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Council optimistic about parks plan, future development
By Chris Roark, roarkc@acnpapers.com
The Flower Mound Town Council got a glimpse into the future Thursday night when it discussed two items that could potentially reshape parts of the town.
The council began its work session by giving and receiving input on a possible mixed use development on the south end of town, along FM 2499 and near the Lakeside Business District.
Mick Granlund of O’Brien and Associates Architecture told the council that two landowners combine to own between 300 and 400 acres of land in the area. He said a stretch of about a mile and a half on the southern tip of FM 2499 is a prime spot to add retail and residential uses. To do that, though, Flower Mound would have to change the area’s zoning.
He said adding amenities to the area is also crucial since Grapevine Mills is the closest place for employees in the Lakeside area to go.
Council member Mike Wallace said this idea coincides with the town’s recent plan of having mixed-use development join the campus commercial zoning to help it develop.
“I think this is the first time we’ve seen something this large come before us,” Wallace said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for this to be a mixed use development that could potentially draw in some additional campus commercial features.”
Council members were also intrigued by Granlund’s idea of lining that section of FM 2499 with flowers to enhance the southern gateway to the town and to help Flower Mound live up to its name. And they were optimistic about using the town’s topography and water features to enhance the southern entryway.
“We have a lot of existing natural features and water features there,” Wallace said. “We want to try to preserve those while striking a balance with having quality development. And I think this development could let us do that.”
Council members were cautious about the residential component, however, asking what O’Brien’s idea was for density.
“The type of density that we’re looking at is what you already have in your mixed use ordinance and what there will be for the River Walk and Canyon Falls,” Granlund said.
Granlund said the types of property available could be a combination of for-sale products, as well as urban-style rentals, similar to what was approved for the River Walk.
Mayor Jody Smith said a large amount of apartments isn’t preferable, and the overall density and mixed use aspect would be a factor.
O’Brien has done such work as The Pines in Flower Mound and the Shops at Highland Village.
The council also gave their thoughts on the early draft of the Parks and Trails Master Plan, which is expected to be voted on in May.
A resident survey conducted on the phone and online helped shape the priorities for the master plan, which was part of what was presented to the council.
The plan for the proposed senior center calls for the facility to be located just to the east of the Community Activity Center, a location that the Seniors in Motion subcommittee likes.
But the plan also calls for a skate park, which was approved by voters in the 2002 bond election, to be at the same location. Council members say the skate park should be located somewhere else. They also agreed the skate park isn’t as high a priority as many other items on the list.
The council felt the same about the tennis center.
As far as the senior center’s use, Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Jean Levenick reversed early ideas of the center being a revenue generator by part of it being rented out for special events. They said certain town events should take place there to cut back on spending but that the majority of it should be used solely as a senior center.
“The Seniors in Motion program has a set schedule,” Levenick said. “So if someone can come in and always work around that schedule, then I might be OK with it. But I think first and foremost, it needs to be for our seniors.”
Wallace and council member Al Filidoro urged the facility to be built larger than what the expected need is so as not to have to expand later. Council member Tom Hayden said cost should be a factor and that it shouldn’t be built too big.
The council also supported emphasis on the trails, which was tops on the surveys, as well as the purchasing of Corps of Engineers property to enhance Twin Coves Park near Grapevine Lake.
There will be a public meeting March 4 at town hall to let the public see the plan. Then the Parks, Arts and Library Services (PALS) Board will host a public hearing April 8, followed by the planning and zoning commission’s public hearing April 12. Town council will have a public hearing and vote on the plan May 3.
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