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 lived at her Ridgecrest property since 1999, said the water that now runs through yards and pastures overtops driveways and has damaged fences and a neighbor’s pool. “It wasn’t until the year 2018 that the massive flooding … started to happen,” she said.

Jacob Sumpter, the applicant, told the commission the development design surveyed more than 267 trees on the site and that the team had worked with staff and engineers for about a year. “The intention is for us to limit the erosion that’s occurring in the creek itself right now,” Sumpter said, adding that tree number 2154 would need to be removed to accommodate a proposed inlet at the top of the bank intended to reduce bank erosion. He also said the developer intends to accept runoff that currently flows onto the site and to design infrastructure so post‑development flows do not exceed predevelopment flows.

Commission debate focused on two themes: the condition and role of the subject trees in stabilizing the bank, and whether future public‑works work on Sunset Trail and its culvert would change flows. Several commissioners and residents noted visible root exposure and fallen trees along the creek, and multiple residents showed photos and video of dramatic runoff. One commissioner said the large post oak on the southern portion of the site is the largest post oak they have seen in Flower Mound and urged preservation.

Staff and applicant statements: Town staff confirmed the site is zoned agricultural with a two‑acre minimum and lies within the Crosstimbers Conservation Development District. Staff said the project would be reviewed by engineering and that post‑development flows must meet the town’s engineering design standards so the development cannot increase the flow off the property beyond existing conditions. Staff also reported recent council actions unrelated to the application: the council approved the commission’s prior recommendations on a separate Pine Hill tree permit and accepted donations and a matching Texas A&M Forest Service grant to support the town’s tree‑planting program.

Formal action and next steps: A motion to recommend denial of the requested permit for removal of two specimen trees (agenda item TRP‑24‑0012, Knights Landing) passed; the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to Town Council, which makes the final decision on permits. Commissioners also approved minutes from the commission’s Dec. 3, 2024 meeting during the consent calendar.

Staff follow‑up: During the meeting staff noted the commission cannot engage in lengthy back‑and‑forth with public commenters during the hearing but said staff had collected addresses, videos and photos and would follow up with the floodplain manager and public works to investigate the drainage complaints. The commission chair asked that staff include updates on any public‑works schedule for culvert/pipe repairs in a future staff report so residents know the expected timing.

Context and community concerns: Multiple residents cautioned that replanting smaller nursery trees does not replace mature post oaks’ canopy or ecological function, and they urged the town to consider conservation‑style development options for the property. Several speakers described wildlife movement through the site and called the area an important corridor linking wooded areas and creeks feeding Lake Grapevine.

What was not decided: The recommendation to deny the tree removals is advisory to Town Council; the council will review the commission’s recommendation and the permit application. Staff did not provide a firm timeline for public works’ culvert repairs; staff said it is on the public‑works capital improvements list but could not specify a completion date at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Consent — minutes from Dec. 3, 2024: motion to accept passed (commissioners recorded as voting Aye: Commission member Sharma; Commission member Workman; Commission member Spurlock; Commission member Atherton; Vice chair Bowman; Commission member Takash). Tree permit — TRP‑24‑0012 Knights Landing (request to remove two specimen trees): commission voted to recommend denial; motion passed and will be forwarded to Town Council for final action. The meeting record does not include a numerical roll‑call tally for the denial motion in the transcript excerpts provided.

Commissioners and residents who spoke on this item said they expect continued follow‑up from staff and the applicant. The Town Council will receive the commission’s recommendation and related materials at a future council meeting for action.