There’s no doubt our community is under pressure to develop.  Many see our town, our school district, and proximity of Liberty Christian School as a preferred place to raise their families or just a great place to live.  They’re right.  As the metroplex develops around us, and we are seeing it encroach from at least three sides today, we need a strong plan for our controlled growth.  Our Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which is our basis for future zoning, was adopted in 2001.   All in all it is still a good plan today, but by ordinance the plan must be updated periodically.  The Town Council has approved funding to update the plan and we have hired a consultant to help us through the process.  This is an excellent opportunity for our community to speak up and offer their vision of Argyle’s future. 

The update will include a look at the thoroughfare plan, parks and trails plan, and commercial overlay areas.   The analysis will be based on economic modeling to assure that the recommend zoning offers enough development to sustain the quality of services expected by our citizens.    A key part of this study, and any recommended change, is to balance the necessary commercial areas with the residential component to maintain our quality of life.  If we are to maintain our rural environment that is so important to us, we must find that sweet spot with zoning and density and balance it with just enough commercial to keep us financially sound in the future.  

The Council has selected a citizen Steering Committee that includes council woman Haynes.   These community volunteers will be providing the necessary input to the consultant to reflect the needs, wants and visions of our community.  It’s important that these volunteers hear from the public and from our existing boards and committees.  The Steering Committee will make recommendations through the normal venues of Planning & Zoning and Town Council as prescribed in our ordinances and the Local Government Code.  I encourage all of you to attend what meetings you can and participate when possible.  

We have a great opportunity at this point-in-time to plan the future of our town.  If we fail collect a representative cross section of the public we will have an uphill battle in the future.  The consideration of all in the community is critical.   Please keep in mind the old adage that average effort equals average results.   I don’t think any of us consider Argyle to be, or want it to be, just an average town. 

Much more information will be coming once the Steering Committee gets a chance to meet.  We agreed at Town Council that these will be open meetings and we’ll publish meeting times in the same manner as we do Council meetings.  There will be plenty of opportunity for public comment and I personally assure you we will make every effort to notify our citizens of these meetings.

Greg Landrum

Mayor

For more from the Mayor and his vision statement click here