[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6568704,"mediaKeyId","3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c","parentId",3193966,"title","Garden Ridge Elementary students present cultural‑center proposal for school site after closure","audioSeconds",729,"startMs",789000,"endMs",1518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c&start=789&end=1518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c/thumbnail_789000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568704/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Garden-Ridge-Elementary-students-present-culturalcenter-proposal-for-school-site-after-closure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568704-d09a29c1bbd0724142dd36a21b34cf29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551140&Signature=jzrwVa9BqZtsDaqkuS-QxF~ix6ndcDpGW6JEeR~GCvw-iqnKoPg3Z121n2D62DLx3WXybGpqcI2LsDcv3yRTQYIMHJcspFpvn3M2A6OAWswhcjc5litrflEgXLHWqFJMI-ZWnFtqUPpffECZEX7POS1YX5ggP2PnXy6DrqgM6-n-rniGpGv0TUqv7LP7zMi-dyJDHAh1p5wWfaUDpI9yPytfwJpp9Eu5G5OQl6eFjESbD3Xjdha1t3NjWUvvX9kag2oyPC-PqlSQE2XYaaKo6QJrkddGngKpAajzNT1cbJR8QwqkymVnw~eTCOr8DuKj6Od3OWJxSM5YHKgzmol1QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Flower Mound","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","Students and teachers from Garden Ridge Elementary presented a student project to the Town Council on May 5 outlining a concept to repurpose Garden Ridge Elementary into a cultural center after its planned closure.

The students described a plan to keep the school's exterior footprint while reconfiguring interior spaces for rotating cultural exhibits representing countries including South Korea, Mexico, France and England. Student presenters described exhibit elements such as a cherry blossom garden and traditional performance spaces, a food court, an art room and interactive machines demonstrating simple‑machine physics tied to each country. The students also built models and a prototype ride to illustrate kinetic and potential energy.

Principal April Kennelian and teacher Christine Rountree introduced the students and said the project was student‑driven. The students said their models and additional materials were on display in the meeting lobby. No council action was taken on the proposal during the meeting; the presentation was ceremonial and intended to show student work and offer ideas for possible community reuse of the site.

Mayor and council members thanked the students for the presentation and posed no formal questions. The students and teacher posed for a photograph on stage after the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Flower Mound - Town Council Archive - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Students from Garden Ridge Elementary presented a concept to the council proposing the closed school be repurposed as a cultural center with rotating country exhibits and educational spaces; the presentation was part of a student project and no formal town action was taken.","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},6568709,"Town staff outlines Cross Timbers drainage assessments, bond‑program next steps and Riverwalk art center progress",435,1995000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c&start=1995&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c/thumbnail_1995000.jpg","/articles/6568709/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Town-staff-outlines-Cross-Timbers-drainage-assessments-bondprogram-next-steps-and-Riverwalk-art-center-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568709-6201d11122ae3b2de8769e4776a77047/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551140&Signature=ShJZyY1zLBxrB8QwH3B5DWbg4yf4ZECZp0VpcYeUgvHzjmFZ8su7epUjMPTz8zUKOxqpQ6CRr2wJF4uEEZk0j-o3Dx0n8n1LkYlx3tC4GJZQVS9fxdMc3Q13mgqqpk1fvmkpnzsPAhasJSOIkUvoeXa88MlgMEBDC0RsAxqubbnyNH4NpNFq6CO9xhfcevZmRN9irI23IR-vc9OxnLrwqWCn4FFpKjG1nAxHigjo3~pxf0kUmcpzvmJARMUAeoaTLNCHq11mk7E3mtMi1t~P2t7bVtSmQm4TEGkN-fNBeAMOOUPzV45WzGJbSk2140BW56q8oAsxQBMRYkUURwHT9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the Town Manager's report on May 5, Flower Mound staff gave updates on private drainage assessments in the Cross Timbers neighborhood, the town's plans for implementing recently approved bond propositions, and the Riverwalk art center project being developed jointly with Denton County.

The town manager, identified in the meeting only as James, said staff initiated a set of private‑drainage assessment forms after a March 20 work session with residents and that the town's drainage engineer, Blake Hall, had conducted 28 of 36 requested assessments despite taking a week off during that period. James described those site visits as substantive and said the data are informing decision packages for the upcoming budget and stormwater‑rate discussions.

On the recently passed bond program, James said both propositions passed and that staff will update the bond landing page on the town website to show project status and timelines; he cautioned there would not be immediate construction the next week and said staff will strategize how to sell the debt and phase projects. Public comment earlier in the meeting also praised the bond passage.

On the Riverwalk art center, James said the town and Denton County have solicited design firms and received around 30 proposals, which staff narrowed to five finalists. Interviews with finalists are planned in the coming weeks, with the town aiming to select a design firm in June, after which a formal design process and more definitive schedule will follow.

