ECC votes against tree removal for Toll Brothers project

Flower Mound's Environmental Conservation Commission (ECC) voted, 4-1, Tuesday to deny a request for the removal of four specimen trees on the Bunn-Gourley tract, located south of FM 1171 and east of Flower Mound Road.

The 89.9-acre site is the location for a proposed residential development by Toll Brothers, which has built other neighborhoods such as Terracina, The Preserve and The Sanctuary.

The development is expected to include 158 residential lots.

"We are the Environmental Conservation Commission," said commissioner Carol Kohankie, who did not get a vote since she is an alternate. "To approve four trees like this in this district ... it's just something to consider."

Among the four trees requested for removal was a 36.1-inch post oak tree and a 27.4-inch post oak tree.

Commissioners were also concerned that plans for the development are in the early stages and that a true number of trees needed to be removed wasn't yet available.

The site includes 663 trees, 40 of which are specimen trees.

Commissioners were also concerned about the high density of the development. Project officials are expected to request a rezoning at Monday's planning and zoning commission meeting for single-family with 10,000 square-foot lots (SF-10).

Ron Robbins of Toll Brothers., however, said SF-10 is often requested but that the density usually goes down once the development is complete.

The town council can still vote in favor of the tree removal request despite the ECC's recommendation.

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ECC votes against tree removal for Toll Brothers project