Transportation commission recommends midblock streetlight on Palermo Trail over homeowner objections

The Flower Mound Transportation Commission voted 4-2 on April 8 to recommend that staff proceed with installing a new streetlight midblock between 6637 and 6641 Palermo Trail in the Terracina subdivision.

Town transportation staff presented a field evaluation showing the existing streetlight spacing in that segment of Palermo Trail exceeds the town design standard of 600 feet, calling the distance between the existing poles about 680 feet. Thomas (Town of Flower Mound transportation staff) told the commission, "This location meets the town's streetlight standards and placement," and staff recommended adding the midblock fixture to improve nighttime visibility for pedestrians and drivers.

The commission discussion centered on two issues: the technical finding that the midblock gap met the town standard for a new light and residents' complaints that the installation proceeded without adequate direct notification to the homeowners most affected. David Kumar, who identified himself as the resident at 6637 Palermo Trail, told the commission he was "here tonight to protest the light that's proposed to be installed right in front of our home," and submitted a petition he said represented the six most directly impacted households: five opposed, one indifferent. Kumar told the commission the homeowners were not directly contacted by the HOA and that two brief HOA newsletters (December 2023 and March 9, 2025) did not amount to adequate notice.

Michael Avari, a Terracina homeowners association board member and past president, said the HOA had publicized the plan through newsletters and open meetings and urged the commission to approve the town recommendation. Avari said the community generally "welcome[s]" streetlights and argued they provide an additional layer of security: "Any layer of security that the town can provide is most welcome." Donald Dawson, a nearby resident, also spoke in support, saying several neighbors had contacted staff in favor of the lights for safety reasons.

Staff outlined the project's timeline: the HOA requested an evaluation in November 2023; staff measured spacing in December 2023 and identified four candidate locations (three were prioritized for installation); staff added the three to the 2024–25 streetlight priority list and presented those locations to the commission in April 2024; staff coordinated placement and cost estimates with CoServ (the utility) in late 2024, and the town received and paid a CoServ cost estimate in December 2024. Thomas told the commission CoServ crews began installing lights on March 20, 2025; staff said the cost estimate for the Palermo location had been paid and CoServ had staked locations on-site.

Commissioners pressed how residents are notified when installations occur inside homeowners associations. Staff said the town generally works through HOAs to reach residents when an HOA exists; for areas without an HOA, staff sends direct letters to impacted property owners. Several commissioners said the town should require direct outreach to immediately adjacent homeowners even when an HOA handles broader communication. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a formal notice policy; the commission asked staff to bring a policy back at a future meeting.

After discussion, the commission took a motion to recommend staff proceed with the proposed Palermo‑Trail light at the presented location. The roll call recorded the following votes as read into the record: Commissioner Landry — aye; Vice Chair Hogue — no; Commissioner Mulder — aye; Commissioner Hughes — no; Commissioner Moriera (recorded on the roll) — aye. The motion passed 4-2. Staff noted the town had already paid the cost estimate and asked impacted residents to coordinate with staff for minor on-site matters such as the utility pedestal and final box placement.

Why this matters: the item combined a technical standards question (spacing that met the town's 600-foot guideline) with neighbor concerns about how installations affecting private property are communicated. The commission's recommendation lets staff continue the installed program at the paid location while commissioning a follow-up on how the town notifies nearby homeowners in HOA contexts.

The commission directed staff to return with a proposed notification policy for future streetlight installs; staff will continue coordination with CoServ on the physical installation and with the HOA on community outreach. No change to town ordinances was made; the action was a commission recommendation to staff.