The planning and zoning commission unanimously recommended approval of a zoning change for Eden Ranch at its Oct. 27 meeting. They also recommended approval for a master plan amendment to eliminate a proposed roadway within the development by a 6-1 vote with Commissioner Todd Bayuk against.
In the motion for approval of the zoning change, several conditions for the planned development were outlined, including:
- Stipulating the emergency access near the intersection of Kings Road and Shiloh Road be the minimum allowable under town code
- No lots greater than 1 acre will be benched, or graded, until a building permit application is filed
- Imposing a minimum lot width minimum of 150 feet for all lots
- Exploring a deceleration lane off FM 1171
- All accessory dwelling units would need a specific use permit
- Setting the lot coverage maximum at 25%
- No livestock could be kept on homes built on tracts of 1 acre or less
- No trees outside the approved species list in open space
- Eliminating proposed gates on the equestrian trail
- Require a compatibility buffer between lots with nonresidential uses made of natural screening
- Make all front and rear setbacks on lots a minimum of 30 feet
Eden Ranch is a proposed conservation development sitting on around 335 acres within the town’s Cross Timbers Conservation Development District. There are a total of 167 lots, 158 of which are earmarked for residential use and a further nine designated agricultural lots, which could also have a residential use.
To address prior concerns from work sessions held with council and the commission, Randi Rivera, director of planning and entitlement with engineering firm McAdams, said Eden Ranch has gone from a cluster development proposal to a conservation development. As a conservation development, it caters to individuals who want to reconnect with nature or are interested in farm-to-table concepts, similar to what is present in parts of Harvest in Argyle, Rivera said.
“Eden Ranch is designed specifically to attract those types of users who are interested in this type of living,” Rivera said.
Zooming in
Of the 158 proposed residential lots, 72 will sit on at least 1 acre or more of land, and 86 will be on lots that are 0.75 acres or larger. The new plan is a reduction from 193 homes included in the proposal from March.
Chuck Russell said the developer also plans to include seven permitted uses in open space areas, which total 147.14 acres, including:
- Up to five greenhouses, each up to 2,400 square feet
- Three facilities barns, each up to 5,000 square feet
- One private community center up to 50,000 square feet, which includes the areas for parking and site circulation, and would require site plan approval
- 10 shade structures up to 400 square feet each
- Keeping of animals
- Crop agriculture
- Post oak restoration areas
The developer will also be required to widen 1,600 feet of Shiloh Road north of the intersection with FM 1171 to four lanes to accommodate a projected increase to traffic in the area, said Matt Hotelling, Flower Mound’s assistant director of public works and transportation.
What they’re saying
Shannon Tinsley, a Flower Mound resident, spoke in support of the project, saying the project honors the town’s heritage of responsible growth and preservation.
“Eden Ranch protects native landscapes, wildlife habitats and open spaces while creating a place where families and nature can thrive together,” Tinsley said. “I love that it encourages community connection through gardens, grazing areas and natural gathering spaces instead of high-density development.”
However, opposition from both Flower Mound residents, such as Robert Prince, and Double Oak residents cited density and traffic concerns.
“Approving these changes sets the precedent for overdevelopment,” Prince said. “Smaller lots and higher density will erode property values and the rural heritage that we need to fight to protect.”
What’s next
The development will head to council members for consideration at the Nov. 3 meeting. Because of a request for both a master plan amendment and a topographic slope exception for Eden Ranch, a supermajority, or four council members, is required for approval.
