ZA25-0009-SUP-2250 E Continental Blvd
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
ZA25-0009
• Specific Use Permit for Novus Academy for 2250 E. Continental Blvd, on property
described as Lot 4R7R1 Green Meadow Subdivision.
• Current Zoning: “I1” Light Industrial District
• Requested Zoning: “S-P-1” Detailed Site Plan District with “I1” Light Industrial District
uses.
• The purpose of this request is to seek approval for a specific use permit for a private
school for Novus Academy.
Dear Property Owner,
Your property has been identified as being within 300 feet of the above referenced Specific Use
Permit application.
If you wish to register your opposition or support to this case, you may complete the attached
Notification Response Form and either mail to the Planning & Development Services Department
(address listed at the top of notice) or email (e-mail listed at the bottom of the notice).
You are encouraged to follow the requested action through final approval because changes
are often made during the review process.
Please contact the Planning and Development Services Department at (817) 748-8621 or
mburnett@ci.southlake.tx.us if you have any questions.
Thank you.
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
1400 Main St.; Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Phone: (817)748-8621
www.cityofsouthlake.com Planning and Zoning Commission
Thursday, March 6,2025
6:30 PM
Town Hall Council Chambers
1400 Main Street
Southlake, Texas
Notification Response Form
ZA25-0009:
Specific Use Permit for a private school
for Novus Academy.
Meeting Date: March 06, 2025
Fill out:
Owner: _____________________________
Address: ____________________________
City, State, Zip Code: __________________
PLEASE PROVIDE COMPLETED FORMS VIA MAIL, FAX OR HAND DELIVERY
BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING.
Being the owner(s) of the property so noted above, are hereby
in favor of opposed to undecided about
(circle or underline one)
the proposed application referenced above.
Space for comments regarding your position:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______
Additional Signature: _______________________________ Date: ______
Printed Name(s): _____________________________________________
Must be property owner(s). Otherwise contact the Planning Department. One form per property.
Phone Number (optional): ______________________________________
Direct questions and mail responses to:
City of Southlake
Planning & Development Services
Notification Response
1400 Main St; Ste 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Phone : (817) 748-8621
January 24, 2025
Department of Planning
and Development Services
1400 Main Street, Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Re: What If We Could dba The Novus Academy
Zoning and Specific Use Permit Applications
2250 E. Continental Blvd., Southlake TX 76092
To Whom It May Concern:
Regarding the Zoning Change and Specific Use Permit applications submitted for 2250 E. Continental Blvd.,
The Novus Academy (“Novus”) is a small K-12 private school that has served students since 2014 with
learning differences and other special learning challenges. For the 2025-2026 school year, we currently
anticipate starting with approximately 50 enrolled students from 40 families, along with 17 staff members.
The building in Grapevine that Novus has leased for several years is being purchased by a buyer who is
interested in occupying the entire building once Novus’ lease expires on May 31, 2025. Since November
2022, Novus has been diligently searching for a new location within the surrounding area. To say that Novus
was beyond thrilled to learn on January 7, 2025 that Gateway Church was willing to enter into a 10-year lease
(with additional renewal options) with Novus is an understatement.
It is essential for Novus to quickly relocate to this optimal location and continue to provide its specialized and
important services to our existing families in Southlake and the surrounding communities. Most of our
families reside in Southlake and the nearby cities of Grapevine, Trophy Club, and Colleyville, and there are no
other specialized schools in the area that appropriately serve this particular population. Novus’ niche is
unique, and Southlake residents would benefit greatly by having additional options for their struggling
students.
The services offered by Novus will not have a negative impact in terms of increasing police, developmental,
transportation, education, water, sewer, or drainage demands. The use is not detrimental to the public health,
safety, or general welfare. More specific considerations are detailed below:
Business Hours: Novus provides academic and before and after-school services to its students, primarily
during the current school day of 7:50 – 3:30. Many students stay until either 4:30 or 5:00 for after-school
clubs and care, and the majority of the staff is generally on site from 7:45 – 3:45 on school days. A summer
program is offered during the month of June, and July and August have minimal staffing needs.
___________________________________________________________
817-488-4555 | 3400 William D. Tate Ave. #1000 | Grapevine, TX 76051
Learning Differently. Together.
TheNovusAcademy.org
Page 2
Traffic: The traffic impact would be minimal to the surrounding area. Please refer to the Traffic Impact
Analysis documents accompanying our applications for further detail.
For morning drop-off, families would enter either from S. Kimball Avenue or E. Continental Drive, circle
behind the building, and form a single-file car line to drop students at the front of the building. The parking
area surrounding the building is wide enough to allow for two lanes of traffic to be utilized or flow at all
times. Cars would exit from either from S. Kimball Avenue or E. Continental Drive. We do not anticipate any
backups onto E. Continental Dr., as there is sufficient room for the ~40 family vehicles to line up around the
building without spilling over to the feeder road or towards the other five buildings comprising Champions
Crossing. The traffic would be very self-contained to the area encircling the building and would not
negatively affect the other businesses.
Also, our morning drop-off and after school pick-up times are staggered, since before and after-school care is
provided, along with Clubs. This further reduces the number of cars entering and leaving the property at
peak times. Further, Novus would be amenable to modifying its hours if needed to accommodate any City
needs or concerns.
Commercial Use: The neighbors of 2250 E. Continental Blvd. are generally classified as Office/Low Rise or
Warehouse-Flex/Multi-Use. They appear to be small businesses, as is Novus. Novus’ use is compatible with
the existing zoning and would not negatively impact the development or neighboring properties.
Last, this approval is very time-sensitive due to three important deadlines: 1) Novus’ requirement to vacate
its current premises by May 31, 2025; 2) Novus’ annual on-campus Summer Learning Camp is scheduled to
begin on June 2, 2025; and opening for the 2025-2026 school year in August, in alignment with Carroll ISD’s
calendar.
In summary, allowing Novus to conduct its special educational programming as a complement to the amazing
Carroll ISD will provide significant benefits to the City of Southlake. Novus already works closely with several
other families and businesses in Southlake, but this will allow us to grow in tandem with the City’s
community. Families and our business partners residing in the surrounding geography will contribute to
Southlake’s sales tax revenue and fill Gateway’s space with a known and stable tenant (versus another
unknown commercial tenant that requires no input from the City Council). Novus is an established business
that can be quickly operational and beneficial to the City of Southlake, and perhaps even to a member of
your family, a neighbor, or other constituents whose students are struggling in their current learning
environment.
If there is any additional information I can provide in furtherance of this request, I would be happy to do so.
Also, if it is possible for the City to grant us a staff-level approval in order to expedite this request, please let
me know what else is needed in that regard. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Nicolle Galipeau
Chief Operations Officer
817-488-4555 x. 102 | 817-704-3081 (Direct Dial)
ngalipeau@TheNovusAcademy.org