Flower Mound Town Council members unanimously approved rezoning the proposed Bunn Gourley West property from agricultural district to planned development district No. 138 and a tree removal permit for 11 specimen trees at Monday’s meeting.
On the Bunn Gourley West properties, which is solely owned by Toll Brothers, plans call for a residential development with homes valued at $650,000 to $800,000. Using a cluster development design, an estimated 105 lots would be located on almost 171 acres with 84.9 acres or 53 percent of open space. The estimated density would be .61 dwelling units per acre, said Robert Paul, division president of Toll Brothers.
Four clusters of homes are designed to allow the open space to follow the topography of the property, leaving tree groves and water features in place. Amenities include a hike and bike trail and equestrian trail as well as view corridors for passersby to see the open space at key intersections including Quail Run and bends in Flower Mound Road. Also proposed is a pedestrian bridge and a vehicular bridge, Paul said.
“We tried to make it right for the land,” he said. “We looked to see where it made sense to put houses. We looked to see where not to put houses.”
Of 110 specimen trees on the property, only 11 may need to be removed, Paul said. “We will attempt to save some of these,” he added. The developer also plans to save as many of the 939 protected trees as possible.
The idea, he said, is to create an open feel with home lots ranging from a half acre to well over an acre. The average lot size will be three-fourths of an acre, he said.
The large homes, to be designed similar to Toll Brothers homes in Frisco, will use a septic system as required by the Conservation Development District.
The project will possibly include a tree-lined entryway, picking up the town’s trail near Post Oak Park and winding it throughout the community, ending to the west, Paul said. The development also will include the town’s equestrian trail.
Though no name for the Bunn Gourley West project has yet been decided, Paul said the company was working on several names.
A small triangular piece of land now owned by Wellington will be taken over by Toll Brothers and maintained, Paul said.
The developer anticipates completing the development plan and setting up the property within the next year. With 20 to 22 home sales per year, the property would reach build-out in five years, he said.
During a public hearing, resident Sherilyn Flick said the cluster development serves as an example for other developers across the U.S. “The development, as far as being a conservation development, is fabulous,” she said
“I think it sets the standard when they bring cluster developments through what they need to do,” Tom Hayden said. “What you did here is exactly what cluster developments should be.
Councilmember Bryan Webb echoed the mayor’s sentiments.
“This is exactly what we wanted,” Councilmember Michael Walker said.
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