Item 4E - Staff Report Item 4E
SOUTHLAK...-E
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
April 13, 2026
PROJECT: Sidewalk Variance Request for 1095 Westpark Circle
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Emmanuel Nwankwo is requesting approval of a sidewalk variance for 1095
Westpark Cir., on a property described as Lot 24, I. G. Belcher Abstract 30A, City
of Southlake, Texas, and located at 1095 Westpark Circle, Southlake, Texas.
Current Zoning: "MH" Manufactured Housing District. SPIN Neighborhood #1.
DETAILS: The applicant seeks a variance from Section 5.06 of the Subdivision Ordinance
No. 483, as amended, requiring a 5-foot sidewalk along the street frontage along
T.W. King and Westpark Circle. This variance request is based on the absence
of sidewalks along T.W. King and Westpark Circle. Approval from the City
Council is required for modifications or variations to the Subdivision Ordinance.
ACTION NEEDED: 1) Consider approval of a Sidewalk Variance
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Variance Request
(C) Presentation
STAFF CONTACT: Cyndi Cheng (817) 748-8269
Dennis Killough (817) 748-8072
SWV26-0002
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OWNER: Ground Up Holdings LLC
APPLICANT: Same as Owner
PROPERTY SITUATION: 1095 Westpark Circle
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 24, I. G. Belcher A 30A
LAND USE CATEGORY: Low Density Residential
CURRENT ZONING: "MH" Manufactured Housing District
HISTORY: The property was annexed into the City in 1988.
A Plat Showing (ZA26-0012) is currently pending.
SOUTHLAKE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Consolidated Future Land Use
The Southlake Consolidated Future Land Use Plan designates this tract
as Low Density Residential. Which is defined in the comprehensive plan
as follows.
Purpose and Definition:
Purpose: The purpose of the Low Density Residential land use category
is to provide for and to protect low intensity detached single-family
residential development that promotes the openness and rural character
of Southlake.
Definition: The Low Density Residential category is for detached single-
family residential development at a net density of one or fewer dwelling
units per acre. Net density is the number of dwelling units per net acre,
which excludes acreage in all rights-of-way, easement, and lots
designated for public or private streets. Other suitable activities are those
permitted in the Public Parks / Open Space and Public / Semi-Public
categories. The Low Density Residential category encourages the
openness and rural character of the City of Southlake
Pathways Master Plan & Sidewalk Plan
The City's Subdivision Ordinance, No. 483, as amended, Section 5.06
requires sidewalks at a minimum of 5-foot in width for residential property
construction.
TRANSPORTATION
ASSESSMENT: Master Thoroughfare Plan
Westpark Circle is a local residential street with a minimum 60' right-of-
way and T.W. King is a 60-foot (C2U) two-lane undivided collector road.
Case No. Attachment A
SWV26-0002 Pagel
UTILITIES: The property is served by an 8-inch water line along Westpark Circle and
T.W. King Road. The property is currently on a septic system.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Subdivision Ord. No.483, as amended Section 5.06
Section 5.06 Sidewalks: (As amended by Ord. No. 483-K, Ord. No. 483-
Q)
A. General Provisions: The purpose of this section is to provide for the
orderly, safe and healthful construction of sidewalks within the City and to
promote the health, safety and general welfare of the community. In order
to carry out these purposes, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the
City to guide and regulate sidewalk construction within the City.
B. Requirements:
1. General Requirements. Any new development in the city shall
provide for the location and construction of sidewalks as provided
in this section. This shall include the dedication of necessary
right-of-way or public access easement and the construction of
sidewalks according to the specifications provided herein.
2. Residential Requirements:
a. Applicability: Sidewalks shall be required on both sides of
all public and private streets in all residential subdivisions
platted or replatted after the effective date of this
ordinance. A proposed Pedestrian Access Plan must be
included as an element of any Concept Plan application,
or in the case where no Concept Plan is required, with the
Preliminary Plat application and shall be processed
concurrently with these applications. The Pedestrian
Access Plan shall demonstrate a method for the safe and
effective movement of pedestrians both within the
subdivision and to and from Trail System connections,
where applicable.
b. Southlake Pathways Plan: Regardless of average lot size,
the developer or builder of a residential subdivision platted
or replatted after the effective date of this ordinance shall
install sidewalks and/or trails in accordance with the
Southlake Pathways Plan, as amended.
