Item 7ALori Pavne
From: 'Matt and Stacey Wilsman' via Mayor and City Council
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 5:10 PM
To: mayorandcitycouncil@ci.southlake.tx.us
Subject: ZA15-011 Zoning Change and Site Plan for Countryside Bible Church
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to express my concern related to the proposal related to Countryside Bible Church. I happened to be
in the P&Z meeting a few weeks ago for another reason and heard the discussion related to the Zoning Change and
Site Plan for Countryside Bible Church. During this discussion, I learned that the church's plan includes eliminating
the neighbors' access to some trails that have been accessed via church (property.
I am concerned about what ZA15-011 would do to Ride With Pride's business and would like to request that you
require the church to work out an arrangement with neighbors, including Ride With Pride, so the horse riders can
access the trails via the church property. Although I do not have complete knowledge of the history of this situation,
based on the P&Z Meeting, it appears that the church is not willing to work toward a resolution with Ride With Pride
to allow access to the trails from church property, which is concerning to me.
My three children have participated in several different activities at Ride With Pride (RWP), and I know several other
children who have, too. RWP is nestled between homes that have grown up around it, and it feels like a piece of the
country in the middle of our town. It's a wonderful place for children of all riding abilities, and RWP also works with
4-H groups and conducts therapeutic riding sessions for individuals with disabilities. There are few establishments
left in the area that offer horseback riding/lessons and even fewer that are operated as well as RWP. Ride With
Pride offers such wonderful opportunities for children and other horse riders that I think it would be a disservice to
our community to allow damage to be done in the way of lost customers or financial hardship.
In summary, I would hate to see access to the trails eliminated because of the inability to work out an
agreement between the church and neighbors. Additionally, I would hate to see Ride With Pride's
business severely damaged or unable to make ends meet, due to inability to access nearby riding trails in a safe
manner. (The suggestion of accessing the trails from Hwy 114 or the service road as mentioned in the P&Z Mtg.
does not seem safe or practical for the owners, riders or horses.)
I request that you please vote against this proposal by the church until an agreement can be worked out between
the church and neighbors/horseback riders/Ride With Pride.
Thank you
Stacey Bott
1604 Ponderosa Way
Southlake
ARIZONA
TEXAS
NEW MEXICO
OKLAHOMA
FIEF rinamiri Inc
June 16, 2015
Steven Anderson, P.E.
City of Southlake
1400 Main Street, Suite 320
Southlake, Texas 76092
Re: Response to Comments - Traffic Impact Analysis Review — Countryside Bible Church
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Per your request, we have reviewed the developer's responses to our traffic impact analysis review
comments. The developer's responses are shown below for reference purposes and are followed by Lee
Engineering's comments.
Developer's Response #1
The existing cul-de-sac at the end of Countryside Court functions more like an intersection than a
through street. Stop control (stop signs and stop bars) on each of the two driveway approaches on
the cul-de-sac is acceptable to us, with a panel below the stop sign reading "Entering Traffic Does
Not Stop". For a cul-de-sac, there is not truly any through traffic. Everyone will be slowing down to
enter the church. Also, because these are all church driveways, the driveways to the east are
extremely unlikely to produce trips to and from the two driveways at the end of the cul-de-sac, so
although those conflicts are theoretically possible, they are highly unlikely. Merging typically
conflicts where everyone is trying to go the same direction (i.e. to and from White Chapel Blvd) The
only likely conflicts would be between Countryside Bible visitors leaving from the two adjacent
driveways, and the signing should take care of that.
Lee Engineering Comment:
Signage in the manner described should provide acceptable operation.
Developer's Response #2 and #3
2. We have submitted this TIA to TXDOT and are awaiting their response.
3. We concur, and are awaiting a response from TXDOT as well.
Lee Engineering Comment:
Please forward a copy of TxDOT's response(s) to the Traffic Impact Analysis to the City of Southlake
for review.
