On May 1, the Southlake Council green-lighted a zoning change and development plan for a residential community called Metairie. It will be located at 500 and 550 W. SH 114, Southlake.

First, the project will include 56 residential lots and three open space lots. The open spaces will be 29 acres and will include sidewalks and trails.

The first reading for the development was held on April 17. The council debated the pros and cons of rezoning from commercial to residential.

Consequently, the council agreed it was in favor of the zoning change to residential. However, several council members had issues with this residential development in particular. The op-posers said it was too dense and the lot sizes were too small. There were also some concerns raised about how the neighborhood would affect the capacity at Walnut Grove Elementary School.

At the May 1 meeting, the owner of the property told the council that since the land is already zoned for commercial. As a result, he will look to develop the property commercially if the zoning is not changed.

Council member Shawn McCaskill originally voted against the development in April but said since then he has worked with the developer to improve the residential development plan.

“I think we have made it better, and what sealed it for me was seeing the commercial proposal, which I think is much worse than this [residential proposal],” McCaskill said. “… I think we’ve tried our best on this, and this is what we’ve got.”

Mayor Laura Hill pointed out that a commercial development would also generate more traffic. A neighborhood development would also be a quieter addition to the city. Hill said she was glad to see many residents involved in the discussion and that the feedback she has heard has been split about 50-50.

“Downzoning is always a tricky situation,” she said.

Council member Shahid Shafi was the only council member who voted against the proposal. Shafi said nothing significant has changed about the plan, and that it is too dense.

The developer said the lot prices would start at $350,000. Homes would begin selling at $950,000.  Hawkins-Welwood Homes is slated to build custom homes for the development.