Flower Mound commission recommends denial of Eden Ranch open-space plan; approves limited specimen-tree removals

The Environmental Conservation Commission on July 1 recommended denial of the Eden Ranch Open Space Management Plan for submission to the Town of Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council, and separately approved a tree removal permit allowing removal of eight specified specimen trees while denying removal of the remaining 22 specimen trees proposed by the developer.

The commission’s recommendation on the open space management plan was driven by concerns from multiple commissioners that too much of the proposed “open space” would be used for managed agricultural activity (including limited grazing and orchards) rather than being left or restored to natural prairie habitat. The motion to recommend denial passed on a 5–1 vote (Takash, Fulbright, Atha Pan, Vice Chair Bowman and Workman voting aye; Spurlock voting nay). The project site is approximately 335 acres north of Cross Timbers Road, west of Shiloh Road and east of Red Rock Lane.

Why it matters: Eden Ranch is a high‑profile development proposal in the Cross Timbers area of Flower Mound. Commissioners pressed the developer on the difference between open space preserved for habitat and open space managed for agricultural uses, and on how the town’s conservation objectives would be met on land where grazing and orchards are proposed. Public commenters echoed those concerns, saying the site contains signature Cross Timbers post oak habitat that should be conserved.

Developer presentation and plan highlights Tyler Radbourne, the property owner and lead applicant, presented the project with designer Quint Redmond. Radbourne described the Eden Ranch concept as a “purpose‑driven” development intended to blend residential lots with productive agricultural open…