Fort Worth Star-Telegram September 30, 1998
Edition: NORTHEAST AM Section: METRO Page: 7

 

Flower Mound ahead on growth

Population estimates eclipse projections, may trigger changes to the master plan.

Author: Bryon Okada; Star-Telegram Writer

Dateline: FLOWER MOUND

Article Text:

 

The town's population will one day exceed 92,000 residents if developers continue to build at the current rate.

 

Even if no new land is zoned for home construction, the population would top out at 76,740, consultant Glenn Gary told residents yesterday at the Mayor/Council Advisory Committee meeting.

 

The population would grow to 92,279 residents if all the areas zoned for houses, plus those specified by the master plan for future homes build out that way. Gary, an engineer with Kimley-Horn & Associates of Fort Worth and Dallas, did not estimate the rate or the date at which Flower Mound might reach its maximum population.

 

The numbers, however, are higher than previous projections that placed the maximum population at less than 70,000 residents.

 

"The master plan put it at about 69,000, but we always knew it wasn't an accurate number because it didn't take into account existing zoning that was in place," Mayor Lori DeLuca said.

 

Town officials hired Kimley-Horn to conduct the study so they could better plan for the town's growth. The study sets the stage for re-evaluation of the town's impact fees for developers as well as the updating of the town's master plan, which is expected to be completed mid-summer 1999.

 

The current master plan is outdated in part because of the town's double-digit growth rate, officials said. The highest projected growth rate in the current master plan was for 8 percent.

 

The town could reduce the 92,279 figure by 15,539 residents if changes are made in parts of the master plan that calls for houses on land now zoned for agriculture, Town Manager Van James said. The master plan calls for houses on land zoned for agriculture near the Farm Road 1171 and Farm Road 407 intersection and near the town's waste-water treatment plant on the FlowerMound/Lewisville border.

 

"This is where you can make a difference in the number," James said.

 

But any change to the master plan would need approval by four of the five Town Council members.

 

Although the North Central Texas Council of Governments estimates FlowerMound's population at 42,500 as of Jan. 1, 1998, the Kimley-Horn study showed the current population at 51,221. That figure included partially finished lots and used estimates to calculate the number of occupants.

 

The advisory committee provides a forum where homeowners can discuss issues with the mayor and council.

 

 

Copyright 1998 Star-Telegram, Inc.