Planning commission backs Monarch thoroughfare plan amendment after staff presentation

The Flower Mound Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of the Monarch thoroughfare plan amendment, a transportation map change tied to a previously approved master-plan and zoning amendment for the Monarch project.

Staff presentation summarized earlier reviews by the Transportation Commission and explained that the applicant proposed replacing an Urban Minor Arterial with an Urban Minor Arterial undivided (a four-lane curb-and-gutter section without a median) and removing a separate collector segment that had been planned to connect across Denton Creek. The change responds in part to topography and retaining-wall constraints noted by the developer and to Transportation Commission questions about traffic modeling assumptions.

Why it matters: The amendment alters expected cross sections and right-of-way needs for the far northwest portion of town, affecting how future development would connect to I-35E frontage roads and Denton Creek Boulevard.

Discussion: Staff noted that the change reduces assumptions made in the traffic impact analysis about cross-section capacities and that the developer restored a previously omitted right-of-way reservation requested by the city of Argyle. Commissioners asked about signal warrants and whether the intersection would become a stop-controlled location as volumes change; staff said operational warrants and future signal studies would guide any changes.

Public comment: One resident (Tim Wisenant) spoke in support of the amendment, urging approval.

Vote: The commission voted in favor of recommending approval of MPA 25-0003 (Monarch thoroughfare plan amendment). The roll-call record shows one commissioner (listed in the meeting as Commissioner Begg) voting no; other commissioners voted yes.

Next steps: The commission'09'09s recommendation will go to Town Council for final action; staff noted the item was scheduled for council consideration on Nov. 3.

Source: Staff presentation and the Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing record.