3030 LB1 Freeway, Suite 1660, Dallas, TX 75234
(972) 248-3006 office (972) 248-3855 fax I www.leeengineering.com Page 1 of 2
Developer's Response #4
4. Regarding u-turns on White Chapel, if u-turns are not feasible at the first median break, traffic could
continue to the proposed round -a -bout further south.
Lee Engineering Comment:
We agree that the future roundabout will provide an acceptable u-turn location as an alternative to
the first median opening.
The responses provided by the developer adequately address our original TIA review comments. If you have
any questions, please contact me at (972) 248-3006. We appreciate the opportunity to provide these services
and are available to address any additional comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
John Denholm, P.E., PTOE
Project Manager
Lee Engineering
TBPE Firm F-450
LEE Cnainmine Page 2 of 2
June 15, 2015
Mayor Laura Hill and Southlake City Council
Members,
I am writing to oppose the current :coning request for
the Countryside Bible Church, pending the outcome
of an agreement with the City of Southlake and the
church to maintain an equestrian/nature trail. This
trail will enable neighbors to re -gain access to the
parks 4 acre equestrian trailhead #t2 that the city
acquired in 1998.
Thank you
Les Grabowski
1285 Shady Oaks
Southlake
June 16, 2015 %Iy�
Dear Mayor Laura Hill,
City Council Members - Shahid Shafi, Shawn McCaskill,
Brandon Bledsoe, Randy Williamson, John Huffman and Gary
Fawks,
I am writing to oppose the current zoning request for
the Countryside Bible Church, pending the outcome of
an agreement with the City of Southlake and the church
to maintain an equestrian/nature trail. This trail will
enable neighbors to re -gain access to the parks 4 acre
equestrian trailhead #2 that the city acquired in 1998.
I want to give you the history of the property and surrounding
park property. Most of you probably don°t even know that
we had an equestrian trail along the church property for many
years.
The equestrian Trail began when my friends and I started
riding on the property all behind my barn n 1979. The
Crumbakers decided to sell their property in 1996
to the Developer, David McMahan, for the Fox Hollow
Neighborhood. The neighbors wanted to make sure the
Equestrian trail would continue because they liked to walk
their dogs and enjoy the nature trails as well. The neighbors
in Ravenaux and Robin Jones worked with the developer and
the City of Southlake to have an equestrian/pedestrian/utility
easement. The vision was to have a nice trail for everyone in
both neighborhoods to enjoy including the many horses that
adjoined the trail. A part of the equestrian trail was
abandoned Aug 20, 2013 by the City Council due to the fact
that we could not get access across the Church property.
April 21, 1998 The Southlake Parks board purchased the
Glosser property and called it Southlake Equestrian Trailhead
#2. 1 took a picture of the sign as soon as it was placed on the
church property. In order for us to get to the 4 acres and
equestrian trail we would cross over what is now the Country
side Bible church.
They probably named the Church Countryside because we
used to ride on the property when they were in the planning
stages of building and naming the church.... it definitely was
country back then. The Countryside Bible church was very
friendly and nice and the members loved seeing the horses
ride by. At one time, the trail went right by the volleyball
court and the church as you can see in aerial photos.
Now fast forward to 2015........ It has been 7 years since The
Country Side Bible Church has asked us to not ride on their
land. They are afraid of liability, safety, cost and
maintenance. We have made several attempts to work out a
solution asking them to donate the drainage ditch along the
west side of the property making it a equestrian/utility
easement for all the neighbors to have access to the parks
property.
When the church built a classroom in 2008, nobody seemed to
know that there was an equestrian trail. The city had
approved the building of a new classroom without considering
the trail. The Church asked us to stop riding on the trail
during the construction stage.
When the classroom was finished the church asked us to stop
riding permanently across their property. We have been in
compliance with their requests, however, every year we have
asked them to reconsider. And Every year they deny our
request.
In closing, I just wanted you to know that we still have a 4
acre parks property that nobody in our neighborhood can
access. If the church would agree to provide an easement to
the City, the future sub divisions in this area will have a nice
park to walk to, they could even walk to church. My horse
farm will not be here forever. We have been teaching children
to ride for 35 years. The future residents would appreciate a
park in this area. My vision a long time ago was for everyone
to enjoy these trails and nature. I'm sad that the trail that I
and several others worked hard to develop have disappeared.
Thank you for listening to my story. I hope the City of
Southlake can work something out with the Countryside Bible
Church to gain access to the drainage ditch which the church
has no use for and make it a beautiful nature/equestrian trail
again.
Thank you!
Doreen L Bruton, Ride With Pride
480 W. Highland Street, Southlake
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June 16,2015
Subject- Ordinance No. 480-328b, (ZA15-011) Zoning change & site plan for
Countryside Bible Church
Att: Mayor Laura Hill and Southlake City Council Members
I am writing to oppose the current zoning request for the Countryside Bible Church,
pending the outcome of an agreement with the City of Southlake and the church to
maintain an equestrian/nature trail, which will enable neighbors to gain access to the
parks 4 acre equestrian Trailhead #2, that the City acquired in 1998.
Tihc oVc5
Ro�b'ert �r�
480 W Highland
Southlake, Tx.
76092
From: ® via Mayor and City Council <mayorandcitycouncilCa bi.southlake.tx.us>
Date: June 14, 2015 at 1:41:05 PM CDT
To: maynrandcitycouncilCo�ci.southiake.tx.us
Subject: E uestrian/ Nature Trail/ Countryside Bible Church
Reply -To:
Mayor Laura Hill and Southlake City Council Members,
I am writing to oppose the current zoning request for the Countryside Bible Church, pending the outcome
of an agreement with the City of Southlake and the church to maintain an equestrian/nature trail. This trail
will enable neighbors to re -gain access to the parks 4 acre equestrian trail head #2 that the city acquired
in 1998.
Thank you,
Kim and Alan Adamcik
501 Fox Glenn
Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 329-0673
From: "David Alexander"
Date: June 15, 2015 at 8:50:18 AM CDT
To: for ci.southlake.tx.us, lace2 ci.southlak=.tx.us, iace4 ci.southlake.cx us_
Cc: "Doreen "Berman, Sherry"
Subject: ZA15-011 Countryside Bible Church nature trail
Laura, Randy, Shawn;
I'm writing the 3 of you because you know that I've been in the horse business for years, and I hope you know
that I'm fair and honest. I also know that you are committed to preserving trails and access when possible. Feel
free to share this if you choose. I copied Doreen Bruton and Sherry Berman because they have both spoken to
me about this.
Doreen Bruton is not a close friend, but I have known her and her husband for many years. I hosted the Town
Hall forum, and the Countryside people clearly did not want to work with her at that time. Doreen contacted me
recently and said the developer was asked to consider a nature trail but someone in the neighborhood has
concerns. I'd like to address these purely as someone familiar with horses and trails.
1. The neighbor is concerned that people will want to haul horses in to ride on this trail. My opinion is the
chance of this are near zero. We have an "unofficial" trail access point next to our house, and an official access
point 3 blocks away (Huse Homeplace) that I was involved in when the area was developed. Some of those
neighbors had the same concern, but since there is no place to park, it has never happened to my knowledge.
The city maintains a wonderful trail access point with ample parking, picnic tables, etc so there is no reason
anyone would haul to an access point for a short little trail like this with no place to park when they can drive
down the street to Walnut Grove.
2. There is a concern that the horses can't safely cross the drainage ditch. I have not seen the drainage ditch
What I can tell you is that if it is safe for a human to walk across, it is perfectly safe for a horse. Horses are
more agile and balanced than humans. If it is really that extreme, perhaps a culvert is in order.
3. There is a concern about traffic and the horses riding across the concrete road. As a member of the
Southlake Mounted Patrol, we spend hours riding on concrete so I can tell you that horses have no problem
walking on roads. With training, horses can be acclimated to walking along with high speed cars. At low speed
horses have NO issues with cars.
Thanks for all your efforts to make Southlake such a wonderful place to live. Let me know if you have any
questions.
Thanks,
David
817/528-8069
From: Ann Bedford [mailto:
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 2:46 PM
To: mayorandcitycouncil(&ci.southlake.tx.us
Subject: Oppose Zoning Request for Countryside Bible Church
Dear Mayor Laura Hill and Southlake City Council Members,
I am writing to oppose the current zoning request for the Countryside Bible Church, pending the
outcome of an agreement with the City of Southlake and the church to maintain an
equestrian/nature trail. This trail will enable neighbors to re -gain access to the parks 4 acre
equestrian trailhead #2 that the city acquired in 1998.
We purchased our 5 acre tract of land and home in 2003 to be used as equestrian property. One
of the primary reasons was due to access to the equestrian trailhead #2 owned by the
city. Access to this trailhead has been denied for 7 years and we would like to regain access to
the trails.
Thank you
Ann Bedford
Sent from my iPad
Dear Mayor Hill,
I live on Shady Oaks Drive in Southlake. I own three horses which I keep on my property. I am
a neighbor of Doreen Bruton and her riding program Ride With Pride. Many years ago I ran the
horse program for a church camp and I have ridden and taught horseback riding all my life.
When my daughter was ready to learn to ride I chose to have her learn at Ride With Pride. I
was qualified to teach her myself but she wanted to be with other kids. The reason I chose
Doreen's program was that she was extremely safety conscious and that is very important to me
. She chooses the horses for her program with great care. They are safe, reliable and healthy.
In recent years I have been involved with their therapeutic riding program as a volunteer. Again,
I have been impressed with Doreens compassion for her students and her concern and
commitment to their safety. I am writing this letter in support of opening back up the
neighborhood trails behind her place. You may ask why are trails important to her program.
Trail riding is a good skill set for her regular program kids; and they really enjoy it. Her children
that are involved in the therapy program will benefit again from increased skills but also from a
sense of accomplishment.
Key to a successful horse program is happy, healthy horses. Horses also enjoy the diversity
and change of scenery that the trails provide. I have heard there is some concern about who will
use the trails. We have numerous trails available at Lake Grapevine and that is where outside
riders will haul. The neighborhood trail would be used by those who border this trail. For
Doreen's program having to haul to the trails is a much bigger undertaking than tacking the
horses at her barn and simply walking back to the trails.
I know there has been some discussion of "what if' in terms of potential accidents. My husband
is an attorney and he has always said to me the "you can not run your life like that'. Doreen's
riding program has been around for many years in Southlake. I consider Ride With Pride a
Southlake institution , and a valuable one at that. Doreen's programs contribute greatly to our
community, and I think we need to do everything we can as a community to keep her programs
thriving in our town.
Sincerely,
Anne Dahlson
Southlake Resident
Neighbor and volunteer of Ride With Pride
From: "� via Mayor and City Council" <mavorandcitvcouncil(a)-ci.southlake.tx.us>
Date: June 15, 2015 at 5:00:33 PM CDT
To:"mavoran dcitycounaI(a)ci.south lake. t_us" <mavorandcitvcouncilCcDci.southlake.tx.us>
Subject: Subject: Equestrian/Nature Trail/Countryside Bible Church
Reply -To: mike golden
Mayor Laura Hill and Southlake City Council Members,
I am writing to oppose the current zoning request for the Countryside Bible Church, pending the outcome
of an agreement with the City of Southlake and the church to maintain an equestrian/nature trail. This trail
will enable neighbors to re -gain access to the parks 4 acre equestrian trailhead #2 that the city acquired in
1998.
