Plan, the proposed development of the ministry and other uses conforms with the Consolidated Land Use Plan’ definition of uses.
Zoning:
In order to develop the property in a manner that is suitable to the needs of a faith based not for profit
ministry, the property will need a zoning amendment. Currently zoned per NR-PUD #480-222a ministry uses are permitted without the need for an S.U.P. We are requesting to amend the zoning
of the property to NR-PUD #480-222, O1-O2. All other uses which currently require an S.U.P. under NR-PUD #480-222a will continue to require an S.U.P. under the requested zoning amendment.
Additionally, we are requesting the current height restriction of 70’ (seventy feet), approved in NR-PUD #480-222a, be included and approved under this requested rezoning.
The subject property, Lot 1, Block 1, Gateway Church — 114 Campus, shall abide by the uses and regulations established by NR-PUD#480-222a with the following exceptions:
Lot 1, Block 1, Gateway Church – 114 Campus:
The City Council shall have the right to grant a variance to the building setback, buffer yard, maximum impervious coverage, maximum lot coverage, landscape, and parking requirements
at site plan approval. To receive a variance, the applicant must demonstrate one of the following:
A variance will reduce the impact of the project on surrounding residential properties; or
Compliance with the ordinance(s) would impair the architectural design or creativity of the project; or
A variance is necessary to assure compatibility with surrounding developed properties; or
A variance is necessary to assure compatibility with surrounding zoning heights, consistent with the Gateway Church Property.
The proposed construction is an addition to an existing project that does not meet the requirement of the ordinance(s); or
A variance is necessary to allow the project to fit in with the natural topography of the site.
Connectivity shall be required between the City’s trail and sidewalk network and the proposed buildings. These connections shall be provided at the Site Plan stage.
There will be no impervious coverage permitted in a flood plain with the exception of pedestrian trails, roadways and required parking and will only be permitted if flood plain is adjusted
so downstream properties have no adverse impact.
Under “Design Guidelines:, state the following:
The Ministry shall design the site and buildings in accordance with the NR-PUD #480-222, O1-O2 that governs the site, and the SH 114 Corridor Overlay requirements.
Site Entrances: the design and location of the site entrances are critical in setting the proper tone when visitors enter the site. The concept behind the design is to create a campus
like fell that provides a consistent experience from the street to the building. Circulation, whether vehicular or pedestrian, will be clear, concise, and intuitive. Signage will play
an important role in supporting this vision. The signage will comply with the zoning requirements.
Site Lighting: lighting will be an important site consideration, not only for security, but to promote pedestrian activity. The fixture styles will be selected to compliment the architectural
vernacular and shall comply with the zoning requirements. Lighting will generally point away from adjacent properties, being mindful of light spillage and meet Southlake ordinance standards.
As a goal, lighting will be more intense at the buildings, and taper off as you approach the edges of the site.
Building Entrances: an important factor in making the circulation intuitive is designing the building entrances so that they are prominent. The design will focus on ensuring new visitors
intuitively know where the front door and drop off for children is located. As a result, our building designs will incorporate typical entrance features such as covered drop offs, windows
to announce lobby spaces, and outdoor plaza spaces to promote fellowship before and after services. All elements will be compatible with the overall style and detail of the campus.
Facades: the Ministry’s vision is to create a building that has a warm and invited feeling and are placed eloquently within the site. The use of the natural grade and open spaces throughout
the site will mitigate building height.
Building Materials: the primary building material shall be pre-cast concrete panels with masonry accents. Other materials may be used to accent materials, including but not limited to
synthetic stucco, tile, composite metal panels, painted steel or other materials.
Under “Environment Resource Protection, state the following:
To the extent possible, the proposed site design shall protect the existing ponds and maximize tree preservation.
Any floodplain and wetlands on the property shall be impacted to the minimum extent possible and a contiguous open space network shall be provided through the site that incorporates
a natural, 8’ (eight foot) trail.
Bookstore, coffee shop, restaurant, recording studio, production studio, television studio, event center and assembly venues shall be permitted accessory uses.
The maximum building height for an office building within the “NR-PUD #480-222, O1-O2” classification shall be 70’ (seventy feet) in height and 4 (four) stories, per the height calculation
standards in Zoning ordinance #480-222a.
The required parking ratio for ministry uses shall match the current city ordinance of 1 parking space per 3 auditorium seats at a minimum, but additional parking shall be permitted
at the discretion of the ministry. All other parking requirements shall be calculated per the then current City of Southlake parking requirements for the particular use.
Please Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have as you prepare additional comments. We look forward to hearing from you in the next few weeks.
Sincerely,
/
Scott Nelson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal