1-Item ReceivedCOOPER & STEBBINS
May 11, 2007
Mr. Ken Baker
Mr. Dennis Killough
City of Southlake
1400 Main Street, suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Re: Summit Park/Block 22 Retaining Wall
Gentlemen:
In response to your questions regarding the retaining wall along a portion of the boundary of
Summit Park and the current Block 22 development, attached is a drawing illustrating the limits
and height of the wall. As discussed, the wall is necessitated by earlier field changes made to the
grading within Summit Park, which were made in order to enhance the protection of trees within
the Park. While the wall is unavoidable given the realities of the final grades within Summit
Park, its design is complementary to existing Park improvements and maintains the desired
connectivity to the Park.
The Block 22 Site Plan as submitted and approved (and as discussed during the approval
process) did not include a retaining wall. This Plan was based on the designed grades for
Summit Park, which at the time indicated that no wall was required. During the grading of the
Park, we worked with the City to monitor the impact to existing specimen trees and their root
structures. Field modifications to the grading were made in certain instances to provide an
additional measure of protection to the trees. While these changes achieved the desired end
result of tree preservation, they led to a higher than anticipated finished grade at the Park's
southern boundary, which in turn resulted in the need for a retaining wall.
Unfortunately, these field changes were not picked up in the final civil drawings for Summit
Park, and the need for the wall was not discovered until the grading was underway on the
commercial potion of the Block. Once we became aware of the issue, we looked for ways to
reduce the wall height as much as possible, consistent with the original design intent.
1256 MAIN STREET, SUITE 240, SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS 76092
T (817) 329 8400 F (817) 251 8717
May 11, 2007
Page 2
The wall's design is complementary to existing Park improvements, and maintains the desired
connectivity between the new East/West Street and Summit Park. The extent of the wall will be
limited to the middle 50% of the Block between Summit Avenue and Central Avenue, and will
range in height from approximately 1' to a maximum height of approximately 5'.
The wall will be constructed of the same Millsap Stone and "ashler pattern' coursing used
throughout Summit Park. To ensure a safe environment is maintained, a wrought iron railing
with vertical pickets will be installed on top of the wall, consistent with existing design found
elsewhere around the Park (we'll forward a photo for reference on Monday).
Please note that west of the retaining wall, consistent with the original design intent, the potential
stairway/pathway connection to the Park is still available and is not affected by the wall.
I hope you will find the information herein responsive to your request. As always, please don't
hesitate to call if you have any questions, or require any additional information.
Sincerely,
Frank L. Bliss
Executive Vice President
cc: Brian R. Stebbins
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