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Town of Little Elm

TOWN OF LITTLE ELM

2012 Annual Development Report

The Town with a Lake Attitude !

100 W. Eldorado Parkway

Little Elm, Texas

75068

Phone: 214-975-0400

Fax: 972-377-5544

E-mail:

[email protected]

TOWN OF LITTLE ELM

2 Town of Little Elm

Building Safety: The Building Safety division is responsible for the review, processing, issuance, and inspection of development related permits, certificates of occupancy, and annual registrations in the Town limits and extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Building Safety is the first step in emergency response by ensuring safe and quality construction for buildings, remodels, and development. CIP/Construction: The CIP/Construction division manages the Town’s capital im-provement projects, permits activity within the Town’s rights-of-way and other ease-ments, inspects the installation and construction of roadways, water and sewer lines, storm-water and drainage facilities, new development, and Town facilities, and coordi-nates with external public agencies and franchises. Engineering: The Engineering division provides assistance and guidance to developers and contractors on new development, infrastructure projects, facilities, and other con-struction. This process includes coordinating development projects, maintaining the Town’s construction specifications and design criteria, providing engineering review and permitting of plans, field inspections, and other special projects. GIS: The Geographic Information Systems division provides a variety of services to sup-port daily operations for the Town of Little Elm and its customers. GIS roles include map creation, managing technology, archiving infrastructure and public safety records, maintaining current base layers, leading special projects, and providing technical assis-tance, statistical analysis, consulting, guidance, and training to external and internal cus-tomers. Health Services: The Health Services division performs routine consumer health in-spections, enforces development codes, coordinates the rental registration program, manages annual registrations, and administers the inspection, improvement, and rehabil-itation of environmental hazards on public and private premises. Health Services pro-tects property values, ensures neighborhood integrity, and enhances Little Elm’s image and reputation by abating grime, enforcing property standards, and preventing commu-nity decline. Planning & Zoning: The Planning & Zoning division manages the planning and de-velopment issues of importance to Little Elm and the surrounding region by being the primary liaison between the Town and developers, administering award-winning devel-opment regulations, supervising special projects, originating future plans, drafting ordi-nances, and providing staff support to numerous boards and commissions. Planning & Zoning ensures functional, high quality, and aesthetically pleasing development that is sustainable, coordinated, and enhances Little Elm’s long-range tax base.

The Development Services Department is comprised of six (6) divisions:


TABLE OF CONTENTS Where is Little Elm?......................................................................................................... .............................................4 Lewisville Lake…………………………………………………………………..………………………………..…...5 Land Area………………………………………………………………….……………………………………..…...6 Future Land Use…………………………………………………………………………...…………..……………...7 Population Snapshot……………………………………………………..…....……………………………………..8 Property Values…………………………………………………………….………………………………………...9 Sales Tax……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...10 Traffic Counts Map…………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Comprehensive Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………...….12 Home Rule Charter……………………………………………………………………………………………….....12 Eldorado Streetscape Plan……………………………………………………………………………………….......13 Commercial Design Standards……………………………………………………...……………………………….13 Residential Development……………..………………………………….….……...……………………………….14 Commercial Development………………………………………………….….……………………………………14 Permit Fees Collected………………………………………………………..………………………………………15 New Commercial Development…………………………………………….…..…………………………………...16 Commercial Construction Finish-outs……………………………………….…………………………………….17 Commercial Construction Tenant Changes………………………………………………………………………...18 New Commercial Businesses……………………………………………….…….......................................................19 Foreclosures………………………………………………………………………………………………………......19 Commercial Permits Map……………………………………………………………………………………………20 Single Family Permits in Town………….……………………………...…..…...…………………………………...21 Single Family Permits in ETJ…………….…………………………………..….…………………………………...21 Newly Constructed Residential………………………………………….…….…………………………………….22 Residential Permits Map……………………………………………………………………………………………..23 Miscellaneous Permits………………………………………………………..……………………………………...24 Health Services……………………………………………………………………………………………………….25 Commercial Site Integrity…………………………………………………………………………………………...25 Annual Permits………………………………………………………...……………………………………………26 Annual Registration Fees…………………………………………...………………………………………………26 Rental Registration………………………………………………………………………………………………….26 Restaurant Scores…………………………………………………….……………………………………………...27 Planning Staff……………………………………………………………….………………………………………29 Board of Adjustment…………………………………………………..…………………………………………...30 Planning & Zoning Commission…………………………………….…………………………………………….30 Economic Development Incentives………………………………………………………………………………..31 Top 5 Employers…………………………………………………………………………………………………….32 Tree City USA………………………………………………………………...…......................................................33 Arbor Day…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...33 Digital Marquee Monument Sign Program…………………………….……….....................................................33 Development Codes…………………………………………………………….......................................................34 Planning Awards………………………………………………………..………......................................................34 P&Z Commissioner of the Year…………………………………………………………………………………...34 Western Rim Properties…………………………………………..………….….....................................................35 McCord Park………………………………………………….………………….....................................................35 Storm Water Management Program………………………………………..…......................................................36 Billboard Exchange Program……………………………………………..…….......................................................36 Capital Improvement Projects………………………………………….……..…………………………………...37 Welcome Town Manager………………………………………………………………………………………….44 Staff Directory…………………………………………………….………….…………………………………….45


