Published: May 15, 2008 07:25 pm            

Developers marching to Timber Creek

Galen Scott

gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com

Cars entering The Estates of Timber Creek follow a looping street through a peaceful, tree-lined community of about 70 well-kept brick homes before winding back to Washington Drive — the only way in and out.

Thick woods on all four sides protect the isolated neighborhood from noise and traffic, which is impressive, considering Stephen F. Austin Elementary School, the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, Weatherford College, Weatherford Regional Medical Center, Wal-Mart and Interstate-20 are about five minutes away.

Directly south of Timber Creek, Jim Frank owns 11 acres divided into two properties separating the neighborhood from Interstate-20. Frank is asking the City of Weatherford to change his property’s current zoning classification from ‘Agricultural/Multi-Family Residential’ to ‘Interstate.’

Zoning establishes the types of land uses permitted on a specific tract of land, and regulates the size, intensity, and height of development, as well as signage, screening, and parking related to development.

Dozens of Timber Creek residents showed up at the two most-recent Weatherford City Council meetings to protest Frank’s requested zoning change. Though several acknowledged the Fort Worth land owner is entitled to a profitable sale, Timber Creek residents want the city to grant ‘Planned Development’ zoning instead of ‘Interstate.’

A broad spectrum of commercial businesses are allowed on land zoned ‘Interstate.’ However, planned developments provide the city more regulatory authority, and paint a more complete picture of the land’s intended use.

The city council delayed a decision on Frank’s zoning change request during its two previous regular meetings.

If the city grants ‘Interstate’ zoning, which is consistent with its comprehensive zoning plan, Timber Creek residents are particularly worried a drainage problem associated with South Holland Lake Creek will only get worse.

Sherry Gary bought a house in Timber Creek 10 years ago. She said the first time her property ever flooded was three years ago when retail construction commenced on the south side of the Interstate.

Gary said her property has flooded five times this year.

A report detailing the drainage situation was presented to the city council last summer by Terry Hughes, who was acting as the city’s director of community development at the time. Hughes recommended the council take no action, and none was taken.

Aside from concerns about South Holland Lake Creek, Gary is vexed by the likelihood commercial development will continue on the north side of the Interstate before the city addresses Washington Drive.

The portion of Washington that provides access to Timber Creek is narrow, includes a routinely problematic low-water crossing and is plagued by a throng of pot holes.

The city estimates commercial development on Frank’s property would generate more than 5,000 additional vehicle trips per day.

“Unless they get the traffic situation and the drainage addressed before they do something with that property over there, then we have no way of knowing what will happen,” Gary said.

After approximately 40 Timber Creek residents voiced their concerns to Weatherford Mayor Dennis Hooks during an informal meeting April 28, city staff went to work preparing short- and long-term action plans for Washington Drive and South Holland Lake Creek.

A presentation of the city’s report is expected to take place during the city council’s next regular meeting, May 27.

Unfortunately for Timber Creek residents grown accustomed to peace and quiet, encroaching development is not limited to Weatherford Ridge, where JC Penny is about 1,000 feet away.

According to Weatherford ISD Superintendent Deborah Cron, the district is planning to sell the high school’s agricultural farm, which stands between Frank’s land from Weatherford Ridge.

In addition, East of Timber Creek, a new bridge is planned to connect Holland Lake Drive with the south side of the Interstate, establishing an eagerly-anticipated traffic artery from east Highway 180 to the south side of Weatherford.

To the north, developer, car dealer and Parker County Appraisal Board member Jerry Durant owns — outright or through a trust — approximately 20 acres between Santa Fe Drive and Timber Creek.

Seven of those 20 acres — the portion facing Santa Fe — were once parkland owned by the City of Weatherford. In order to pick up the seven acres, Durant traded 14 acres he owned northeast of Holland Lake, where the city is conducting a large-scale park expansion.

Based on a written request, the Weatherford City Council agreed on April 8 to abandon the portion of Clear Lake Road which runs between Durant’s properties.

According to a summary written on the city’s April 8 consent agenda, Durant’s grantor trust wishes to incorporate the road into its holdings for, “future planned development.”

        

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