Item 6E - Staff Report
Case No.
ZA26-0026
S T A F F R E P O R T
May 22, 2026
CASE NO: ZA26-0026
PROJECT: Specific Use Permit for The Novus Academy EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: What If We Could dba The Novus Academy is requesting approval of a Specific
Use Permit to allow for a portable building on property described as Lot 4R7R1,
Green Meadow Subdivision and located at 2250 E. Continental Blvd. Current
Zoning: “S-P-1” Detailed Site Plan District. SPIN Neighborhood #8.
DETAILS: The purpose of this request is to seek approval of a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for
portable buildings for storm shelters, approximately 320 square feet each, at The
Novus Academy. Each structure is a steel container measuring 8 feet wide, 8 feet
6 inches tall, and 40 feet long, designed to meet ICC 500 storm shelter
requirements. The site currently has 113 parking spaces. Based on the applicable
parking requirements, the remaining parking supply is adequate to serve the
school.
The applicant is requesting approval for a maximum of five portable storm shelters
to be placed on-site, which is required to accommodate the estimated full
calculated occupant load of 320 people per the building code. Per the school, the
occupant load for the currently occupied portion of the lease space is 108 people
including all staff and students. The estimated occupancy load by the requirements
of the school, with full build-out of the lease space is 172 people, including the
anticipated additional staff and students. The site plan indicates the proposed
locations of where each storm shelter could potentially be placed based on the
school’s growth.
The occupancy and required number storm shelters are shown in the table below:
Occupancy Number of People
(Staff and Students)
Number of Storm
Shelters Required
Total Occupancy Load Per
School (Present Day) 108 2
Maximum Calculated
Buildout Per School Estimate 172 3
Maximum Calculated
Building Code of lease space 320 5
On May 7, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval,
granting a variance to allow the permit to last the length of the lease (11 years) and
any lease extension.
Department of Planning & Development Services
Item 6E
Case No.
ZA26-0026
VARIANCES: Approval of a portable building shall be on a temporary basis only. Any permit
granted hereunder shall be for a maximum period of three (3) years, unless
otherwise approved by the City Council. (Variance requested to allow the storm
shelter to remain the duration of the Novus Academy’s occupancy and use of the
principal building)
ACTION NEEDED: 1) Conduct a Public Hearing
2) Consider Approval of Specific Use Permit
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
(C) Specific Use Permit Review Summary No. 3, dated May 22, 2026
(D) Surrounding Property Owners Map & Responses
(E) Resolution No. 26-018
STAFF CONTACT: Cyndi Cheng (817) 748-8269
Jennifer Crosby (817) 748-8195
Case No. Attachment A
ZA26-0026 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OWNER: Gateway Church
APPLICANT: The Novus Academy
PROPERTY SITUATION: 2250 E. Continental Blvd.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 4R7R1, Green Meadow Subdivision
LAND USE CATEGORY: Industrial
CURRENT ZONING: “S-P-1” Detailed Site Plan District
HISTORY: A zoning change (ZA74-009) from Agricultural to Heavy Commercial was
approved December 3, 1974.
A final plat (ZA74-009) for Green Meadow Subdivision, Tracts 1-5 was
approved Dec. 3, 1974.
The zoning was changed from Heavy Commercial to “I-2” Heavy Industrial
with the adoption of Ord. No. 334 and the official zoning map in August of
1986.
The zoning was changed from “I-2” Heavy Industrial to “I-1” Light Industrial
with the adoption of Ord. No. 480 and the official zoning map in September
of 1989.
A plat revision (ZA98-112) for Lot 4R was filed August 9, 1999.
A plat revision (ZA01-050) for Lots 4R1-4R7 was filed August 15, 2001.
A plat revision (ZA03-104) for Lots 4R2R-4R7R, 4R8 and 4R9 was filed
January 31, 2005.
A building permit for Building 3 was issued September 14, 2007.
An amended plat (ZA07-038) was filed September 28, 2007.
