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Flower Mound ECC tables Forestwood Middle School tree-removal permit, asks district to attend
Summary
The Environmental Conservation Commission voted to table a request to remove 15 specimen trees for a Forestwood Middle School track replacement and asked staff to invite Lewisville ISD to explain the project's need. Staff estimated mitigation at about $76,400; the tabling was unanimous by roll call.
The Flower Mound Environmental Conservation Commission voted Feb. 3 to table a tree-removal permit request for Forestwood Middle School, asking town staff to invite the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) to a future ECC meeting.
Staff introduced TRP 25,009 and said the district would need to remove 15 specimen trees from the roughly 21-acre campus to build a new track and in-field amenities. Jake, the town's urban forester, told commissioners the site contains 28 specimen trees and estimated mitigation at about $76,400, with the applicant able to mitigate through on-site replanting, payments into the town's tree fund, or a mix of both.
The applicant's landscape architect, Megan Hatcher of McAdams, described the proposal as a move to provide a "true" oval track and field area rather than the existing walking track, and said the district had worked with town staff to produce the current layout.
Resident Claire Harris, who spoke during public comment, urged the commission to preserve specific specimen post oaks on the site, saying the trees (noting a 41.5-inch post oak and a 31-inch post oak in her remarks) are "so hard to replace" and asked the town and district to continue coordinating to save them.
A commission member moved to table the item "to a future ECC date to be determined" and to request LISD be invited to present; another member seconded. The motion passed by roll call. Staff emphasized that while the ECC can request the district attend, it cannot compel LISD to appear.
Why it matters: Commissioners and residents pressed for more information about the necessity of on-site field facilities versus use of nearby district properties and asked whether project alternatives could save specimen trees. Staff will invite LISD to present at the next feasible ECC meeting or a special session, and the permit will return after the commission has heard from the district or completed further review.
Next steps: Staff will contact the applicant and the district to coordinate attendance and will advise commissioners on available special-meeting dates; no final tree-removal decision was made at this meeting.
