Item 5 - Staff ReportCase No.
ZBA26-0004
S T A F F R E P O R T
April 24, 2026
CASE NO: ZBA26-0004
PROJECT: 1105 Harbor Retreat – Special Exception Use for Domestic Employee or
Family Quarters, a Reduction in the Required Setback, and a Variance to
Accessory Building Height
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Michael Blair is requesting a Special Exception Use per Zoning Ord. No. 480, as
amended, Section 44.12(1) for domestic employee or family quarters, Section
44.12(6), for a reduction in the required setback from property lines for a residential
accessory building, and a Variance to Section 11.5.j(iii) requiring accessory buildings
to not exceed 20 feet in height, on property described as Lot 5, Block 4, Harbor Oaks,
and located at 1105 Harbor Retreat, Southlake, Tarrant County, Texas. Current
Zoning: “SF-1A” Single Family Residential District. SPIN Neighborhood #2.
REQUEST: The purpose of this request is to seek approval for:
1) A Special Exception Use for a domestic employee or family quarters.
2) A Special Exception Use to reduce the required rear setback for an accessory
building. The required setback is 40 feet from the rear property line. A
setback of 21 feet 6 inches is requested.
3) A Variance to the maximum building height for the accessory building. The
maximum permitted height is 20 feet. The requested height is 23 feet 9
inches.
Per Section 11.5 (j) of Zoning Ordinance No. 480, as amended, accessory structures
that individually are equal to or exceed 500 square feet shall meet the principal
structure setback standards. The barn is approximately 1,508 square feet and is
therefore subject to these requirements. Under the underlying “SF-1A” zoning district,
a rear yard setback of 40 feet is required.
The existing barn is believed to have been erected prior to the current regulations of
Zoning Ordinance No. 480.
The applicant is requesting approval to convert the existing barn into family living
quarters while maintaining a setback of 21 feet 6 inches from the rear property line.
The proposed metal barn will be located adjacent to the existing pool and will have an
approximate height of 23 feet 9 inches, measured from the ground to the midpoint of
the roof pitch.
ACTION NEEDED: 1) Conduct a Public Hearing
2) Consider Approval of a SEU and a Variance
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
ZBA26-0004
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
(C) Surrounding Property Owners Map and Responses
(D) Plans and Support Information
STAFF CONTACT: Cyndi Cheng (817) 748-8269
Jennifer Crosby (817) 748-8195
Case No. Attachment A
ZBA26-0004 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OWNER: Michael Blair
APPLICANT: Same as Owner
PROPERTY SITUATION: 1105 Harbor Retreat
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 5, Block 4, Harbor Oaks
LAND USE CATEGORY: Low Density Residential
CURRENT ZONING: “SF-1A” Single Family Residential District
HISTORY: The property was annexed in 1974.
The property was zoned “A-3” and the Harbor Oaks Addition Preliminary Plat
was recorded in 1980 (ZA79-49).
A Revised Plat was recorded in 1980.
The property was zoned “SF-1” with the adoption of Zoning Ordinance No.
334 in 1986.
The property was zoned “SF-1A” with the adoption of Zoning Ordinance No.
480 in 1989.
UTILITIES: The property is served by a 6-inch water line main along Harbor Retreat
Street. There is no existing sewer line.
STAFF COMMENTS: The application and exhibits are provided in this Staff Report.
The findings necessary for the Board to approve a Special Exception Use are
below:
1) No special exception shall be granted unless the Board finds that the
requested exception is specifically permitted by the zoning ordinance.
2) That the location of the proposed activities and improvements is
clearly defined on the concept plan or plot plan, and
3) That the special exception is wholly compatible with the use and
permitted development of adjacent properties either as filed or subject
to such limitations and requirements as the board deems to be
necessary to protect adjacent properties.
The requirements for Special Exception Use Permit for domestic employee or
family quarters in Zoning Ord. 480, Section 44.12(1) are below:
a) Domestic employee or family quarters, which are not otherwise
permitted as an accessory use under Section 34.1 of this ordinance,
Case No. Attachment A
ZBA26-0004 Page 2
are permitted in districts zoned AG, RE-5, RE-7, RCS, SF1-A, SF1-B,
SF-2, SF-30, and approved single family residential uses in the DT
zone.
b) Domestic employee or family quarters are only for residents employed
on the premises or family members of the owner of the premises and
shall not be rented or otherwise used as a separate domicile.
c) The quarters shall be accessory to and subordinate to the principal
single-family use and structure except that the gross inhabitable floor
area shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet in districts
zoned SF-30 and shall not be counted toward the sum total of
accessory building area, but shall be counted toward the maximum
permitted lot coverage.
d) All utilities must be on the same meter as the principal dwelling.
e) A separate septic system from the principal dwelling is required if the
quarters are housed other than in the principal dwelling and cannot be
accommodated by the existing system.
