Item 7B - Narrative &--, VL K
July 28, 2026
Corridor Planning Committee
City of Southlake
1400 Main Street, Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Reference: Sanctuary Addition and Renovations
St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church
VLK Project No. 25-0155.00
Dear Committee Members:
In response to the City's request, please find attached the updated S-P-2 Site Plan District Regulations
for St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church (see Exhibit A). The regulations have been updated from
those contained in Exhibit B of Ordinance No. 480-321 to reflect the current project scope, with all
proposed revisions shown as tracked changes.
Regarding the tower height and location: the proposed bell tower is 43 feet in height, measured from
finish floor to the top of the parapet. This falls within the existing S-P-2 regulations, which permit the bell
tower to be up to one hundred (100)feet to its highest point, and no amendment to that provision is
required. The height is noted here for the City's reference. The tower is proposed more than 200 feet from
the north property line and approximately 115 feet from the west property line to fit within the proposed
addition to the sanctuary.
The revised regulations also clarify the sanctuary setback as it relates to additions to the existing building.
Rather than applying a fixed setback distance from the property line, the proposed updated language
provides that additions to the existing building shall not extend further toward the north property line than
the northernmost wall of the existing building.
In addition to the sanctuary building addition, the church proposes a small storage building to be
constructed of masonry materials to match the existing building. This will be located near the parking lot
and serve as enclosed storage for sporting goods utilized on the fields south of the parking lot.
Also attached to this letter are revisions to the site plans and landscape plans that address comments
from the initial submission.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Sinc I ,
Justi . Hiles, AIA, NCARB, LEED®AP BD+C
Chief Information Officer
Attachments:
Exhibit A, proposed S-P-2 Site Plan District Regulations
Site Plan revisions
V L
May 11, 2026
Planning &Zoning Commission
City of Southlake
1400 Main Street, Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
Reference: St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church
Sanctuary Addition & Renovations
223 S Pearson Ln, Southlake, TX
VLK Project No. 25-0155.00
Dear Members of the Planning &Zoning Commission:
On behalf of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, VLK respectfully submits this Site Plan application
for the proposed Sanctuary Addition and Renovation located at 223 S Pearson Lane in Southlake, Texas.
The following narrative describes the scope of work, the nature of the use, and the operational
characteristics of the facility, along with a summary of the driveway spacing variance submitted
concurrently with this application.
Protect Description
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church is an established religious institution that has served the
Southlake community since 1982. The church campus occupies an 11.79-acre site, zoned SP-2, and
currently includes a 6,100 sq. ft. sanctuary and office transept, a Parish Hall constructed in 1994, a
Memorial Garden and columbarium, and a 133-space concrete parking lot. A renovation of the west half
of the Parish Hall was completed in fall 2025.
The proposed project consists of a 2,600 sq. ft. addition to the west and south of the existing sanctuary,
along with interior renovations to the existing sanctuary building. The addition introduces a new primary
entry at the south elevation through a 43-foot tower and narthex, public restrooms, and a covered arcade
connecting the new south entry to the existing parish hall. Interior renovations will expand seating
capacity to just over 250 occupants, remove the existing choir loft to create a single-level accessible
worship space, and update interior finishes throughout.
The project does not expand the parking lot, alter the fire lane, or add new driveways. Five parking
spaces are being removed to accommodate the addition footprint, with two accessible spaces being
relocated. The total parking count following construction will be 133 spaces, which exceeds the required
99 spaces based on the zoning ordinance formula of one space per three seats.
Use and Operations
The site will continue to operate as a place of religious assembly. Primary use is weekend worship
services, with ancillary weekday activities including religious education, small group meetings, pastoral
offices, and community events. The operational profile of the facility has remained consistent since its
original development and will not change as a result of the proposed improvements. Peak parking and
traffic demand is concentrated on Sunday mornings, dispersed across multiple service times, and does
not generate the sustained or concentrated queuing typical of daily-use commercial or institutional
developments.
City of Southlake Planning&Zoning Commission May 11,2026
VLK Project No.25-0155.00 Page 2 of 2
Driveway Spacing Variance
Concurrent with this Site Plan submittal, the applicant requests a variance from the minimum driveway
spacing requirements of the City of Southlake Driveway Ordinance No. 634. The ordinance requires a
minimum centerline-to-centerline separation of 150 feet for driveways on collector streets. South Pearson
Lane is classified as a collector street on the City's Master Thoroughfare Plan.
The two existing driveways serving the property are spaced approximately 87 feet apart, centerline to
centerline—a deviation of approximately 63 feet from the required minimum. Both driveways were
constructed in 1982 as part of the original development of the campus and predate the current ordinance
standards. Neither driveway is being modified, widened, relocated, or reconfigured as part of the
proposed project. No new driveway access is proposed.
The variance is the minimum necessary to allow the project to proceed. The existing driveway
configuration has operated safely throughout the property's 44-year history without documented incident,
and the project does not alter the site conditions that give rise to the nonconformity. A full variance
application narrative, including findings addressing unique conditions, public welfare, and the absence of
special privilege, is included as an attachment to this submittal.
We appreciate the Commission's consideration of this application and welcome the opportunity to discuss
the project in further detail. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions.
Sincerely,
Justi Hiles, AIA, NCARB, LEED®AP BD+C
Chief Information Officer
JSH/
Attachments:
Site Plan Application Package and associated documents
Driveway Spacing Variance Application
cc: File