Flower Mound Leader > News
Council denies childcare facility
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
The Flower Mound Town Council on Monday unanimously denied a request for a specific use permit (SUP) for Children's Learning Adventure Childcare Centers because of location concerns.
The project, which was set to include a 26,056-square-foot building, a 30,000-square-foot playground and a small retail area, was proposed to be located at the northeast intersection of FM 3040 and Morriss Road.
The planning and zoning commission denied the request a week earlier because of concerns about it being located at a busy intersection. Monday, council members agreed.
"It just wasn't a good fit on that property," said Mayor Tom Hayden. "We like the concept, but it was the wrong spot for it."
Hayden said it was an intense use for that area. The facility was expected to serve about 530 children.
Hayden said the council was also concerned about traffic flow. The two entrances were on FM 3040 and Morriss, which council members were concerned might get backed up at peak drop-off or pick-up times.
Nearby residents in the Tealwood Oaks subdivision, located behind the proposed project, were also concerned that parents would drive through their neighborhood to bypass congestion on Morriss.
The item was expected to be postponed because David Newton, project manager for Children's Learning Adventure, on Thursday requested an extension before taking the plan to the council, adding that company officials are confident they can come up with a plan to address P&Z's concerns.
Instead, the company's officials appeared at the council and wanted to go forward with the plan.
"The question was asked if there was any new information that could change anyone's mind, and we couldn't find any," Hayden said. "So we felt like going forward with this was the right thing to do."
The project, which was set to include a 26,056-square-foot building, a 30,000-square-foot playground and a small retail area, was proposed to be located at the northeast intersection of FM 3040 and Morriss Road.
The planning and zoning commission denied the request a week earlier because of concerns about it being located at a busy intersection. Monday, council members agreed.
"It just wasn't a good fit on that property," said Mayor Tom Hayden. "We like the concept, but it was the wrong spot for it."
Hayden said it was an intense use for that area. The facility was expected to serve about 530 children.
Hayden said the council was also concerned about traffic flow. The two entrances were on FM 3040 and Morriss, which council members were concerned might get backed up at peak drop-off or pick-up times.
Nearby residents in the Tealwood Oaks subdivision, located behind the proposed project, were also concerned that parents would drive through their neighborhood to bypass congestion on Morriss.
The item was expected to be postponed because David Newton, project manager for Children's Learning Adventure, on Thursday requested an extension before taking the plan to the council, adding that company officials are confident they can come up with a plan to address P&Z's concerns.
Instead, the company's officials appeared at the council and wanted to go forward with the plan.
"The question was asked if there was any new information that could change anyone's mind, and we couldn't find any," Hayden said. "So we felt like going forward with this was the right thing to do."
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