Flower Mound P&Z Commissioners approve cell tower for Lakeside area

Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commissioners made short-work of Monday’s agenda items.

The commissioners approved– finally– a site plan for the long-awaited cell tower to correct the “dead zone” in the Lakeside Business District and surrounding area.

The 120-foot communications tower southeast of the intersection of Spinks Road and Aberdeen Drive—on the same property as Lisanti Food Service- will be home to three service providers initially. Such macro towers are still preferred over small-cell antennas, due to their larger coverage-range and because they have a battery backup.

They also unanimously approved a request to expand the Valley Creek Church parking lot by 240 spaces for a total of 1,067 spaces.

The 34,754-square-feet church is located at the southeast corner of FM 2499 and Dixon Road. In the past 18 years, Town Council has approved requests to expand the parking area– most notable, in December 2012 by 694 spaces– to accommodate the growing congregation. The “mega” church averages more than 4,300 worshipers for both of its Sunday services, as well as those who remain for additional church programs and events.

Not recommended for approval by the Town Council was RaceTrac’s request for a gas station with eight fuel pumps and a 5,411-square-feet convenience store on 1.74-acres at the southeast corner of FM 2499 and Spinks Road.

The main problem is that “size does matter;” especially when it comes to large tanker-trucks trying to enter and exit the small site, which is part of a larger 17.68-acre undeveloped tract of land.

Drew Cunningham, representing Atlanta-based RaceTrac, assured the commissioners that the RaceTrac-employed truck drivers will be able to maneuver in the tight space and pointed to the more than 130 DFW RaceTrac stores as proof of the company’s expertise.

Commissioner Laura Dillon thanked RaceTrac for its design modifications following P&Z’s previous review suggestions and said she had no concerns about truck drivers on FM 2499.

Commissioner Robert Rawson agreed the design modifications are commendable, but said the time to build feels premature.

“It’s too cramped and there’s not enough circulation,” said Commissioner David Johnson, before questioning whether including a shared entrance with the adjoining property might solve the problem.