Town of Argyle staff will request that Town Council consider imposing a property development moratorium along FM 407 between US 377 and I-35W at a council meeting next Monday.
The property development moratorium, if approved by Town Council, will last for a period of up to 120 days and would pause all new subdivision plats, site plans, zoning changes, and Specific Use Permits in this corridor. Permitting for existing buildings and previously approved plats and site plans in the area would not be affected.
“Professional staff have concerns about traffic congestion along FM 407 in this area,” Town Administrator Rich Olson said. “We have seen traffic counts double in the last five years.”
Recently approved subdivisions in this area and to the west have contributed to traffic congestion. Traffic counts are now nearing 17,000 trips per day on the two-lane road, and available roadway capacity is stretched. Scheduled roadway improvements for FM 407 and I-35W will take years to begin. The property development moratorium, if approved, would address traffic concerns in the interim period.
In addition, Town staff needs to review drainage in this area to ensure that current development activity does not cause adverse impacts on downstream property owners. Town staff will hold those discussions with the Town Council at their November 2, 2020 meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for the November 4, 2020, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
Town staff hope to address their traffic and drainage concerns during the period.