Flower Mound Star / July 28, 2006 / Stefanie Ackerman, Staff Writer
Original format: http://starlocalmedia.com/theleader/news/steering-committee-recommends-amendments-to-master-plan/article_3d17c970-3639-5f28-bec6-0f5a6082f294.html
Steering committee recommends amendments to Master Plan
The Flower Mound Master Plan Steering Committee completed its initial draft of recommended amendments to the town's Master Plan.
The committee, which was appointed in December, is halfway through the process of re-evaluating the plan and making sure the town's vision and the current needs of the citizens is communicated through document. The Master Plan is adopted as a set of ordinances that is less subjected to politics. It is a guiding tool in combating the problems that arise during the build out of the town and is used to keep the "country feel" of the blossoming town.
From now through September the group is trying to get community feedback through education meetings. They will hold public meetings with citizens to educate them, but also receive input on refining the committee's suggestions.
"There is always a tendency to chase markets. Chasing markets is insufficient. The whole objective is for people to work and live in Flower Mound. We're working hard on that," said Dennis McKaige, a committee member.
The proposal addresses the four original issues the town council charged the committee with: senior housing, infill, Lakeside and Denton Creek Business District. The committee also addressed eight concerns that were a theme throughout the public input meetings held at the public library since February.
The committee felt they were very clever and proudest of marrying senior housing and the infill issue. They felt Lakeside Business District needed more community and professional input to make a sound recommendation.
"We're afforded some very unique opportunities," said Gerald Robinson. "We have all these nice areas. We don't want a Plano, Richardson, we want a unique piece to the town of Flower Mound. On the west side, we have the chance to have retail and a medical center."
Denton Creek, the western side of town with little development due to lack of infrastructure, does not have zoning for mixed use at this time. Mixed use would allow for commercial and residential within the same building with various numbers of stories and various building heights considered. The committee envisions Denton Creek as an area with light industrial business around the railroad, but also having a gateway that welcomes people driving into town.
The committee also recommends specific language added to the plan for developing medical facilities in the area. Changes to the Master Plan and zoning ordinances are necessary for implementation.
Clustering was a concept the committee thinks will prevent many problems in the future when developing land is concerned. While trying to map the future of the town while filling in the gaps, the committee inspected the 11 infill areas in person. Most of the areas do not need zoning changes, but designation of "transitional land use" with clustering to give developers a broader range of options dealing when trying to cultivate the area.
We didn't recommend changing Master Plan density for infill areas, but letting developers know its open for business,? Tina Murphy.
At this juncture, the committee saw that most of the areas in question were zoned residential. To couple that with senior housing needs, the committee said allow a clustering of homes, but leave the additional area for building amenities.
We think several infill areas would fit senior housing quite well. We want seniors to be a part of town, not off on their own," said McKaige, who is a retired American Airlines employee.
Clustering homes in not an uncommon concept in Flower Mound. Clustering in neighborhoods, such as the Sanctuary and Chimney Rock, allows for two homes to be built on space that previously one home was allotted. The number of homes in the area stays the same, but the remaining land is used for a conservation development. In the case of senior housing and infill, the homes will be smaller, more manageable, with smaller lot lines.
"It [Flower Mound] can be an expensive place to live on requirements for how much property around it [the home] and the looks. This is an opportunity to keep families together. Having grandparents, parents and kids in one place," McKaige said.
Tina Murphy, who heads of the education and public relations subcommittee, related that people in Flower Mound are growing older, their nests are emptying. This group of aging residents needs something more controllable for themselves.
A controversial issue within the town has been the Cross Timbers Conservation Development District. Citizens have expressed a variance of opinions. A Blue Ribbon Committee to address the septic matter as it relates to development of the area was suggested.
Overall, the Master Plan changed diminutively. The importance of the updating process was to make the upcoming development projects more profitable for the developer and the community. Plans for economic development were in the 2001 Master Plan, but fell through after the dot com bubble burst Sept. 11. The committee is trying to put the town back on track to attract "good corporate citizens," as member Todd Schreiber indicated. Scott Baker, who has chaired other Master Plan updates, said that the town is about where it was planned to be since the update in 2001.
"We want the city access with the country feel. We want people to live here shop here and never have to leave the community, but give people the space to appreciate," McKaige said.
The steering committee can receive input through many avenues. Citizens can attend public meetings hosted by the steering committee, Planning and Zoning meetings, and can e-mail or call in their opinions. Visit the town website and access the Master Plan Update link for information about the plan and ways to contact the committee.
Contact staff writer Stefanie Ackerman at 972-538-2117 or stefanie.ackerman@scntx.com
Copyright (C) 2006 Star Community Newspapers
624 Krona Drive Suite 170, Plano, Texas 75074 - Contact Star Community Newspapers at 972-398-4200