The East Cross Timbers is an approximately 26,000-square-mile wooded area that runs through several counties. HISTORY OF THE CROSS TIMBERS The Cross Timbers Conservation Development District was brought into the town’s master plan to conserve the town’s rural feel. EAST CROSS TIMBERS
made up a large portion of the com- munity conversations surrounding the conservation development district. Development uses in the conser- vation district include agricultural rural development, agricultural, agricultural conservation and clus- ter development. The town held two public meetings in March to gauge community feed- back on the Cross Timbers Conser- vation Development District. During those conversations, a portion of public speakers pushed to remove the cluster development option. Cluster development zoning allows for developers to build lots with a minimum of half an acre, accord- ing to city documents, and residents argued that dense housing allowed with those smaller lot sizes could take away from the rural feel of the area. Nearly 1,000 residents in a Febru- ary 4 to March 11 survey said 1-acre lot sizes for the conservation district is ideal. About 85% of residents in the same survey said the town’s “beauti- ful rural atmosphere” is a top reason they moved to the area. The council had a work session in April to go through the public feed- back. During the work session, town staff recommended merging the clus- ter and conservation development standards together, Murphy said. The change would allow for more acreage per lot compared to a standard clus- ter development. The recommenda- tion, though, is still evolving through council feedback. Another council meeting will be held in June to discuss potential changes. Based on that meeting, staff will bring an item to the planning and zoning commission for approval, after which it would go before the council for approval. The Cross Timbers Conservation Development District is a mostly rural part of Flower Mound.
“So [the district is] less focused on commercial uses there and more on how we can have environmentally sensitive development that really honors these ecological resources that are already in this area,” Murphy said. There are some types of nonresi- dential uses that are more focused on environmentally sensitive develop- ments, such as equestrian, and coun- try commercial uses, she said. Conservation e orts The East Cross Timbers is an approximately 26,000-square-mile wooded area that runs through Den- ton, Tarrant and Johnson counties. It contains a number of tree and mam- mal species, but in Flower Mound the post oak and blackjack oak are key points of conservation. Post oak and blackjack oak trees are two of the main tree populations that are protected in the district. “There was an opportunity to ensure that we can preserve any of those cross timber-type trees and groves, and that sort of thing that still exists in that area,” Murphy said. “[It’s] also an opportunity to ensure that the town keeps that kind of unique country atmosphere and the natural environment that I think a lot of people feel are synonymous with Flower Mound.” The conservation efforts are out- lined in the town’s tree ordinance, said Matt Woods, Flower Mound’s director of environmental services. The focus is smart growth in terms of develop- ment and broader conservation. “The tree ordinance was designed to protect certain species and size protection,” he said. The ordinance encourages the protection of healthy trees and large native trees, according to the town. The trees provide energy savings by cooling the air around buildings. Maintaining the trees is an
DENTON COUNTY
COLLIN COUNTY
TARRANT COUNTY
DALLAS COUNTY
JOHNSON COUNTY
ELLIS COUNTY
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1999
2013
The Cross Timbers District is recognized in the town’s master plan.
The master plan is amended to include cluster development recommendations.
2000 CTCDD is added to the town’s
2015 The first single-family subdivision, the Townlake FKA Bunn Gourley West, with cluster development standards is built.
SMARTGrowth program, and agricultural conservation regulations are also added.
2002
March 2022
The first agricultural conservation development, Chimney Rock, is added.
Two public meetings are held for community members to share their opinion on the CTCDD and its allowed zonings.
SOURCE: TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
“THE CROSS TIMBERS CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS SO UNIQUE, AND IT’S PART OF WHAT MAKES FLOWER MOUND SO UNIQUE.”
DEREK FRANCE, FLOWER MOUND MAYOR
land is zoned mostly for residential use, although some agriculture-type development is also allowed, accord- ing to the town. The town hosted several commu- nity meetings in March where res- idents pushed to maintain a rural feel in the district. City staff will now work with the Town Council in June to finalize potential changes, which could include changes in zoning. Community conversations The balancing act between con- servation and property owner rights
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is special, and as a town, we want to make sure we honor this asset.” The district is 9,544 acres with 3,681 acres accounting for the Army Corps of Engineers property, flood plains and streets, according to the town. The developed portion of the dis- trict—about 59%—consists mostly of agricultural and rural uses, such as the Circle R Ranch, as well as hous- ing developments. While 12% of the land is preserved from development, the remaining 29% of undeveloped
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