A Special Exception Use Permit for a reduction in the required setback from
property lines for a residential accessory building or structure is required, in
accordance to Zoning Ord. 480, Section 44.12 (6).
To authorize in specific cases variances from the terms of this ordinance as will
not be contrary to the public interest, where due to special conditions, a literal
enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance would result in unnecessary
hardship and where the spirit of the ordinance is observed and substantial
justice is done. A variance shall not be granted by the Board of Adjustment
except in accordance with the following:
1) That special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to
the land, structure, or building involved and which are not applicable
to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district;
2) That literal interpretation of the provisions of this ordinance would
deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties
in the same district under the terms of this ordinance;
3) That the special conditions and circumstances do not result from the
actions of the applicant;
4) That granting of the variance requested will not confer on the
applicant any special privilege that is denied by this ordinance to
other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district.
Case No. Attachment B
ZBA26-0004 Page 3
Case No. Attachment C
ZBA26-0004 Page 4
SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS MAP & RESPONSES
Responses: F: In Favor O: Opposed To U: Undecided NR: No Response
SPO
#
Owner Zoning Physical Address Acreage Response
1 ROBERTS, LASTARR SF1-A 1110 HARBOR RETREAT 0.38 NR
2 ROBERTS, LASTARR SF1-A 1100 HARBOR RETREAT 1.32 NR
3 CLAXTON, MARK SF1-A 1115 HARBOR RETREAT 1.63 NR
4 RALEY, BROOKS SF1-A 2905 HARBOR REFUGE 0.47 NR
5 ALHARETH,
ALSHARIFAHDANIA
SF20B 1302 WHITE WING CT 0.01 NR
6 WATERLINE TRUST SF1-A 1095 HARBOR RETREAT 1.06 NR
7 FITTS, JASON T SF20B 1300 WHITE WING CT 0.18 NR
8 DWIVEDI, PRACHI SF20B 1309 WHITE WING CT 0.16 NR
9 JONES, RICHARD A SF1-A 1200 BURNEY LN 0.64 NR
10 HOWELL, DAN SF1-A 1210 BURNEY LN 0.70 NR
11 O'DANIEL, WAYNE B SF1-A 1240 BURNEY LN 0.60 NR
12 O'DANIEL, WAYNE B SF1-A 1230 BURNEY LN 0.59 NR
13 ZHANG, CHENGCHENG SF1-A 1220 BURNEY LN 0.54 NR
14 BARROWS, LESLIE SF20B 1318 BLUE TEAL CT 0.13 NR
15 SANFORD, JEFFREY L SF20B 1300 BLUE TEAL CT 0.06 NR
Case No. Attachment C
ZBA26-0004 Page 5
16 THE ARGENBRIGHT FAMILY
TRUST
SF1-A 1100 BURNEY LN 0.10 NR
17 HYALITE HOMES LLC SF20B 1479 FLAMINGO CIR 0.30 NR
18 CHITWOOD, SCOTT SF20B 1459 FLAMINGO CIR 0.35 NR
19 BEVERLY B. MCDONALD
LIVING TRU
SF20B 1439 FLAMINGO CIR 0.23 NR
20 CUELLAR, MICHAEL A SF20B 1322 WHITE WING CT 0.22 NR
21 OO, PYAYT SF20B 1319 WHITE WING CT 0.22 NR
22 TEER, MARJORIE SUE HEGE SF20B 1320 BLUE TEAL CT 0.29 NR
23 HOFFMANS, ANNE E SF20B 1319 BLUE TEAL CT 0.29 NR
24 SUPERINTENDENT OF
CARROLL ISD
NR
25 SUPERINTENDENT OF
GRAPEVINE COLLEYVILLE ISD
NR
26 SUPERINTENDENT OF
NORTHWEST ISD
NR
27 SUPERINTENDENT OF KELLER
ISD
NR
1000 BLAIR, MICHAEL SF1-A 1105 HARBOR RETREAT 2.06
Notices Sent: Twenty-six (26)
Responses Received within 300’: In Favor: 0 Opposed: 0 Undecided: 0
Case No. Attachment D
ZBA26-0004 Page 6
SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE APPLICATION
AND SUPPORTING EXHIBITS