Where is Little Elm?


Lewisville Lake

Of Lewisville Lake’s 233 miles of shoreline, over 66 miles of that are in the Town limits of Little Elm, the most of any DFW city. Lewisville Lake spans 23,280 acres. Lewisville Lake is large enough to host a multi-tude of activities such as fishing, water sports, boating, and miles of scenic hike & bike trails. Lewisville Lake is the official "Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas." Fishing on Lewisville Lake includes large-mouth bass, crappie, catfish, white bass and spectacular hybrid white/striped bass. Swimming, water ski-ing, jet skiing, sailing, sail boarding, camping, biking and picnicking all are part of what makes Lewisville Lake a popular destination throughout the year. Lewisville Lake is a Corps of Engineers reservoir that is immensely popular for water sports and outdoor recreation in the DFW area. The Town of Little Elm manages 3 parks on the Corps prop-erty including Little Elm Park, Cottonwood Park, and Beard Park totaling 343 acres.


Land Area

Source: Town of Little Elm

ETJ

Town Limits


Future Land Use

Source: 2008 Comprehensive Plan


Population # % Growth

1970 363

1980 926 155%

1990 1,255 35%

2000 3,646 191%

2010 25,898 610%

____________________________________________________________

2003 11,200 50%

2004 14,410 29%

2005 17,150 19%

2006 19,900 16%

2007 21,793 9%

2008 22,668 4%

2009 23,351 3%

2010 24,000 3%

2011 26,840 12%

2012 28,230 5%

2013 29,231 3%

Estimates as of January 1

Population Snapshot

U.S. Census

COG


Property Values

Little Elm real and personal property tax for 2012 is $0.664971 per $100 in value. Little Elm taxable property value for 2012 is $1,615,536,605.


Little Elm Sales Tax

Fiscal Year Total Sales Tax Received

1¢ Town

.50¢ EDC

.25¢ CDC

.25¢ SMF

2008 2,533,974 1,291,747 645,874 274,044 322,310

2009 2,896,603 1,448,302 724,151 362,075 362,075

2010 3,051,371 1,525,685 762,843 381,421 381,421

2011 3,374,699 1,687,349 843,675 421,837 421,837

2012 3,788,950 1,894,475 947,238 473,619 473,619

$ $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

.25¢ SMF

.25¢ CDC

.50¢ EDC

1¢ Town

Total Sales Tax Received


Traffic Counts in 2012


2008 Comprehensive Plan

2001 Home Rule Charter

The 2008 Comprehensive Plan was a long-range statement of policy intend-ed to direct the growth and physical development of the community for an ex-tended period of time. Comprehensive Planning is a critical function of city government because it re-lies heavily upon various stakeholder input and is in-tended to survive turnover among staff and officials. Through planning, the dia-logue for how Little Elm will change through the years formally commences, and a shared vision for the future is forged.

State law allows cities 5,000 in population to adopt a Charter upon voter ap-proval. In 2001, Little Elm residents approved its Town Charter and formally became a Home Rule municipality. In Texas, a Home Rule municipality is provided inherent governing powers as long as the State Constitution does not preempt the action. Cities in Texas receive little to no aid from the state, yet provide many services that benefit the entire region. Texas Home Rule municipalities possess broader local level power than any other form of city government in the nation.


2007 Eldorado Streetscape Plan

2009 Commercial Design Standards

Eldorado Parkway (aka FM 720) func-tions as Little Elm’s main street, and when TXDOT announced plans to ex-pand the 2-lane asphalt road to a 6-lane divided concrete thoroughfare, Little Elm hired a consultant to gener-ate a streetscape concept plan that in-cluded heavy landscaping, enhanced paving elements, decorative lighting, digital marquee signs, entrance gate-ways, and intersection improvements. Construction of Eldorado commenced in 2012, and its completion is highly anticipated both in terms of traffic ca-pacity and visual appeal.

