The town of Flower Mound is one of the most affluent suburbs of Dallas/Fort Worth. Located in a more rural region of Denton County, it’s known for large lots and a fair number of horses — and the town planners are putting their foot down to try to keep a lid on growth. According to the Cross Timbers Gazette, the Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commission recently said no to rezoning for the Serenity development.

The Flower Mound Planning and Zoning Commission was acting in accordance with the wishes of the town’s residents, who were overwhelmingly opposed to the requested rezoning. The land in question, known as the “Serenity Cluster,” was 28.92 acres located just north of Lake Grapevine within the Cross Timbers Conservation Development District.

The land is currently zoned A, for agricultural use. Developers were requested rezoning to allow lots smaller than two acres. The development called for 16 single-family lots on individual septic systems. It also would have had 54 percent open space, greater than the required 50 percent, a 25-foot-wide landscape buffer, and a split-rail fence.

Community members registered resounding opposition to the project. A total 45 percent of town residents within 200 feet of the project signed a petition opposing the change. Only 20 percent have to object to trigger a supermajority vote.

At the heart of the issue is the character of the community. Residents know each other’s names and wave hello on the trails around the area. The development would be a gated community, which locals say violates the spirit of the town.