The first development, Estuary Pointe, is located between Deer Path and Meadowlark. The development sits on a plot of land that spans roughly 39.45 acres and is currently set to have 27 buildable lots, according to town documents.
During the meeting’s public comment period, several residents expressed concerns about the development, such as disruption of wildlife, access to Grapevine Lake cut off for surrounding residents, and safety concerns about additional traffic on Deer Path, which residents say is already dangerous due to its sharp curve and drivers speeding.
Council Member Ann Martin said she drove over to the area where the development would be located and said she experienced the unsafe nature of the road herself.
“During the time we were there, I think we almost got hit how many times? Several," she said. "I know I stepped back because I was really concerned.”
Representatives for the applicant, Beaten Path Development, said they are not opposed to adding signs on the curve of Deer Path to indicate a need to slow down. Other road safety features that would slow traffic were also mentioned. They also noted that the houses that back up to Deer Path are all either 80 feet or up to hundreds of feet away from the road.
As for wildlife protection concerns, the applicants said they think the deer that frequent the area will still come to the yards of surrounding neighbors as well as those of the new development for years to come.
The proposed development meets the town's current zoning of the area – single-family estate zoning. The applicant is also not requesting a change to the town’s master plan. Since the development complies with the current zoning, council members were not allowed to vote against the project based on subjective concerns, Town Attorney Bryn Meredith told then during the meeting. Town Council voted unanimously to approve the project.
The second development approved at the meeting by the council, Dixon Park, is located south of Dixon Lane and west of Windridge Lane.
The development, proposed by Toll Brothers, sits on a nearly 27 acres and will contain about 51 single-family residential lots. The applicant requested a zoning change from agricultural zoning to single family-15 zoning, which requires each lot to have a minimum of 15,000 square feet, according to town documents.
The zoning request was approved unanimously along with a request for a development plan. The applicant also requested to remove 14 specimen trees on the property. This was approved unanimously as well, with the exception of a pecan tree at the development’s entrance.
