Flower Mound conservation commission recommends denying removal of two specimen oaks at Knights Landing amid neighbor drainage concerns

The Flower Mound Environmental Conservation Commission on Feb. 4 recommended denying a developer request to remove two specimen post-oak trees on the 24-acre Knights Landing property, and asked staff to continue coordinating with public works and the town’s floodplain manager on resident drainage complaints.

The recommendation came after about a dozen residents described recurring flooding and erosion that they say is concentrated downstream of the proposed development and urged the commission to preserve the site’s trees and wildlife corridors. Jacob Sumpter, representing the property owner and developer, said the developer is proposing nine two‑acre lots and that two specimen trees were included in the removal request to accommodate drainage infrastructure and a potential future house site on Lot 8.

Why it matters: Residents said erosion and undersized culverts north of Sunset Trail have created a recurrent flow that damages yards, fences and outbuildings and that removing mature post oaks risks worsening habitat fragmentation and long‑term canopy loss. The commission’s recommendation denies the tree‑removal permit and sends the issue — and residents’ drainage concerns — to Town Council for a final decision.

Residents who live downstream described repeated flooding and erosion they say increased in severity after about 2018. Nancy Proctor Honeywell, a resident of Ridgecrest Drive, told the commission: “I am against those 2 specimen trees being removed as well.” Cheryl Hurst, who said she has…