Council members and staff said they will provide updates to the council and the public as project timelines firm up and as budget decisions related to drainage and bonds proceed.","The town manager reported staff completed 28 of 36 private drainage assessments in the Cross Timbers neighborhood, said bond projects will be posted to a dedicated landing page and provided an update that five design firms remain under consideration for a joint town‑county Riverwalk art center project.",{"_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},6568714,"Council amends thoroughfare plan to add collectors and minor arterial in Monarch area and near Dixon Road",456,3650000,4106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c&start=3650&end=4106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c/thumbnail_3650000.jpg","/articles/6568714/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Council-amends-thoroughfare-plan-to-add-collectors-and-minor-arterial-in-Monarch-area-and-near-Dixon-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568714-6c741867c977a38d0bc256823eba61ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551140&Signature=nr5gNBujrNmZERZuu5oNhXTvrV5Y85P2x2A3ARh6Fu4ADWNLwKZekuVikO9VJxEv-t~xCntmRC8HgioFmD~QIGeCRjKtxm9WUY~ixNCDdb59UUv-t6JKbjLkn77uZO8BjUDEmzvGL8o~k7w1OtTWwABWYJnw-uaN2Wvey-URoODKeZt6zjpyZbHh58CbFlQj8jzRSPVdkAldeQns240-fmJBhQHMHNQzmUPxVrT7eP7dF-lsMmcrfzNi7rAzT~o-rCk5NL2XnGmEOwziXDLxCtqj5oTFuum51L6UN0F0FcfoNoS5uV7xnIxNb79JQFeZGSu~l5jlw8lHaPCRBBv7og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flower Mound Town Council on May 5 approved an amendment to the town's thoroughfare plan to include a new urban collector and an urban minor arterial within the Monarch development in the far northwest of town, and to add an urban collector between Dixon and Justin that would ultimately tie to Tartan Trail.

Planning staff said the change places local and collector street classifications where future development is expected and matches proposed internal road layouts the Monarch developer has shown. The amendment covers a new blue‑dashed urban collector and a green‑lined urban minor arterial on the planning map; the collector segment east of Dixon would provide an additional east‑west connection that staff said would improve circulation and reduce cut‑through traffic on neighborhood streets.

Matt Hoteling (presenter) said the Town and developer expect right‑of‑way to be dedicated at the time of private development and that the town would only acquire property proactively if council directed it; the Transportation Commission asked whether the Barnett and 407 intersection factor would require additional property acquisition, and staff said the proposed alignment avoids that need.

Staff also noted they received a letter of support from the owner of the property between Dixon and Justin and that the alignment chosen provides better spacing for a signal at 407 and accommodates smart‑growth design principles. Councilmembers who spoke said the connection would provide a needed alternative to route traffic to 407 and reduce neighborhood cut‑throughs.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the thoroughfare amendment. The change will be used as the town and property owners plan future development and right‑of‑way dedications.","The council approved changes to the town thoroughfare plan adding an urban collector and an urban minor arterial within the Monarch development and a proposed urban collector between Dixon and Justin that would connect to Tartan Trail; staff said property owners support the change and no immediate right‑of‑way acquisition was required.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568718,"Council approves concept plan for H‑E‑B at First Ranch with parking deviation request",796,2925000,3721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c&start=2925&end=3721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c/thumbnail_2925000.jpg","/articles/6568718/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Council-approves-concept-plan-for-HEB-at-First-Ranch-with-parking-deviation-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568718-cb35333991337ecf87cd840a17d161af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551140&Signature=Dk19VeRRWZSkgYgzuQdh1KBxk7VFf6lNVf9finjeVf5-8B0z7-0lV9Zol6S5Unr7poday2~g9YlIjFW3kwSAAt9EwXh7hisHPjAcvXRDIGeKp2m9kD-sNfu0-WRzVZn6AWUxKClLisDwTZPYohfYbrbu7d46a2NBs8YXs3b~3oCy8xq~GzGj-rD7HaELlQjbyTrDgdD1ffwymKyQ7~MEZKwqzqi-2LE-4cSAteAKpjz0OyaYD-oJwP9CEbYFxYSwJJ7-UQZcqBz97DgD5Wj60g2RYTRpnNWFsbHb344APn9jpQ7vdhnN5UQmofwrKi-f3LsfMz7XxYg7Ni3VASHnwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flower Mound Town Council on May 5 approved a miscellaneous permit concept for a proposed H‑E‑B grocery store at the northeast corner of First Ranch, clearing the way for further site planning and a parking‑ratio exception request the applicant presented to support the store's anticipated parking needs.

Planning staff described the request as a concept pushed forward as a miscellaneous permit because the applicant sought confirmation about available parking capacity before finalizing purchase and design documents. Alexa Murphy, the town planner making the presentation, said the property lies within First Ranch's mixed‑use zoning and that the applicant requested an alternative parking ratio of one space per 150 square feet — which for the roughly 110,000‑square‑foot building equates to about 733 spaces — instead of the town's standard retail ratio (one space per 250 square feet).