A Zoning Change and Site Plan (ZA25-0008) and a Specific Use Permit
(ZA25-0009) was approved concurrently on April 15, 2025 to allow for a
private school under the “S-P-1” zoning district, subject to the term of the
lease and any extensions.
SOUTHLAKE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Consolidated Future Land Use Plan
The future land use designation for the site is “Industrial”.
Case No. Attachment A
ZA26-0026 Page 2
Definition and Purpose:
Industrial and business service development that is relatively free of
unwanted side effects, such as unsightliness, noise, odor, glare, vibrations,
etc., is permitted in the Industrial category. If meeting the qualification of
relatively free of unwanted side effects, suitable types of development in
the Industrial category can be characterized by the manufacturing,
processing, packaging, assembly, storage, warehousing and/or distribution
of products. Ancillary commercial and retail activities associated with these
uses are permitted. Public Parks / Open Space and Public / Semi‐Public
activities as described above may be permitted if surrounding industrial
uses do not pose hazards and are sufficiently buffered.
Mobility & Master Thoroughfare Plan
East Continental Boulevard is a 84’ undivided two lane collector road
(C2U). South Kimball Avenue is an 88’ four lane divided arterial road
(A4D).
Pathways Master Plan & Sidewalk Plan
The site is served by existing sidewalks along E Continental Blvd. and
S. Kimball Ave.
UTILITIES: There is a 15’ drainage easement on the property. An Encroachment
and Joint Use Agreement is requested to locate the storm shelters
within a drainage easement. This easement is only occupied by a
private underground storm pipe and does not carry any surface
drainage. The encroachment of the storm shelters will not impact
drainage.
CITIZEN INPUT: This item was heard at the May 18, 2026 Corridor Planning Committee.
PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION ACTION:
May 7, 2026; Approved (6-0) subject to the Staff Report dated May 7,
2026, and subject to the Specific Use Permit Review No. 2, dated May
1, 2026, granting a variance to allow the permit to last the length of the
lease (11 years) and any lease extension.
STAFF COMMENTS: Attached is the Specific Use Permit Review Summary No. 3, dated May 22,
2026.
45.20 SPECIFIC REGULATIONS FOR PORTABLE BUILDINGS NOT
OTHERWISE PERMITTED UNDER THIS ORDINANCE
a. Approval of a portable building shall be on a temporary basis only.
Any permit granted hereunder shall be for a maximum period of three
(3) years, unless otherwise approved by the City Council. (Variance
requested to allow the storm shelter to remain the duration of the
Novus Academy’s occupancy and use of the principal building)
b. All portable buildings shall be constructed in accordance with the
appropriate state or federal code which regulates their construction or
Case No. Attachment A
ZA26-0026 Page 3
shall meet all requirements of the City's building code.
c. Portable buildings shall:
1) Provide parking in accordance with use of the portable
buildings as prescribed in Section 35 of this ordinance; (Not
applicable, has no parking impact.)
2) Be skirted on the front and sides; (Not applicable, building sets
flush to the paved surface.)
3) Provide foundation landscape planting consisting of one (1)
five-gallon shrub per four (4) linear feet around skirting
excluding entrances; (Not applicable, building has no skirting
and rests on a paved surface)
d. Portable buildings shall be maintained in a neat and presentable
condition at all times. Upon expiration of the specific use permit, the
portable building shall be immediately removed and the premises shall
be restored to their previous condition.
e. The site plan submitted with the application shall contain a narrative
explanation describing the applicant's plans to transition the portable
building to a permanent structure.
f. Portable buildings may also be subject to other requirements as
deemed necessary in order to promote public health, safety, welfare
and aesthetics.
