Coram Deo Controversy
Monday afternoon during the reception for new Town Manager Harlan Jefferson, one council member told me the meeting to follow Monday night would be full of fireworks. Even at 5:45pm, the chamber was filling up. For those expecting a show, the meeting didn't disappoint. After hours of debate, the council approved the school's application for two temporary buildings on their existing property. Council voted unanimously 5-0 to approve, overruling a unanimous denial by P&Z just a few days before.
The conflict pitted church/school versus neighborhoods along and near Wichita Trail. The conflict had political, legal and religious implications. It affected grown-ups and kids. There were traffic and land-use concerns. It had a little bit of everything that we tend to fight about, when we do fight in Flower Mound.
The Leader has a good recap here.
Were you there Monday night? What happened? What do you think about the council's decision? Click the comment button right below.
posted by Chip Mahaney @ 11:19 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
While no one was opposing the school itself, the neighbors were concerned about 720 students (K-12) on the school site everyday at buildout. The traffic and safety issues that will be created by this decision were not fully looked at. A site plan application does not require those things to be included in the decision. The "traffic study" sumbitted by the school was laughable. The study was filled with errors and inconsistencies and should never have been allowed as reality (plus the fact that one guy counting cars was actually asleep during his gig).
I'm saddened that the business owner has used threats of litigation from day one. It proves to the neighbors that he really doesn't care about the community, just "me, mine, ours". His convenience of getting accreditation will come at the long-term inconvenience of the neighbors.
If you would have seen the "applicant" during the Town Council meeting, you would know what I mean. He paced the back of the room, strutted like a rooster and basically handed out high-5s to everyone (including the kids he made come talk about how great he is).
This agenda item was strictly about temporary buildings. Not one single person got up and said anything anti-Coram Deo or anti-religion. This meeting was about temporary buildings. The applicant was afforded the opportunity to move onto his property (yes, we all agree that it is his property) approx. 8,300 square feet of temporary buildings-to fill a need created voluntarily. I wish I could move 8,300 square feet of semi-permanent, modular (manufacturers words) structures on my property, open up a business, try to raise the money necessary for real buildings, all the while enjoying the traffic, safety and noise issues that I have created but choose to ignore.
Yeah, he loves his neighbors.
Post a Comment
<< Home