From the construction of new master-planned communities to road redesigns, take a look at the five most-read Denton stories for the year.
The following stories are in order of most page views.
1. Johnson Development partners with Cole Ranch on 3,100-acre master-planned community
Johnson Development has entered a partnership with Cole Ranch and Denton Range LLC for development of a 3,100-acre master-planned community west of I-35W in Denton, according to a news release.
When fully developed, the community will have approximately 4,365 single-family homes. It is expected to open for home sales in 2027.
In addition to providing over 4,000 homes, Cole Ranch will preserve about 1,200 acres as green space with at least 26 miles of trails through the property, the news release states.
The community will feature two large lakes, a 32-acre waterway and a 13-acre lake. The master plan also includes 156 acres of commercial development; a 55-acre business park; and 206 acres for two Denton ISD elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Two amenity centers and multiple parks, including a 50-acre city park, are also planned.
Read the full story here.
2. 2,500-acre Craver Ranch to bring more than 9,000 residences to Denton
A mixed-use development that will include more than 9,000 residential units and around 1.2 million square feet in commercial space, Craver Ranch, is coming to Denton.
Council members approved several requests related to the development during the Dec. 2 meeting. A rezoning request and comprehensive plan amendment for the proposed land use were approved by a 5-2 vote with council members Brian Beck and Suzi Rumohr opposed. A related request to update the mobility plan for the development was approved by a 6-1 vote with Beck voting against.
Craver Ranch, which was annexed by the city in 2008 and 2009, is located in far north Denton north of Shepard Road between FM 2164 and FM 2153. The proposed site sits on a property totaling 2,870 acres, about 2,500 of which will be developed.
Get the full breakdown here.
3. Denton County approves $75K for Loop 288 redesign, right-of-way acquisition
Denton County will contribute $75,000 for the redesign in connection with the necessary acquisition of a property for the Loop 288 East and US 380 connector project.
County commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Denton for the item during the Oct. 14 meeting.
Denton County will use funds from its Trip-22 bond program, approved by voters in November 2022, to cover the costs, according to county documents.
Funding will be used to help cover redesign costs connected to future rights of way for land located near Loop 288 East and Geesling Road, per county documents. The land will be part of the planned Loop 288 East and US 380 connector project.
See the details here.
4. Landmark breaks ground in Denton, model homes coming soon
Hillwood held a groundbreaking ceremony for master-planned community Landmark in Denton Nov. 13.
The master-planned community will feature homes from nine builders, trails, park space, on-site schools and retail space, including Denton’s first H-E-B.
“We are very excited about what this community is going to be,” Hillwood founder Ross Perot Jr. said. “It will be the best community in this part of the United States. It will be the best product we’ve done and one that we can be extraordinarily proud of.”
Construction is already underway on H-E-B, and Hillwood officials said model homes are slated to open in the spring.
Read more here.
5. Denton approves acquisition of land for Ryan Road widening project
Denton City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of several properties along Ryan Road between Country Club Road and Teasley Lane for the Ryan Road widening project at a Nov. 18 meeting.
The purpose of the Ryan Road widening project is to create a second arterial route through the city, Senior Real Estate Specialist Angel DeLory said.
The project will turn the two-lane road into four lanes and also includes additional improvements to drainage, street crossings, sidewalks and street lighting, per city documents.
Funding for the Ryan Road project, which has a projected cost of $4 million, comes from 2019 bond funds.
Find out more here.