Case No. Attachment B
ZA26-0026 Page 4
Case No. Attachment C
ZA26-0026 Page 5
SPECIFIC USE PERMIT REVIEW SUMMARY
Case No.: ZA26-0026 Review No.: Three Date of Review: 05/22/26
Project Name: Specific Use Permit – The Novus Academy
APPLICANT: OWNER:
The Novus Academy Gateway Church
2250 E. Continental Blvd. 500 S. Nolen Dr., Suite 300
Southlake, Texas 76092 Southlake, Texas 76092
CITY STAFF HAS REVIEWED THE ABOVE REFERENCED PROJECT RECEIVED BY THE CITY ON
04/06/26 AND WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS. THESE STIPULATIONS ARE HEREBY
MADE CONDITIONS OF SITE PLAN APPROVAL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AMENDED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED FURTHER CLARIFICATION, PLEASE
CONTACT CYNDI CHENG AT (817) 748-8269.
E-mail: ccheng@ci.southlake.tx.us
Cyndi Cheng
Planner I
Phone: (817) 748-8269
* A specific use permit shall automatically expire if a building permit is not issued and
construction begun within six (6) months of the granting of the specific use permit or if the use
shall cease for a period of six (6) months.
45.15 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
(As amended by 480-VVV)
The following regulations shall govern the location and use of any accessory building requiring a
Specific Use Permit:
a. Accessory buildings shall be required a permanent foundation and shall be located no closer
than ten feet (10') to a property line located in the rear yard.
b. Separation requirements between accessory and principal buildings shall be determined by
the most recently adopted International Building Code (IBC).
c. No accessory building shall be constructed upon a lot until the construction of the principal
building or use has actually been commenced, and no accessory building shall be used
unless the main building in a lot is completed and used.
d. Accessory buildings shall be used only in compliance with individual district regulations.
e. Accessory buildings shall not exceed one story or fourteen feet (14') in height.
f. No accessory building shall be located forward of the principal building on the lot.
g. All accessory structures requiring a Specific Use Permit shall meet the requirements set forth
in Masonry Ordinance No. 557-A, as amended.
Case No. Attachment C
ZA26-0026 Page 6
h. Masonry material used shall match the masonry material of the principal structure on the lot.
i. Roof (design, pitch, and materials) to be the same type as the principal structure roof.
Tree Conservation/Landscape Review
Case No. ZA26-0026 Review No. One Dated: April 8, 2026 Number of Pages: 1_
Project Name: 2250 E. Continental Blvd. (SUP)
Contact: Keith Martin Phone: (817) 748-8229 Fax: (817) 481-5713
=============================================================================
==
The following comments are based on the review of plans received on March 30, 2026 .
Comments designated with a number may be incorporated into the formal review to be considered by
either the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council. Other items will not be addressed by
either the P&Z or City Council. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the department
representative shown above and make modifications as required by the comment.
=============================================================================
==
LANDSCAPE COMMENTS:
* No comments
* Indicates informational comment.
# Indicates required items comment.
E-mail: kmartin@ci.southlake.tx.us
Keith Martin
Landscape Administrator
Phone: (817) 748-8229
Public Works/Engineering Review
Review No. 1 Date: 4/14/2026
Case No. ZA26-0026 Special Use Permit
Project Name: 2250 E. Continental Blvd
Contact: Sandy Endy, P.E.
Email: sendy@ci.southlake.tx.us
Phone: (817) 748-8033
The following comments are based on the review of plans received on: 3/30/2026
Case No. Attachment C
ZA26-0026 Page 7
It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the department representative shown above and make
modifications as required by the comment.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
1. The proposed structure location is within a dedicated drainage easement and will be on top of
a private storm pipe. It is recommended that another location be used for the proposed
structure, however, if another location is not feasible, the following items will be required:
a. An executed encroachment agreement. The encroachment agreement application can
be found here: https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/DocumentCenter/View/36142/Joint-
Use-and-Encroachment-Agreement---Public-Easement. The agreement shall be
uploaded to the encroachment agreement permit through the online portal. Since this
is only a drainage easement, the franchise utility signatures are not required.
b. Per direction from the City Engineer, a Stormwater Maintenance Agreement will be
required since the structure will be located directly on top of the private storm pipe.
