The details
Eden Ranch, which would sit on the north side of FM 1171 between Red Rock and Shiloh roads, encompasses about 336 acres of agriculturally zoned land and could include 193 residential lots.
According to a website for the development, the objective of Eden Ranch is to bring better quality food sources closer to people’s homes throughout the year. The site promotes amenities such as annual crops grown on farmland throughout the property.
In its current form, the proposal would require amending the town’s master plan to remove a rural collector street, and amending the Cross Timbers Conservation District Area Plan to change standards relating to fencing and proximity of homes to country roads, according to town documents.
A closer look
A companion zoning planned development application to rezone properties to a cluster development with base agricultural zoning is also being considered. A tree removal permit for at least 20 specimen trees would also be required under the current Eden Ranch plans.
The designated east/west collector between Red Rock and Shiloh roads would have to be removed for the project. To pass traffic regulations in the town with the collector removed, Shiloh Road would have to be widened to four lanes for about 1,600 feet starting from FM 1171. The town’s transportation commission recommended approval of these plans at a meeting Feb. 11.
A majority of the project would be developed as a cluster development, which is allowed as long as it meets guidelines in the town’s master plan. There are also eight lots identified only as agricultural zone lots in Eden Ranch plans. Town staff isn’t sure yet of the intent of these lots, but a number of non-residential uses have been discussed at various meetings, according to town documents.
What’s next?
The project will need to receive a recommendation from the town’s parks board on parkland dedication. The Environmental Conservation Commission will also have to sign off on the tree removal permits and open space master plan before it can be sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a work session.