In 2009, with a record number of applicants, the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association honored Little Elm with the Current Planning Award for its Commercial Design Standards report. This endeavor modernized Little Elm’s de-velopment standards, consolidated and phased out obsolete zoning districts, im-plemented several cutting edge recommendations to eradicate bureaucracy in the permitting process, and is a primary reason why Little Elm’s new growth is visually more appealing and sustainable.


Residential Development

Commercial Development

2012 proved to be a banner year as Little Elm issued the most residential permits since before the recession in 2006. The Town platted 539 new residential lots, and 479 residential lots from previ-ous years were constructed and opened for sale to future residents. 598 new residential homes were permitted, of which 376 permits were in Little Elm town limits, and 222 permits were in the Town’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The ETJ is land area ad-jacent to town limits that Little Elm actively regulates and will likely annex in the future. Sample ETJ subdivisions include Frisco Ranch, Paloma Creek South, and Frisco Hills. With roads being widened and the economy improving, Little Elm expects another strong year

for residential permits in 2013.

Commercial activity accelerated in 2012. 53 new businesses were permitted, including many long-awaited businesses such as Aldi, QuikTrip, RaceTrac, Brakes Plus, the Chevron Fueling Cen-ter, and New Life Community Church. Multiple other notable developments are either under construction or in the permitting process, such as Firestone, Calloway’s Nursery, and Little Elm Eye Care. Little Elm’s first modern multi-family developments were also permitted in The Mansions (416 units) and The Estates (360 units). These luxury apartment communities are located along the FM 423 corridor. Other prominent development cases included the Town-initiated rezoning of McCord Park, the

athletic stadium, and Brent Elementary, approving an SUP/PD for Robin’s Nest Montessori, the

expansion of Sunset Storage, and future Lake Hill Fueling Center, and the final platting of Callo-

way’s Nursery, First Choice ER, and the future 2MG elevated water tower. 2013’s commercial ac-

tivity should prove to be even busier.


Permit Fees Collected

Permits & Inspections $2,700,712 Annual Permits $156,540 Contractor Registration $54,234 Planning & Zoning $16,750 TOTAL $2,928,236


New Commercial Development - 2012

Opened Spring 2012

Opened Spring 2012

Opened Summer 2012

Opened Summer 2012

Opened Summer 2012

Opened Fall 2012

Expected opening Spring 2013


The Mansions & The Estates


Little Elm Animal Shelter

Expected opening Summer 2013


Commercial Construction

Finish-outs - 2012

Project Address Del Taco 2721 Little Elm Pkwy, Ste 200 Centennial Internal Medicine 2721 Little Elm Pkwy, Ste 220 Verizon Wireless 26735 US 380, Ste 103 Premier Martial Arts 2650 King Rd, Ste 600 Lucky Foot 2832 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 204 Foot Care 2700 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 204 Cell Phone Repair 2700 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 408 Baylor Physical Therapy 2700 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 409 ER Center of America 2700 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 104 Wolf’s Lodge Archery 2700 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 202 Arte Dental 1000 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 130


Commercial Construction

Tenant Changes - 2012

Project Address Bruno’s Italian Restaurant 800 W. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 128 Smoothie Bar 2700 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 401 1st Quality Floors 2701 Little Elm Pkwy, Ste 95 Smoke Stax 2405 FM 423, Ste 400 Varsity Road House 26781 US 380 PetWorks Palace 26828 US 380 North Texas Chimney 1647 Witt Rd, Ste 105 Sign Kingz 15222 King Rd, Ste 202 Sharp Construction 15222 King Rd, Ste 1101 Big Bear Air 15222 King Rd, Ste 1102 Spotless Carpet Cleaners 15222 King Rd, Ste 1103


New Commercial Businesses - 2012 Commercial Tenant Change 27 New Commercial Building 13 New Commercial Finish-out 14 Total 54

2008 176 2009 147 2010 198 2011 124 2012 85

Foreclosures


Commercial Permits This map illustrates new commercial activity, including both new commercial buildings and new commercial tenants, in Little Elm and its ETJ for 2012. The largest concentration of activity is unsurprisingly at the intersection of Little Elm Parkway and FM 423. The reader can also observe increased activity on U.S. 380, continued activity at the intersection of Eldorado and FM 423, and new municipal facilities such as the Public Safety Building and Recreation and Senior Centers.


