city will have to decide how it wants to use bond funds for Highland Shores. Both will be reconstruction jobs, Ste- vens said. Finding a path for revenue Part of the comprehensive plan update is centered on expanding the trail system to include the FM 407 corridor with multimodal uses, such as walking, bicycling and potentially using golf carts, and finding connectiv- ity between residential and commer- cial areas. With the park and trail plan and the FM 407 component, there’s an oppor- tunity for grant funding in the future, Stevens said. “If you don’t have an updated master plan, you’re not going to be eligible for [grants],” he said. “So that was vitally important. … And the other was just to get some ideas on development on those vacant properties and see how we might go forward there.” Grants for parks and trails can come from Texas Parks & Wildlife as well as TxDOT, with the latter focusing on trail systems. There are also grants available from the major infrastructure bill that Congress approved in 2021. The next time the city would tar- get issuance of bonds would be 2027.
No new parks are anticipated to be developed in the city, Stevens said, but “there is a good chance new trail connections and park improvements would be part of that bond.” Some funding has been targeted for parks and roads, such as in December 2021, when council approved autho- rizing certificates of obligation totaling $15.75 million for street and drainage as well as park improvements. As explained by the Texas Comp- troller of Public Accounts website, certificates of obligation allow local governments to fund public works projects without voter approval. In Highland Village, those bonds are funded through the city’s general fund. The city is always looking to make money by filling empty buildings and cutting down on vacancies, Stevens said. “One of the reasons we took this on was to be a little more proactive,” he said. “The possibility of vacancies in the future is a reality, so we want to make sure we’re prepared for that.” He said the city was open to offer- ing incentives to businesses, such as a major retailer, wishing to open in High- land Village. A Chapter 380 agreement or some other type of agreement would be possible. A Chapter 380 agreement
can offer loans and grants of city funds or services at little or no cost to pro- mote state and local economic devel- opment, and to stimulate business and commercial activity, according to the state comptroller’s website. Future city growth Census studies show Highland Vil- lage will grow to 18,000 people in the next eight years, but Stevens said he thinks that’s an “aggressive” number. In fact, Jaworski said it is possible that the city’s population could actually drop during that time. During any sort of redevelopment, Jaworski said there is the possibility of some company buy- ing multiple lots in older sections in the city and building bigger houses—which could trigger a drop in the population as larger single lots go up. But he does not see anything drastic happening. “In terms of the next chapter of rede- velopment, somebody coming in some of our older sections and buying mul- tiple lots and building bigger houses, you could actually have fewer rooftops and fewer people in some of those kind of situations,” Jaworski said.
Park improvements are a point of emphasis in Highland Village.
DON MUNSCH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Planning for Parks As Highland Village grows, officials have keyed in on several city park and trail improvements: Consider adding
walking, biking and golf cart trails that connect to FM 407 Explore grant funding from TxDOT for parks and trails Take inventory of existing parks; examine expendi- tures and assess improvements Explore possible 20% match from city on any possible park grants
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCE: CITY OF HIGHLAND VILLAGE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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FLOWER MOUND - HIGHLAND VILLAGE - ARGYLE EDITION • APRIL 2023
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