Council approves inclusion of 19.62 acres in Meadows MUD and first amendment to development agreement

The Denton City Council on Oct. 14 consented to the inclusion of roughly 19.62 acres into Denton County Municipal Utility District No. 16 (the Meadows MUD) and approved a first amendment to the district’s amended and restated development agreement. Both actions passed 6–1.

Staff said the MUD, which already includes about 1,000 acres and thousands of housing units, petitioned to add the parcel to enable infrastructure financing and that city consent is required. Under negotiation, staff secured commitments to apply the existing development agreement’s standards to the additional acreage and to a contribution toward planned improvements to Jackson Road, a Denton County roadway.

City staff explained the city has limited discretion over MUD formation and that denying consent typically leads a petitioner to pursue state procedures through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; consenting while negotiating added standards and a county-road contribution was the staff recommendation.

Council debate focused on regional benefits and fiscal implications. Supporters said the amendment aligns the area with existing development standards and secures county investment in Jackson Road; one dissenting member argued consent would increase the MUD footprint and that standards or funding trade-offs required more caution.

The council approved the resolution consenting to the additional acreage and later approved the first amendment to the development agreement by recorded votes (each 6–1). The actions include an associated strategic partnership agreement and potential future annexation at the city’s discretion. Staff said the amendment will obligate the MUD to the agreed standards and the negotiated contribution to the county roadway improvements.