Murphy said the applicant supplied a parking study citing ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) data and observations from existing H‑E‑B locations in the Dallas–Fort Worth area to justify the request. The applicant's presentation included landscape and mitigation plans; Murphy said the proposed landscaping met the town's tree‑planting standards, including an additional tree for every 10 parking spaces required under the town code.

Representatives from the developer and engineering team described ongoing coordination with the First Ranch community and said H‑E‑B had not yet closed on the property. Becca Wayne, with the applicant team, said they were \"very close\" to closing on the property and that the company would forward timeline details once their internal analysis completes.

Council members who spoke at the meeting expressed enthusiasm for an H‑E‑B in the area and urged staff and the applicant to keep parking and shared‑parking options under review. The council voted unanimously to approve Item K2 as presented.

The miscellaneous permit approved Wednesday is a conceptual step; staff said future approvals (site plan, shared‑parking agreements, and any required zoning actions) will be required before construction can proceed. No construction schedule was provided at the meeting.","The council unanimously approved a miscellaneous permit for a conceptual H‑E‑B grocery store at First Ranch, allowing consideration of a parking‑ratio deviation the applicant requested; the developer and staff said the project remains in planning and no construction timeline was provided.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568724,"Flower Mound council adopts ordinance requiring helmets for children, safety rules for micro‑mobility and bicycles",655,2352000,3007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c&start=2352&end=3007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193966-538602df3ac5ba7de5d7ee5f8ac4fe3c/thumbnail_2352000.jpg","/articles/6568724/Flower-Mound/Denton-County/Texas/Flower-Mound-council-adopts-ordinance-requiring-helmets-for-children-safety-rules-for-micromobility-and-bicycles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568724-5a330c42a31b394dbf7ed8eeb7e2bc00/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551140&Signature=CqaxK8lpIHrk2OXrjepVblBnEHxlJxeD-o-dtuEgxS6F0LKpqVooQKJ7ryTasBVUWkhXCQ6CRoE5zYUxJdOf6snOJSWYC2JCVrrbxnRiljBaknDxAep074EiFXMcw5S0QNMtQvhkFtotlXqC0vJzBIMprg6qd0JsSc-FruDn2y9PWkqTfTn4fEj7879rMeDdTvM3SDh-MEOr43l2Dp~pFhDbtxjAuTlcjdl9XSF7iKG2Fq8UoaQrIucFRIXYSUPGwLuh-YBc4nQTo-LAyUUSL4BZ4Du~-BgoQxyMUJr5JpCtym2QGlV-NUfHkmd4sJrribRCZf-BUohh-YPd3KbLMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flower Mound Town Council on May 5 unanimously approved an ordinance that sets safety rules for micro‑mobility devices and bicycles, including a helmet requirement for children and restrictions on handheld and hearing‑impairing devices.

The ordinance makes it \"unlawful for a child — and a child is defined as any person less than 14 years of age — to operate a micro mobility device or bicycle on a public way or on public property within the town unless that child is wearing a properly fitted helmet fastened securely,\" JP Walton, the town's chief strategic officer, told the council during the presentation. Walton said the rules also require lamps and rear reflectors for nighttime operation and prohibit use of handheld electronic devices and headphones that would prevent the operator from hearing approaching vehicles.

Council members discussed simplifying the ordinance language and the practicalities of enforcement and education. Walton described a first‑offense option that would allow a person to show proof of completion of a micro‑mobility safety course within 90 days and have the fine refunded. The ordinance includes a 30‑day delay before it takes full effect to allow residents time to obtain helmets and other equipment; Walton said the delay was timed to the end of school so families would have time to comply.

Councilmembers asked about dual‑ridership language, whether children should be restricted from riding on streets with higher speed limits, and how the proposed safety course would be delivered. Walton said the town intends to offer interactive courses similar to the bicycle safety course the town already provides and to seek opportunities to present proactively to schools if allowed by school schedules. He also said the court will give information about the safety course when someone pays a ticket.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance. The roll call on the ordinance showed five aye votes; no no votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded.

The ordinance references existing vehicle/safety equipment language and aligns the requirements for micro‑mobility devices with those for bicycles; Walton cited Transportation Code provisions for bicycle safety equipment during the presentation. Councilmembers and staff also said they will use the town's communication channels and required statutory postings to publicize the new rules during the 30‑day compliance period.","The Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring helmets for children under 14, lighting and reflectors for nighttime operation, and limits on handheld and hearing‑impairing devices for both micro‑mobility devices and bicycles, with a 30‑day grace period and a required safety course option for first offenses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Garden Ridge Elementary students present cultural‑center proposal for school site after closure

Town staff outlines Cross Timbers drainage assessments, bond‑program next steps and Riverwalk art center progress

Council amends thoroughfare plan to add collectors and minor arterial in Monarch area and near Dixon Road

Council approves concept plan for H‑E‑B at First Ranch with parking deviation request

Flower Mound council adopts ordinance requiring helmets for children, safety rules for micro‑mobility and bicycles