C. Time of Construction:
i. Owners/homebuilders: Each owner/home builder
within a residential subdivision platted after the
effective date of this ordinance shall construct
sidewalks at the time of construction of the
house. In those circumstances where a sidewalk
would impact the construction of driveways and
access walks, the sidewalks shall be constructed
Case No. Attachment A
SWV26-0002 Page 2
before the City's final building inspection. A
certificate of occupancy will not be issued until
required sidewalks are in place.
C. Sidewalk Specifications:
1. Sidewalk Size and Locations: All sidewalks shall be at
least five feet wide or in conformance with the Trail System
Master Plan, whichever is greater, and shall be located
between the curb or grade line of the public street and the
ROW line or public access easement if approved by the
city, no closer than two (2) feet to the curb or grade
line. The City Engineer or Building Official may alter
alignment so that the sidewalk meanders within the area
between the curb and right-of-way line. (As amended by
Ord. No. 483-Q)
2. Construction Specifications:
a. Concrete Requirements: Concrete for sidewalks
shall have a minimum compressive strength of
three thousand (3,000) psi at twenty-eight (28)
days. The quantity of mixing water shall not
exceed six and one-half(6'/2) U.S. gallons per sack
(ninety-four (94) lbs.) of Portland cement. The
slump of the concrete shall not exceed four (4)
inches. A minimum content of five (5) sacks of
cement per cubic yard of concrete is
required. Sidewalks shall be at least four (4)
inches thick.
b. Reinforcement: Sidewalks shall be reinforced with
3/8 inch No. 3 bars set on 24-inch centers.
C. Expansion and Control Joints: One-half-inch
premolded bituminous expansion joints with No. 4
('/2-inch nominal diameter) smooth dowels shall be
spaced at twenty-foot intervals. Where new work
abuts driveways, pavement, curbs or any other
work, expansion joints shall be filled with
premolded bituminous expansion joint filler or
redwood at least one-inch nominal thickness and
shall extend six (6) inches deep and the entire
width of the concrete sections. Bars used in this
joint shall be sleeved to allow for the movement of
concrete on the bars. The bars shall be smooth
three-eighth (3/8) inch No. 3 bars minimum. No
deformed bars shall be allowed. Sidewalk control
joints shall be grooved three-eights (3/8) inch deep
on four-foot centers.
d. Sidewalk Finish: The surface of the sidewalk shall
have a monolithic broom finish. In no case shall
the surface be left slick or with a glossy finish. The
Case No. Attachment A
SWV26-0002 Page 3
edges of the sidewalk control joints and expansion
joints shall be tooled to a smooth finish not less
than two (2) inches in width. Exposed edges of the
sidewalk shall be rounded with an edger to a radius
of one-half('/2) inch.
e. Fire Hydrant Locations: Where a sidewalk is to be
constructed and a fire hydrant would be within the
forms, the forms shall curve around the fire hydrant
such that the walk misses the fire hydrant by a
minimum distance of one (1)foot. A transition of 10
feet is required in and out of curved areas.
f. Service and Meter Boxes: Where a sidewalk is to
be built and a water meter box would be within the
forms, a precast, concrete box shall replace the
plastic box. This box shall have a hinged metal lid
and be set at an elevation that will be equal to the
finish grade of the sidewalk. If the builder so
chooses, the builder may move the water meter
box outside the forms at the builders expense.
g. Drainage: All sidewalks shall be built at an
elevation that will not impede or be otherwise
detrimental to proper lot drainage, with natural
grade preferred.
3. Wheel-Chair Access Ramps
a. Location: A wheel-chair access ramp must be constructed
at any point a proposed sidewalk intersects a city street
with the exception of walks leading from the street to the
door of a residence. Access ramps must be constructed
with a maximum 1" wide expansion material between the
street and ramp flush with the finish grade.
b. Grade: Care shall be taken to ensure a uniform grade
meeting ADA requirements on the ramp, free of sags and
short grades. Access ramps shall be built to grades no
greater than 1 ft. of fall per 12 feet in length.
