Jill Alcantara, the Greens of McKinney
Re: Zoning Cases 16-041PF and 15-310Z.
Council Meeting March 22, 2016 - In council Chambers at 222 N. Tennessee - 6 PM
Our city has deliberately chosen to preserve and protect our natural Green Space - Open Space, creeks and forested areas. This respect for preservation is what made us Unique by Nature.
We have Ordinances that prevent building in the 100 year Flood Plain and we have a Tree Ordinance that prevents the removal of more than 30% of the desirable trees on Flood Plain property for a dozen good reasons. Ask our officials not to allow any variances to these ordinances and do not set a precedent that can affect the core of McKinney for years to come, generations to come.
There are two pieces of flood plain property near Lake Forest that have just been rezoned by the City of McKinney to allow about 50 homes to be built. The building of homes is actually only part of a problem, they would likely be compatible with neighboring homes. The land to be developed, is virtually all within the 100 Year and 500 Year FEMA Designated Flood Plain and covered with beautiful canopy shade trees.
The development of this property is contrary to the intent of the McKinney Comprehensive Plan:
- Comprehensive plan for Future Land Use
- The High Priority Preservation Plan
- Comprehensive Plan for Flood Plain Hazard Mitigation
- The Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan
- The Hike and Bike Trail Master Plan
These properties must be completely re graded and re shaped to allow a street and 50 residential lots to be built up and lifted out of the flood prone area. Re grading, the cutting of one area and the filling of another means that over 700 desirable trees will be lost. The flood waters will take a new path designed by and engineer. Please don't allow this short cut to development, it will create a precedent that can never be taken back.
We, as residents, voted in these very Ordinances to protect our Green Space - Open Space for future generations. It is imperative that NO variances to those Ordinances be granted, they must be enforced as written. Council Members are elected and City Staff is hired to enforce all of our Ordinances and protect our creeks and trees, not to make sacrifices that serve short term goals.
Our commitment to these goals feeds the very heart of McKinney.
Please email the City so that they will not make these decisions without input from you. Mayor: Bloughmiller@mckinneytexas.org
If you have questions about this post you can email Jillalcantara@aol.com.