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Council approves mixed-use change, age-restricted community
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
The Flower Mound Town Council on Monday unanimously approved three items that could impact the proposed Lakeside DFW mixed-use development.
If approved by the council in November, Lakeside DFW would be located at the intersection of FM 2499 and Lakeside Parkway.
The council amended the mixed-use ordinance to address park land dedication for such projects. The mixed-use ordinance previously didn't have a component dealing with parks.
But officials have said that mixed-use developments should not have the same approach to park land as normal residential developments since it's a different type of project, specifically regarding walkability and accessibility.
With the amendment, a mixed-use development is required of provide 5 percent open space, as well as the same 3.36 acres per 100 unit in the single-family detached component of the project. There can be up to a 50-percent reduction in the requirements for open space in the single-family detached portion.
"Nobody is looking to give anyone a free ride," said Councilman Bryan Webb. "We're looking to let the developer come in and create a nice, walkable dynamic for others to enjoy. And we're setting the framework so that can happen."
This item was unanimously denied at the planning and zoning commission meeting a week earlier. However, officials said there was confusion during the presentation to the commission.
Council members stressed that even though these guidelines would be for any proposed mixed-use project throughout the town, the council needed flexibility to address park components based on the development's proposed location, size, etc. It is not anticipated that the mixed use ordinance will be widely used throughout the town due to market feasibility and the complexity of the mixed-use ordinance.
"If we always hold ourselves to how we did things yesterday, then we won't get past yesterday," Webb said.
The council also voted to amend the master plan and the land development regulations to add the street classification “Urban Minor Arterial with On-street Parking,” as well as a cross section of the street type, to the town’s thoroughfare plan.
Lakeside DFW officials had pushed for the designation, specifically for part of Lakeside Parkway, which is proposed to be the main entrance into the development. The proposal to apply this designation to Lakeside Parkway is expected to be heard by the planning and zoning commission Monday and the council in November.
A component of this street classification is angle parking. This would be the first location in Flower Mound that uses this type of parking.
Lakeside DFW officials have said changing this portion of Lakeside Parkway to allow on-street parking is important in calming traffic through the area, which would give the development an urban, pedestrian-friendly feel. The speed limit would likely be 30 mph on that segment as well.
Another piece to this classification is the reconfiguration of the lanes. The travel lanes would be reduced from six to four, there would be a 16-foot median installed, 18-foot parking lanes on each side and a new 14-foot parkway would be used for utilities and a sidewalk.
"The drivers' awareness will go up with the trees, the pedestrians and the angled parking," said Kent Collins, assistant town manager. "And that's what we want."
Collins said the turning radius for these types of roads would be smaller.
The concept plan for Lakeside DFW includes a residential component, such as estate homes, single-family homes, villas, condominiums, apartments, a high-rise condo and senior rental units.
The plan also includes offices, shops and restaurants, often with lofts above, as well as a bungalow hotel.
Various pocket parks, as well as access to Grapevine Lake, are also expected to be drawing points for the project.
In other business, the council approved a master plan amendment, a tree removal permit, a rezoning request and a development plan for Legends, an age-restricted gated community located at the northeast intersection of Chinn Chapel Road and Dixon Lane.
The land use plan changes from Estate Residential to High Density Residential, and the rezoning changes from Single-Family Estate uses to Planned Development with Single-Family District-5 (5,000-square-foot lots).
Legends, which will sit on 19.8 acres, will include 91 residential lots, plus five HOA lots.
The average size of the homes will be approximately 2,000 square feet, and a certain percentage of the homes will be for residents ages 55 and older. The exact percentage will be determined later in the process.
It will also feature a pool and an amenity center, including a gymnasium and a game room. There are also perimeter trails and internal walking trails planned.
Bobby Dollak of G&A Consultants said the project gives Flower Mound residents an option to downsize while staying close to retail. The project is located south and west of The Highlands retail center and northwest of Robertson's Creek retail center.
"This is the product that they're after," Dollak said. "Residents who want to downsize will be close enough to walk to Super Target. They can live here and be independent. There are a lot of things for people ages 55 and older to do without having to drive across town."
Centurion American will be the developer for this project, as well as Estancia Estates, which will be located south of Legends.
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