[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6680954,"mediaKeyId","2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee","parentId",2324260,"title","Residents urge Flower Mound to study upstream drainage impacts before Knights Landing development","audioSeconds",332,"startMs",736000,"endMs",1068000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee&start=736&end=1068","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee/thumbnail_736000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6680954/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Residents-urge-Flower-Mound-to-study-upstream-drainage-impacts-before-Knights-Landing-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680954-340472f4c3980f7c861fe7b581f9fc86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182932&Signature=ICVfvEY4vfwGnNrzwspp8iwl0yRdR3zWeFYo9Xtx3~3JdwlP0AQBNvxMQQMz7EPBig18ORkr3LBhXllC-4907yqLSAHU3YFi-RH-Phdr96UGKOlufdbpvYK-2WAQ3Hhtytar06dOiLBx8CWhBpUkX5S8GPwUf0VY5Uy9xCs1ER3mHSmQc0wN4noBm6BxzX-U8uptlkfh3zI6Gg8EvKol4E424erbQBdiL~jG79Ean3XPn4CPkSGz1rVfR7~XMnfk~YFA-vefNRerxZIxqnUpAK-j7nSUNw4W8c1SU8ZFOV4GdeVlhK0xU6SEbKZ3eSdSrG4MsSdUe6aej1u4AjTiUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Flower Mound","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Dozens of residents told the Flower Mound Town Council on Feb. 17 that chronic drainage problems in the Crosstimbers/Ridgecrest area are eroding yards, damaging homes and narrowing usable acreage — and they urged the town to study the whole upstream drainage system before approving the Knights Landing subdivision.

Residents described repeated flooding that in some cases has damaged houses and pools, eroded property and reduced usable acreage. Lucille Del Vecchio said the appraisal district reduced her usable acreage from 2.14 acres to 1 acre after repeated flooding and that \"51% of the land is not usable on our land\" because of failed stormwater drainage. Lori Kuykendall described water that \"flowed into the pool, and then up into the 2 back rooms of our house,\" saying she had to remove family heirlooms during a flood. David Wenzel and other neighbors urged the council to order an independent analysis, noting the developer's engineer has an inherent conflict of interest.

Why it matters: speakers said the current drainage hardware — ditches, culverts and road crossings — funnels runoff into a narrow set of downstream yards and that isolated fixes could worsen flooding elsewhere. Neighbors urged the council to assess how upstream grading, paved areas and new infrastructure for Knights Landing would change the flow into existing channels and whether culverts and detention capacity are adequate.

Council response and next steps: a councilmember asked staff to investigate the history and genesis of the flooding, to outline options for intervention and to prepare material for a March 20 work session. Town Manager James told the council staff could be ready for March 20 to present initial findings. Councilmembers discussed whether the town should commission a larger, area‑wide drainage study and were advised that a full engineering study to scope a capital project would take longer and require a separate direction and budget.

What residents asked for: among the remedies suggested during public comment were converting an existing lot to a holding pond, replacing or upsizing culverts (including a culvert on Sunset Road tied to a 2026 project), and performing a second, independent engineering review rather than relying solely on a developer‑funded study. David Wenzel and others said they had seen similar problems elsewhere where new subdivisions caused previously dry areas to flood and urged caution.

Discussion vs. action: the council did not adopt a capital project or order immediate construction during the meeting. Instead, council directed staff to research the drainage history and present options and costs at the March 20 work session; that direction was recorded as staff follow‑up rather than a binding contract or expenditure.

Local context and constraints: staff noted state law limits on plat approvals: if a subdivision plat meets the town’s minimum requirements, the town is generally obligated to approve it. Staff said the Knights Landing item is a subdivision/plat (not a zoning change) and, absent requested exceptions, could move forward if it meets the town’s regulations; it was expected to appear on the March 3 council agenda. Several residents asked the council to delay approvals until the drainage questions are resolved.

Residents who spoke at the meeting provided photos and videos demonstrating flow paths, standing water and erosion. Several asked the council to prioritize a comprehensive approach to the watershed rather than piecemeal repairs: \"You can't just piecemeal it,\" Stephen Wood said, arguing the town must \"deal with it as a system of drainage.\" David Wenzel asked for an independent peer review of the developer's analysis, saying the applicant‑paid engineer's conclusions should be confirmed by the town or a separate consultant.