The agreement shall be for the entire Green Meadows development and should be
completed by the property owner. The standard agreement can be found here:
https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cityofsouthl
ake.com%2FDocumentCenter%2FView%2F39710%2FMaintenance-Agreement-Final-
Draft-11022%3FbidId%3D&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK. The agreement shall be
uploaded to the MS4 Permit that can be applied for through the online portal.
Sandra Endy, P.E.
Development Engineer
Phone: (817) 748-8033
E-mail: sendy@ci.southlake.tx.us
Building Inspections Review
No comments.
Susan Hernandez
Deputy Building Official
Phone: (817) 748-8238
E-mail: shernandez@ci.southlake.tx.us
Fire Department Review
GENERAL COMMENTS:
Pending Fire Comments.
Lorenzo Chavez
Fire Marshal
Phone: (817) 748-8671
E-mail: lchavez@ci.southlake.tx.us
Case No. Attachment C
ZA26-0026 Page 8
General Informational Comments
* No review of proposed signs is intended with this site plan. A separate building permit is required
prior to construction of any signs.
* Building permit(s) are required prior to commencement of any work.
* All lighting must comply with the Lighting Ordinance No. 693, as amended.
SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS MAP & RESPONSES
Case No. Attachment D
ZA26-0026 Page 9
SPO
#
Owner Zoning Physical Address Acreage Response
1 VARIOSYSTEMS INC I1 901 S KIMBALL AVE 0.58 NR
2 DENMISS LLC I1 910 S KIMBALL AVE 0.09 NR
3 DENMISS LLC I1 930 S KIMBALL AVE 1.48 NR
4 925 SOUTH KIMBALL LLC I1 925 S KIMBALL AVE 0.27 NR
5 THE DENEUI LIVING TRUST I1 920 S KIMBALL AVE 0.00 NR
6 5917 HELMICK AVE LLC I1 940 S KIMBALL AVE 0.58 NR
7 WESTGATE OFFICE PARK OWNERS I1 2271 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.54 NR
8 ELECTRO MEDICAL SYSTEMS LLC I1 2150 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 1.12 NR
9 COGENT POINT LLC I1 2275 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.01 NR
10 COGENT POINT LLC I1 2275 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.01 NR
11 CORNERSTONE WEALTH MGT LLC I1 2273 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.02 NR
12 SLM PROPERTIES LLC I1 2273 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.02 NR
13 BHS VENTURES LLC I1 2271 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.03 NR
14 SIMPLY STORAGE SOUTHLAKE LLC I1 960 S KIMBALL AVE 0.07 NR
15 BHS VENTURES LLC I1 2271 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.04 NR
16 PFA PROPERTIES LLC I1 2241 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.44 NR
Case No. Attachment D
ZA26-0026 Page 10
17 ARMOR CAPITAL LLC I1 2221 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.29 NR
18 KEITH, WENDELL P I1 2211 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.03 NR
19 MDC COAST 17 LLC I1 2201 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 0.37 NR
20 EXPLORER PIPELINE CO I2 2200 MUSTANG CT 0.26 NR
21 SIMPLY STORAGE SOUTHLAKE LLC I1 950 S KIMBALL AVE 1.32 NR
22 JOURNEY 5 VENTURES LLC I1 2251 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 1.36 NR
23 SUPERINTENDENT OF CARROLL ISD NR
24 SUPERINTENDENT OF GRAPEVINE
COLLEYVILLE ISD
NR
25 SUPERINTENDENT OF NORTHWEST
ISD
NR
26 SUPERINTENDENT OF KELLER ISD NR
1000 GATEWAY CHURCH SP1 2250 E CONTINENTAL BLVD 2.70
Responses: F: In Favor O: Opposed To U: Undecided NR: No Response
Notices Sent: Twenty-three (23)
Responses Received within 300’: None