North Texas News

DENTON – The Denton City Council voted 4-3 in favor of new taxing districts that will contribute to the construction of Cole and Hunter Ranch, two new housing developments.

The proposition met with some resistance from the public, with counter opinions from the public voiced during the video-conference Council meeting, according to the Denton Record Chronicle.

Six residents submitted their objections to the City Council, either by calling in to the meeting or online.

Local resident Eric Pruett told the Council he was concerned about the effect a likely recession following the COVID-19 crisis could have on the developments. He expressed the view that the ratio of public funds to private investment could be a problem down the line.

However, City Manager Todd Hileman told the City Council that due to the planned scope of the projects – which are expected to take four decades to complete – the possibility of weathering a recession had already been taken into account.

The combined projects are expected to bring approximately 15,000 new homes and businesses to the area over the next 40 years. Yet Hileman said the additional tax burden of supplying the infrastructure to make that possible would not be felt by current residents.

“There are no subsidies in this project,” he said.

Hileman said the position the city negotiated with developers Stratford Land and Hillwood reflected lessons that were learned from the Robson Ranch and Rayzor Ranch developments.

There were two concessions by the developers in order to reach an agreement with the city. The first is 500-foot setbacks from former gas wells. The second is a conservation easement for Pilot Knob Hill.

The Council approved the conservation easement unanimously.

Council member Jesse Davis said the easement would benefit the city as a whole since it would be open and accessible to all residents.