What comes next: staff will prepare materials for the March 20 work session, including a summary of the neighborhood's past mitigation efforts, the town's planned culvert project on Sunset Road (2026), options for a targeted study and the scope and estimated cost of a more comprehensive watershed study if council chooses that path. Residents asked the council to consider holding any zoning or plat action until after the town reviews the drainage analysis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Flower Mound - Town Council Archive - Feb 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of Flower Mound residents told the town council on Feb. 17 that chronic drainage problems in the Crosstimbers/Ridgecrest area are eroding yards, damaging houses and reducing usable acreage, and urged the council to study upstream drainage before allowing the Knights Landing subdivision to proceed.","taxTitle","Flower Mound, Denton County, Texas","taxId",2790,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680948,"Votes at a glance: Wichita Trail reconstruction approved; town authorizes Rangewood drainage easement purchase; multiple consent items passed",327,3049000,3376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee&start=3049&end=3376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee/thumbnail_3049000.jpg","/articles/6680948/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Wichita-Trail-reconstruction-approved-town-authorizes-Rangewood-drainage-easement-purchase-multiple-consent-items-passed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680948-e0901a311c33b2ff13107e8c70db4fb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182932&Signature=OCpJpd~pl3XGHKZFuSzAdzbI4S-hF454RRqvdSIrE~DGqLKtanUHilzJ8fEqdbPgwI-dHovFvCbCoYZph2zXemnOjbHRrOqRhGaPL5nM4Gmwynj4Gdy2qOnxcRvzgO~omhl~zZRWGczfOSnQ7TCasgGFSKym~tk3GEseOvxskRd60pYhgESLPiwWwJASaJ34JWWxfsnliDPXIO4KinVBeEyevUdoH4wMsBfD50Is3Biu5kzcxyW6dhzHqb5YEZOwa5CN46BtgwEs5MSSbFWbRuOHDqsN6XgDi2IQ6NfyKwYGx75cTA1q~xo5reME5iVamw7QvLu1n-uhKKvfZQa6fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A summary of formal actions taken at the Flower Mound Town Council meeting on Feb. 17:

- Consent items (J1–J7): Motion to approve consent items J1 through J7 passed by unanimous roll call. (Motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded ayes from Councilmembers Werner, Drew, Taylor, Mayor Pro Tem Martin and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Schistel.)

- Wichita Trail reconstruction (K1): The council approved the purchase of concrete removal and replacement services for the Wichita Trail reconstruction project from F & F Concrete Construction under the town’s existing contract. Dale Crown, senior project engineer, said the work is on the town's capital improvements plan and will reconstruct roughly 550 feet (south of Cardinal) and panel replacements on either end; the project also includes minor drainage inlet work and reconstruction at the Twin Coves park entrance. The contract price under the town’s existing agreement was presented as just under $2,400,000. The motion to approve K1 passed by unanimous roll call.

- Rangewood Drive drainage easement authorization (post‑closed session action): After reconvening from closed session, the council authorized staff to negotiate and purchase drainage easement and temporary construction easement property needed for the Rangewood Drive drainage improvements project, to negotiate up to the settlement amounts described to council, and to authorize the town manager or his designee to close on the acquisition and pay closing costs. The motion passed by unanimous roll call.

- Scrivner Ranch heli‑stop (K2): The council denied a requested specific use permit for a heli‑stop at Scrivner Ranch (see separate article). The denial passed by unanimous roll call.

Votes and roll call: the meeting records show unanimous roll calls on the consent items, K1 (Wichita Trail reconstruction), the Rangewood easement purchase authorization and the motion to deny K2. Councilmembers recorded as voting aye in roll calls included Councilmember Werner, Councilmember Drew, Councilmember Taylor, Mayor Pro Tem Martin and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Schistel.

What the approvals mean: the Wichita Trail contract will move forward to construction start next month for the primary reconstruction section, with subsequent panel replacements and Twin Coves coordination timed to minimize park impacts. The drainage easement authorization allows staff to finalize property settlements necessary to complete Rangewood Drive drainage improvements; specific acquisition amounts were discussed in closed session and staff were authorized to complete the closings and associated costs.

