Little Elm rejects building moratorium
By LAURA CHILDRESS

While traffic on area roads is bad and only going to get worse once construction on Eldorado Parkway begins, the Little Elm council decided during their meeting Aug. 8 that imposing a moratorium on new residential construction isn't the solution.

Mayor Frank Kastner noted that the possibility of a moratorium was brought up primarily because of traffic issues.

"Our intent is to get TxDOT moving a little faster,” he said.

Town Manager Ivan Langford noted that TxDOT is currently slated to go out for bids on the widening of Eldorado through Little Elm in November 2008, with improvements to FM 423 slated to go out for bid the following month.

Local businesswoman and former economic development commission member Karen Johnson urged the council not to enact a moratorium that might hinder potential economic development but instead to use its legislative connections to expedite road improvements.

"I don't think we need to just sit back and hope TxDOT does this," she said.

Councilman David Hillock noted that a report by staff revealed a moratorium would have no positive impact.

With much of the new residential development occurring outside town limits in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, Hillock said a moratorium would result in new development "moving on down the road.” In an effort to improve communications with residents, the council authorized the establishment of LETV, a town informational channel on Grande Communications cable network, at a cost of $3,689. The town currently receives more than $25,000 per year in franchise fees for cable franchises.

Councilman Hillock noted Grande currently has 1,100 customers in Little Elm, with access to another 1,900.

In addition, Hillock said, the town is also seeking a similar agreement with Sudden Link, the town's other cable provider.

The council also approved, with Councilwomen Brenda Mills and Beverly Hughes opposed, revising and expanding the town center concept plan to meet the expanded scope of the project following public input and inclusion of a pedestrian gateway under Eldorado Parkway.

While Councilmembers Mills and Hughes expressed concerns with the work completed and timing related to the budget, the rest of the council noted that the change was the town's and, thus, its fiscal responsibility. In addition, delays could impact the gateway since TxDOT is nearing completion of the design phase of the Eldorado Parkway expansion.

In other business, the council: 

* Approved revisions to the outdoor lighting code, following a public hearing.

* Heard a request by resident Linda Kastner to revisit its garage sale permit requirements.

* Approved the consent agenda, consisting of the minutes of the July 17 precouncil meeting, public hearing and regular council meeting and July 24 work session; final acceptance of water, sewer, drainage and street improvements for Sunset Pointe Phase 18; final plats for CF Dynamic Office, located at 1901 W FM 720, the Shops at Sunset Pointe, located northwest of the intersection of FM 423 and Panther Creek Parkway, and Sunset Point Phase 24A, 13 lots at the southwest corner of Woodlake Parkway and FM 423; payment of $75,000 in a sales tax rebate to Lowe's; an ordinance establishing speed zones near public schools; a resolution calling for public hearings on the annexation of Spiritas Ranch; final payment to Crescent Constructors for construction of the Mansell Pump 4; and an ordinance regulating parking in residential districts.

* Authorized staff to revise an ordinance and allow residents outside town limits to participate on the Keep Little Elm Beautiful Committee.

* Approved, per the recommendation of the finance director, a new Administrative Services Manager job description to be filled by current employee Dee Dee Hale, despite concerns by Councilwomen Beverly Hughes and Dee Dee Lear that the action be delayed until after the new budget is approved.

* Tabled a water and wastewater study until after the new budget is completed.

* Approved an amendment to the single family residential irrigation rates.

* Annexed the sixth and final phase of Lake Lewisville property, 1,604.19 acres south of the bridge to the marina.

* Annexed 4.229 acres of right-of-way along US 380 adjacent to property previously annexed.

* Authorized overnight stays by the council in Dallas for the annual TML convention.

* Scheduled a work session on the capital improvement program Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. in council chambers and a work session on the budget Aug. 25 at 8 a.m. at the town service center.