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In a 4-2 vote, the Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commission approved a motion to recommend to the Town Council that 152 acres of the Cross Timbers Conservation Development District, in an area known as Bunn Gourley East, be relabled medium-density residential and retail. The council has to approve the change with a supermajority. Should the council approve the master plan amendment?
Vern Olson, Flower Mound: My first reaction to the issue is touched on in the issue of setting a precedent for cutting trees. We like the trees on our lot, and negotiated with the town and Atmos to save as many as we could. That notwithstanding, from the broader perspective of the town’s image and attractiveness, it’s more important to have the roads taking visitors to and from our town be as attractive as possible, and to most of us that means having a town with a natural and somewhat rural look. That is not achieved by having apartments next to a major road.
As to the apartments, the reality in towns around us is that what start out as upscale or luxury apartments become less attractive as time goes by, and to save money, nobody keeps them up. Eventually they’re so changed that rental and leasing payments go down, and the spiral is established.
As the spiral continues, the negative impact on the visible and financial state of the neighborhood is apparent.
I would vote “Yes” to the proposal if the maximum number of trees could be saved, maintaining the natural look. Also, the town would need to come up with a somewhat restrictive contractual arrangement with the owner and the people moving in. They would be required to agree to a long-term commitment on the part of the residents and the property owner to maintain high standards.
I like the idea of having a variety of housing for a variety of people, but I also want our neighborhoods to look good.
Doug Fulmer, Flower Mound: I don’t see any reason not to approve the change. Toll Brothers does high-quality development like what we want in Flower Mound.
There really aren’t that many trees in the area to be developed and they won’t all be cut down.
It’s not like that land is going to remain “country” forever. I much prefer high-end single-family development to multifamily development. The area is already surrounded by residential development.
I agree that the commercial development is probably not going to flourish for a while. But that risk is on the developers and tenants, as it should be.
The area will bring in additional tax revenue, and a gas well gets shut down.
What’s not to like? Go for it.
On Twitter: @neighborsgo
