Flower Mound’s planning and zoning commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of the plan at its Feb. 10 meeting.
The details
The proposed helistop, where a helicopter would take off and land, would be located on an undeveloped 7.74-acre lot south of Cross Timbers Road and West of Bell Drive. It would be used to take the land owner to and from his property. The applicant behind the project, Ken Frisby of Frisby Enterprises, requested a specific use permit from the town to build the 36-feet by 36-feet helistop. This is required because the helistop will sit on land zoned for agricultural uses where it is not allowed by right.
If built, the helistop would sit at least 175 feet from residential areas, according to town documents. Frisby told planning and zoning commissioners that the helistop would be used for minutes at a time once or twice a month.
Some context
The commission voted to table the discussion on the helipad at its meeting Jan. 13 so Frisby could have a chance to do more research and address resident concerns. The residents said they were concerned about noise, negative impacts on local property values and safety.
Abe Lawrence, who manages the land owner’s flights, turned up to the Feb. 10 meeting with Frisby to address some of the residents’ concerns. Lawrence said the flights would be infrequent, safe and comply with federal aviation regulations.
However, commissioners said a helistop would not be compatible in a residential and agricultural area.
What’s next?
Now, the plans will be brought to the town council with a recommendation of denial from the commission. The council will consider the request at its meeting Feb. 17 when the applicant and residents will be able to make their case for or against the proposed helistop. The specific use permit will require a supermajority vote by the council to pass.
