Fair Oaks Ranch council postpones MDD funding decision for proposed community center after residents raise location, size and tree-preservation concerns

The Fair Oaks Ranch City Council voted to postpone indefinitely a resolution directing the city manager to submit an amendment to the Chapter 377 project funding agreement between the Fair Oaks Ranch Municipal Development District and the City of Fair Oaks Ranch to include the full construction cost for a proposed community center.

Councilmember Emily moved to postpone consideration; the motion passed by voice vote with no further action scheduled. The item was not presented to council after the motion to postpone was made.

Why it matters: the proposed project involves Municipal Development District funding and a new roughly 5,000-square-foot building intended to serve public meetings and private events. Residents said the chosen site next to the city campus raises risks for nearby homes and an elementary school, threatens mature oak trees, and could require ongoing taxpayer support for operations and security.

Several residents and two written submissions read into the record urged the council to reconsider the location and scope. The Grahams, in a letter read to council, urged reuse of the abandoned Montessori School on Leslie Pfeiffer as a lower-cost alternative and wrote that converting an existing site would “save the historic fair foreman’s home and heritage oaks.” Patricia Altamore, in another letter, warned that “a 5,000 square foot building that can seat up to 200 guests will create a traffic nightmare” and raised concerns about parking, evening security and potential litigation exposure for the city.

Resident Sharon Bridal told council she and other residents remain unconvinced the current plan is the best use of MDD funds and suggested renovating an existing ranch-style building on the city campus or pursuing alternate sites such as the abandoned Montessori property.

Council action: Councilmember Emily offered the motion to postpone the resolution indefinitely before staff presented the item; the motion carried by voice vote. No amendment or alternate direction to staff was adopted at the meeting.

Background and next steps: the resolution would have amended an existing Chapter 377 project funding agreement between the Fair Oaks Ranch Municipal Development District and the city to increase the district contribution to the community center project. Council did not take the requested amendment or fund-approval action on the item; the item is postponed indefinitely and will not return for consideration unless council later rescinds the postponement.

Community context: the letters and public comments cited neighborhood names such as Chartwell and Saddle Song, and raised tree-protection and traffic impacts near the city campus and adjacent elementary school. Residents specifically urged the council to revisit earlier site suggestions and to rework the MDD agreement language so it aligns with the project the public expects.