Flower Mound Leader / April 14, 2006 / Molly McCullough

Visions of Flower Mound : Voters United focused on Master Plan review

          Flower Mound’s politic action committee, Voters United to Preserve Flower Mound, has re-focused its efforts in order to preserve Flower Mound’s open space during the Master Plan review process.

          Voters United Director Marsha Gavitt said she believes the current Master Plan only needs a few small changes to be ready for Flower Mound’s best interests during the next five years.

          “If only wise, long-term decisions continue to be made, I see high-quality retail and commercial development from [U.S.] 377 to Interstate 35W; expanded hiking, biking and equestrian trails; more parks and a larger population n but with our natural assets, community character and quality of life preserved,” Gavitt said. “However until we are fully developed, we must remain assertive with those who do not value our community in the way most of us who live here do.”

          Voters United members have come under scrutiny during the past few years for discouraging future development within certain areas of the town. Gavitt said she is just trying to help preserve the Flower Mound she fell in love with.

          “There is no other place like it in Texas,” Gavitt said. “It is close to a major airport in a major metropolitan area; yet it also has diverse terrain and ecosystems, including the ancient Cross Timbers Forest that was frequently written about by early settlers heading westward. It is also in the middle of a major migratory bird path.”

          Gavitt said Voters United members are monitoring town council meetings, other commission meetings and Master Plan amendment requests in case they feel their voice of opposition or support needs to be heard. The group also maintains a Web site, www.voters-united.com.

          During the Master Plan review process, Gavitt is working to speak against increased density within the town. She feels the current zoning for the area west of Farm Road 2499 is ideal for the environment.

          “It is housing density that creates the biggest impact on our community,” she said.

Gavitt said she would like land developers to respect the Master Plan and investigate conservation development.’

          Gavitt said Voters United is also against putting a sewer system for the western portions of the town in the Master Plan since she feels as though it would additionally lead to increased density. Once a sewer system is installed in areas west of Bruton Orand Boulevard, large land developers will come to town and threaten much of that area’s open space.

“That pressure from land and development interest overrides the best interests of the community,” Gavitt said. “If we allow sewer extension as demanded by several land investors, we will have lost the most effective and most common tool used by municipalities for managing residential density.”

          So far, Gavitt said Voters United’s stance on the Master Plan review process has brought several new members to the group.

          “This has helped re-energize the organization,” she said.

          And no doubt, enforced the group’s belief that their desire for the future of Flower Mound is the correct one.

Contact staff writer Molly McCullough at mcculloughm@scntx.com.mlg