Thank you
Mike Golden
1515 Ravenaux Court
From: Joan KAY <
Date: June 15, 2015 at 11:08:37 PM CDT
To: ma orandcit council ci.southlaake.tx.us
Cc: Joan KAY <
Subject: Ride with Pride
Dear Mayor Hill and the Southlake City Council,
My name is Dr Joan P Kay, and I am a Southlake resident and proud Mom of a First Class Scout in Troop
928. 1 am writing to you in regards to Ride with Pride's petition to be able to ride to the equestrian trails in
Southlake. My children have been a part of their lessons and summer program since 2005. My son fondly
remembers taking the horses out of the arena, but my daughter does not. I feel that she is missing a crucial
lesson in riding. It is a completely a different experience to ride a horse in an arena versus out on a trail. It
builds confidence in the rider to handle different situations other than the arena. I feel it also is good for the
mental health of the horses to get out of the arena.
I understand that the church who is contesting the bid is concerned for the safety of their children. I would like
to know how much interaction the horses would have with the children. If it were an issue, would a fence solve
the problem? I mentioned above that my son belongs to Boy Scout Troop 928 in the area. I feel that building a
fence and maintaining the trail would be a perfect volunteer activity for the Boy Scouts in this area. They are
often looking for such opportunities to serve the community.
Ride with Pride has been an integral part of the Southlake community for many years and have taught
countless children the confidence to ride a horse. Please do not limit their ability to continue their fine work.
Thank you,
Joan P Kay, MD
Notification Response Form
ZA15-011
Meeting Date: June 4, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Larson, John H & Kathleen H
335 Ravenaux Dr
Southlake Tx 76092
PLEASE PROVIDE COMPLETED FORMS VIA MAIL, FAX OR HAND DELIVERY
BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING.
Being the qw- mr(s) of the property so noted above, are hereby
in favor of opposed to undecided about
~(circle or underline one)
the proposed Zoning Change and Site Plan referenced above.
Space for comments regarding your position:
5) e 6 s Y.::z C L t Cl—)- -e
-�/� y-
Signature:
Additional Signature:
Date: G �.�
Date:
Printed Name(s): _J f � n
Must be property owner(s) whose name(s) are printed at top. Otherwise contact the Planning Department. One form per property.
Phone Number (optional):
8( ?- — ZS—/— oil
,-w 15 2015
ZA15-011
June 15, 2015
John H. Larson
335 Ravenaux Drive
Southlake TX, 76092
Being the owner(s) of the property so noted above, are hereby IN FAVOR OF the proposed
Zoning Change and Concept Plan referenced above.
Comments
I was happy to see the buffer yard relief for the west boundary included in the phase III site plan.
This was included in the phase H site plan in 2008 as it enabled large old growth trees to be
preserved on both sides my property line with the Church. The drainage improvements made in
2008 during phase II and the retention of the natural screening have performed well since that
time. During the recent drought, the established root systems maintained the trees and privacy
screening. May's record rainfall was handled well by the drainage improvements put in place.
Lighting spilling over from parking areas onto the residential lots is a concern. I want the
applicant to confirm that the lighting to be installed is downward directed to prevent this.
Considerable time was consumed in the P&Z meeting discussing the issue of equestrian right of
way across Church property. The final motion included verbiage requesting the Applicant to
work with the neighbors on this issue. While I am generally supportive of equestrian usage in
the area, I have two concerns that must be addressed should any easement be granted for
equestrian on this property adjacent to mine.
First, there has been discussion about routing horse traffic through the west side drainage areas to
connect to other trails adjacent to the Church. Such a plan would ultimately require horse traffic
to cross the hammerhead turnaround put in place in phase II to meet emergency vehicle
requirements or other paved parking areas of the Church. I would oppose any plan to route
horses through the drainage areas. They were built to very specific specifications put in place by
the City during phase II, including the angle of slope, landscaping requirements and a concrete
cap at the bottom. These specifications are intended to keep the underground drainage conduits
clear of debris so that the drainage system can function properly. Horse traffic would
compromise the landscaping allowing dirt and other debris to enter the drainage conduits. This
in turn can cause an adverse impact to my property.
