The Town Council approved its legislative priorities during its Oct. 7 meeting, which include:
- Protecting community character
- Preserving individual property rights and privacy
- Enhancing financial stewardship and flexibility
To protect the town's character, Flower Mound officials will oppose legislation that would prohibit cities from requiring minimum lot sizes, as well as legislation that would support the right to build accessory dwelling units without restrictions.
According to town documents, officials oppose legislation that would prohibit cities from requiring minimum lot sizes because "unrestricted development violates the character of suburban communities and would be heavily opposed by neighboring properties."
Town documents also state allowing the right to build accessory dwelling units without restrictions would undermine Flower Mound's ability to mitigate negative impacts to neighboring properties.
"This legislation places an unfunded burden on existing residents to absorb the costs associated with increased residential units," officials stated in town documents.
In order to preserve individual property rights and privacy, town's official plan to support property owner notifications before utilities cut trees adjacent to their property. The town staff will also monitor legislation related to data privacy.
To enhance financial stewardship and flexibility, town officials plan to support property tax relief by advocating for cities to be able to raise the homestead exemption above 20%. Officials also support an exemption in the maintenance and operation rate calculations for capital purchases made with cash. The current rate cap is 3.5%, which forces municipalities to take on debt to pursue capital projects, according to town documents.
"Adjusting this calculation would allow municipalities to make capital purchases more efficiently and avoid unnecessary debt," officials stated in town documents.
Quote of note
"I do feel really strongly about these priorities, especially the first two, because if those things go through, it will substantially alter the character of our community," Mayor Pro Tem Ann Martin said. "I don't think our residents would want that. I know I don't want that."
What's next
In the coming months, town staff will meet with legislative delegations and start drafting bill language with Flower Mound's town attorney.