C. Surface Finish: Surface texture of the ramp shall be
obtained by coarse brooming, perpendicular to the slope
of the ramp.
d. Curb and Gutter: The normal gutter line shall be
maintained through the area of the ramp. Curb cuts for
ramps shall be located as shown on street plans or as
approved by the City Engineer.
D. Maintenance:
1. Responsibility for Maintenance:
a. It shall be the duty and obligation of all owners and occupants of
real property abutting upon sidewalks in the city, at their own cost
and expense, to maintain and keep the sidewalks bordering their
Case No. Attachment A
SWV26-0002 Page 4
property level and free of depressions, excavations, elevations,
inconsistencies, obstacles, obstructions or encroachments,
natural or artificial, above or below ground level, or which overlap,
impinge upon, or appropriate any part of the sidewalk area or the
space eight (8) feet above it.
b. Any damage done to a sidewalk by the City or a City hired
contractor shall be repaired by the City or contractor.
C. Any damage done to a sidewalk by a franchised utility shall be
repaired by the franchised utility.
2. Provisions for Adequate Maintenance:
a. Inspection and Notification: When the city determines that any
section of sidewalk requires repairs or maintenance, a letter
describing the necessary repairs will be sent to the adjacent
property owner. The letter shall be given:
i. Personally to the owner in writing; or
ii. By regular or certified mail to the owner's post office
address; or
iii. If the letter cannot be delivered by personal service or by
regular or certified mail, by publication in the official newspaper at
least twice within ten (10) consecutive days.
b. Time of Response: The property owner shall have 30 days from
receipt of the letter described in Subsection D.2.a above to make
the necessary repairs. If weather conditions or other extenuating
circumstances dictate, this 30 day period may be extended by the
Director of Public Works, provided that the property owner has
contacted the Public Works Department with a plan for repairs
prior to the expiration of the 30 days .
C. Failure to Repair:
i. City Action: Any repairs that are not performed by the
property owner, and which are determined to be
hazardous to pedestrians or other users of the sidewalk,
may be performed by the city or a city hired
contractor. After completion of repairs, the city shall send
the adjacent property owner a notice which shall include:
(a) identification of the property;
(b) a description of the violation;
(c) a statement that the city made the necessary
repairs;
(d) a statement of the city's charges and expenses
in making the repairs;
(e) an explanation of the property owner's right to
request a hearing within 10 (ten) days from receipt
of the notice; and
(f) a statement that if the owner fails or refuses to
pay the expenses within thirty (30) days from
receipt of the notice, the mayor or his designee
shall obtain a lien against the property by filing with
Case No. Attachment A
SWV26-0002 Page 5
the county clerk a notice of lien and statement of
expenses incurred.
d. Notice to Property Owner: The notice shall be given in the
manner as provided in Subsection a above.
e. Request for Hearing: The property owner may, within ten
(10) days from receipt of the notice in Subsection c above,
file a written request for a hearing before the city council in
order to contest the amount or validity of such costs. Upon
receipt of a timely request, a hearing will be scheduled
before the city council. At the hearing, the city council shall
determine whether the charges are reasonable and were
properly assessed.
i. Filing of Lien: If no hearing is requested, or if a
hearing is held and the charges are determined to
be valid, and the property owner fails or refuses to
pay such charges within thirty (30) days from
receipt of the notice to pay, the city council may
assess the costs incurred against the adjacent
property, whereupon the mayor shall file a notice
of lien and statement with the county clerk of the
costs incurred for the repair of the sidewalk and the
city shall have a privileged lien on the property
second only to tax liens and liens for street
improvements. The notice of lien shall state the
name of the owner if known, and the legal
description of the property. Said privileged lien
shall bear interest at the rate of ten percent (10%)
per annum from the date the work was performed
or payment therefor was made by the city.
ii. Cost Recovery: For any such costs and interest as
aforesaid suit may be instituted and foreclosure
had in the name of the city. Any statement so filed
or a certified copy thereof, shall be prima facia
proof of the amounts expended for any such work
and repairs.
Case No. Attachment A
SWV26-0002 Page 6
Vicinity Map
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Case No. Attachment B
SWV26-0002 Page 7