Staff contacts: Dale Crown (Capital Projects Division) presented the Wichita Trail item; Town Manager James presented general town updates. For further follow‑up, residents may contact the town’s Public Works or Real Property divisions.","At its Feb. 17 meeting the Flower Mound Town Council approved a concrete removal and replacement contract for Wichita Trail, authorized staff to acquire drainage easements for Rangewood Drive improvements and approved routine consent items. The council also denied a contested Scrivner Ranch heli‑stop SUP.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680950,"Flower Mound council denies Scrivner Ranch heli‑stop after safety and noise objections",2393,3377000,5770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee&start=3377&end=5770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324260-da13bb9e6aeb547fbf4c9ee2152a79ee/thumbnail_3377000.jpg","/articles/6680950/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Flower-Mound-council-denies-Scrivner-Ranch-helistop-after-safety-and-noise-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680950-2faa51ef257ba8979d18fe6a43005f23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182932&Signature=W1y7cH6RsAvCp1VSruQMy54~3zeLip6Vq9mAEw3Hr8oC4CIrfS0z~X3n9pxtAvGzTXSNogI1OnOa-pe-fyh-uY-HYfjn2Xh2WHmWyqmqfZ1vSxDYEx32hGGFUuXttNedtYj9zqziQ7UOMLyXJRUYKUWWp~1h1oOBvHld--Fd0XfFlu6Krky3sypg9YHZHa2i6bCuxAFHvE68syh4jkNsJJGcHJGeBYpXlm4bv9fwiYur2KE9XFqhRdyuvToDUn7QzEBuxah9CbMs-qu2I1jekx434oo4Pzu9PawUvfbsSNDR8DSu8Le9BcZtA5PbaCFXsw2sAzaMJjiQcTPnxYWK6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flower Mound Town Council voted Feb. 17 to deny a request for a specific use permit to construct and operate a private heli‑stop at a 7.74‑acre Scrivner Ranch property in the Cross Timbers conservation area.

The request drew more than a dozen residents to speak in opposition during a public hearing. Neighbors described repeated unpermitted takeoffs and landings, said helicopters have flown low and caused noise and debris, and warned about risks to horses, bicyclists, pedestrians and nearby power lines.

Site and staff summary: planning staff said the proposed landing pad was roughly 200 feet from the closest residential lot and about 125 feet from the Cross Timbers property line. The town code defines a \"heli stop\" as a landing pad for occasional, infrequent use by rotary‑wing aircraft under 6,000 pounds, subject to an SUP in several zoning districts. Staff also noted the town's noise ordinance and that the applicant would need a noise‑variance application if an SUP were approved.

Public concerns: residents provided video and photographic accounts they said showed helicopters already taking off and landing from the property. Demaris Macaulay told the council she had \"footage of helicopters taking off and landing from that residence\" and said the activity had been reported to police and the FBI without resolution. Pilot and safety testimony amplified concerns about downwash and glide slopes; one pilot described rotor wash that can exceed hurricane‑force wind speeds at low clearance and warned of nearby power lines and trails used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Other speakers emphasized impacts on wildlife and argued the Cross Timbers area is inappropriate for such an operation.

Noise and regulation: staff told council an engineering noise study indicated operations could exceed the town's residential noise limits (52 dBA night / 62 dBA day) at nearby homes; the town's code caps short‑term exceedances as well. Council discussed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates flight paths and in‑flight operations but not local land‑use decisions; the SUP process governs the on‑the‑ground landing pad and associated conditions, while noise variances are handled through a separate permitting path.

Applicant absence: the applicant did not appear at the council meeting to present; the SUP had been denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission and the council voted to deny it.

Council action: a motion to deny the SUP for the Scrivner Ranch heli‑stop carried by unanimous roll call (aye votes recorded for Councilmembers Werner, Drew, Taylor, Mayor Pro Tem Martin and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Schistel). The denial preserves the existing land‑use regulation and prevents the establishment of an on‑site heli‑stop under the terms proposed.

What it means: the denial prevents a private landing pad at this property. Staff noted that helicopters may still operate in town airspace (regulated by the FAA), but a landing site at this location will not be authorized by the town.","After a lengthy public hearing with many neighbors opposing a private heli‑stop, the Flower Mound Town Council voted on Feb. 17 to deny a specific use permit (SUP) for a heli‑stop at Scrivner Ranch, citing noise, downwash and safety concerns; denial passed by unanimous roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge Flower Mound to study upstream drainage impacts before Knights Landing development

Votes at a glance: Wichita Trail reconstruction approved; town authorizes Rangewood drainage easement purchase; multiple consent items passed

Flower Mound council denies Scrivner Ranch heli‑stop after safety and noise objections