JSteffen
22 July 2004, 05:05 PM
Farmers Branch bracing for DART development
11:19 PM CDT on Thursday, July 15, 2004
By SCOTT STAFFORD / The Dallas Morning News
With DART light rail expected to roll through Farmers Branch by 2011, city officials and developer Harwood International are poised to begin detailed redevelopment plans for the Old Farmers Branch area.
City officials and the business community are looking forward to the development and the commerce it is expected to generate. But some residents are wondering what will happen to the homes and many old trees in the area.
In the area around the intersection of Valley View Lane and Denton Drive, just east of Interstate 35E, planners envision a commercial and retail zone. East of the DART tracks, multistory buildings with a mixture of retail and office space at street level and apartments in the upper floors are anticipated.
The first step has already been taken – the Dr Pepper StarCenter and Conference Center is expected to open in November.
One neighborhood resident, Brian Koen, noted that there is a grove of about 38 post oaks at the corner of Rossford and Denton drives, across the street from the StarCenter. He estimated the trees range from 300 to 500 years old.
"And there are about 10 of them all around the neighborhood," he said. "One great big one could be 600 years old. It shades my whole house. I am worried about them – wondering if they're going to get cut down."
His father, also of Farmers Branch, shares his concerns.
"Justification for construction has to have limits," Donald Koen said.
Michael Spicer, Farmers Branch director of community services, said that the grove has been set aside for preservation but that some of the other older trees might be lost.
E-mail sstafford@dallasnews.com (sstafford@dallasnews.com)
Dart bring development whereever it goes....
11:19 PM CDT on Thursday, July 15, 2004
By SCOTT STAFFORD / The Dallas Morning News
With DART light rail expected to roll through Farmers Branch by 2011, city officials and developer Harwood International are poised to begin detailed redevelopment plans for the Old Farmers Branch area.
City officials and the business community are looking forward to the development and the commerce it is expected to generate. But some residents are wondering what will happen to the homes and many old trees in the area.
In the area around the intersection of Valley View Lane and Denton Drive, just east of Interstate 35E, planners envision a commercial and retail zone. East of the DART tracks, multistory buildings with a mixture of retail and office space at street level and apartments in the upper floors are anticipated.
The first step has already been taken – the Dr Pepper StarCenter and Conference Center is expected to open in November.
One neighborhood resident, Brian Koen, noted that there is a grove of about 38 post oaks at the corner of Rossford and Denton drives, across the street from the StarCenter. He estimated the trees range from 300 to 500 years old.
"And there are about 10 of them all around the neighborhood," he said. "One great big one could be 600 years old. It shades my whole house. I am worried about them – wondering if they're going to get cut down."
His father, also of Farmers Branch, shares his concerns.
"Justification for construction has to have limits," Donald Koen said.
Michael Spicer, Farmers Branch director of community services, said that the grove has been set aside for preservation but that some of the other older trees might be lost.
E-mail sstafford@dallasnews.com (sstafford@dallasnews.com)
Dart bring development whereever it goes....