Second, I am very concerned about any plan that mixes equestrian and vehicular traffic. Prior to
phase 11,1 had a bad experience that involved a teenage rider on Ravenaux Drive. At the time,
the hammerhead was not built and Ravenaux Drive dead ended into a barrier of rail road ties.
One day after picking up my mail, I proceeded to back up my vehicle in order to enter my
driveway. Normally, this is a safe maneuver as there is no traffic on what was then a dead-end
road. But on this day, a teenage rider had suddenly entered the street from the Church's
property, and we nearly collided. The horse and I were both startled. The horse reared up nearly
JU 15 2015 AM9:30
ft-owing the rider. Fortunately, the rider vas able to maintain control and no injuries resulted.
The incident raised the following safety concerns. First, a horse is a powerful animal with a
mind of its own. There is no guarantee as to how it is going to react to a vehicle, pedestrian,
dog, etc. Sufficient safety margin has to be built into the arrangement to allow for the fact that a
horse can suddenly and violently react to an external stimulus. Second, under aged riders do not
exercise the best of judgment. A fidure horse -vehicle encounter may not turn out so well.
If the City has a goal of connecting to the north nature area via an equestrian path across the
Church's property, this could be accomplished phase III as follows. Expand the south parking
area beyond the initial proposal and have some of the existing west parking area returned to
green space suitable as trail. Also, post appropriate signage prohibiting equestrian traffic from
the drainage and vehicular areas (roads and parking lots).
My wife and I both ride and have had the special joy one can experience riding one's animal
while enjoying a beautiful nature experience. As long as drainage and safety concerns are
addressed, I am not opposed to an equestrian trail requirement for this site plan that would enable
other Southlake residents and their future generations to enjoy the same.
Sincerely: John H. Larson June 15, 2015
817-251-0114
JUN 15 201-3 AM9:,%
Melinda Patterson
503 Everwood Court
Southlake, Texas 76092
Southlake Equestrian Trailhead
Dear City Council Members,
June 15, 2015
It has come to my attention that the Southlake Equestrian Trailhead #2 is being
reconsidered. We have many families in Southlake with horses and many who
participate in a variety of service activities surrounding this sort of endeavor.
My son is a Boy Scout for Troop 928 here in Southlake. Our scouts are always
looking for service outreach in our area to complete Eagle Projects and other service
oriented opportunities. One of our Eagle Scouts worked to improve a trail in Bob
Jones Park. The project was vandalized and the Scout community joined together
with the city to help complete the service project for the trail. Some of you might
recall this incident in the news. Southlake Equestrian Trail # 2 could be one such
project. Many lessons were learned for these scouts about a community joining
together to improve our city.
My daughter is a member of 4H and the Southlake Equestrian Trailhead #2 would
be a great opportunity for her as well as other youth groups in Southlake. The 4H
kids need a trail for their animals as well as join together for service project too.
One of the reasons we chose to move to Southlake, is not only for the great school
district, but also the rich history in agriculture and diversity. I am a native Texan
and love that we have access to two large cities, (Dallas and Ft Worth), yet Southlake
provides that small town feeling. Many complain about the rapid growth and
building going on. People fear we will end up looking like Plano or other cities that
have become nothing but a concrete jungle. I love that my kids can ride horses and
feel like they are in the country too.
In closing, the Equestrian Trail #2 would only add to our community. Our kids need
to have access to the great outdoors. There are so many opportunities for service
and many are excited about the possibility of the trail. Southlake is a unique city; lets
keep the rich history going and provide this opportunity for our kids.
Sincerely,
Melinda Patterson