Single Family Permits in Town - 2012

Single Family Permits in ETJ - 2012

New One-Family Dwelling 358 New Two-Family Dwelling 1 Model Home 1 Manufactured Home 16 Total 376

New One-Family Dwelling 78 Residential Plan Review Approval 142 Model Home 2 Total 222


Newly Constructed Residential

YEAR TOWN LIMITS

% ETJ % TOTAL

2012 376 63 222 37 598

2011 270 57 203 43 473

2010 316 83 67 17 383

2009 167 52 153 48 320

2008 123 52 115 48 238

*Residential units include one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, model homes, and manufactured


Residential Permits This map illustrates residential permitting activity in Little Elm and its ETJ for 2012. As is evi-dent, the largest concentration of new homes was in Frisco Ranch and various phases of Sunset Pointe. Stardust Ranch, Lakewood Estates, and Paloma Creek South also showed strong activity. The reader can also observe the beginning of Frisco Hills and continued custom home interest in Little Elm’s estate residential lots on its west side.


Project Type Permits Issued Accessory Structure Permit 6 Electrical Permit 46 Fence Permit 295 Irrigation Permit 26 Mechanical Permit 91 Patio Cover Permit 37 Plumbing Permit 192 Roof Repair and Replacement 128 Sign Permit 103 Tree Removal Permit 6 Temporary Sign Permit 34 Addition or Remodel - Commercial 13 Addition or Remodel - Single-Family 18 Demolition Permit 10 Flatwork 5 Foundation Permit 26 Grading Permit 5 Miscellaneous Permits 27 Pool, Spa and Hot-tub 24 Retaining / Screening Wall 10 Septic System 5 Temporary Building 14 Water Treatment System Installation 1

2012 Total 1,122 2011 Total 803 2010 Total 664 2009 Total 614

Miscellaneous Permits


In 2012, Little Elm brought its restaurant health inspections in-house by hiring its first Development Officer. The Health Services division performs routine consumer health inspections, enforces development codes, coordinates the rental registration program, manages annual registrations, and administers the inspection, improvement, and reha-bilitation of environmental hazards on public and private premises.

Each year the Town inspects its commercial, HOA common areas, and other non-residential sites to ensure continued compliance with devel-opment and safety regulations and to ensure completion of deferred maintenance. This commercial code enforcement program improves the appearance of commercial sites by ensuring dead landscaping is re-placed, abandoned signs are removed, parking lot holes are repaired, and other maintenance is performed to prevent community decline.

Health Services

Commercial Site Integrity


Type # Alcohol 30 Food Establishments 68 Public Pools 14 In-Home Childcare 24 Rental Registrations 1,396

Annual Permits - 2012

2009 $20,720 2010 $53,930 2011 $65,829 2012 $156,590

Annual Registration Fees

Rental Registration

Like many DFW area cities, Little Elm requires rental properties to annually register with the town where they re-ceive an interior safety inspection and an exterior property maintenance in-spection at time of tenant change. An estimated 15% of Little Elm’s housing stock is rental property. Rental registration is a self-sustaining program that protects property values, enhances community pride, and re-duces neighborhood decline.


Restaurant Scores 7-11 Convenience Store #33264 7-11 Convenience Store #34010 7-11 Convenience Store #39164

Aldi Applebee's

Baker's Dozen Donuts Baskin Robbins

Bruno’s Italian Restaurant Burger King

Chevron Convenience Store Chicken Express

Cici's Pizza To Go CVS Pharmacy #8336-01

Dickey's BBQ DJ Donuts

Dollar General Dollar Tree

Domino's Pizza Eldorado Meat Market

Elm’s Liquor Favorite Yogurt Fluffy Donuts

Hong Kong Express Hot Wok Café

Joe's Pizza Johnny Joe's

KFC/LJS Restaurant Kobe Steak and Sushi

Kroger Lakeview Grocery Lighthouse Grill

Los Charros

90 95 91 96 84 92 91 96 95 92 94 94

100 85 90

100 96 93 80

100 94 91 87 91 92 89 97 92 89 90 96

78


Restaurant Scores continued Los Jalepenos

Marble Slab Creamery Mary's Bakery & Taqueria

McDonald's Mexi-go

Mooyah Burgers & Fries Mr. Jim's Pizza

Palio's Pizza Papa John's Pizza

Pat’s Liquor Pick 6 Bar & Grill

Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits QuikTrip RaceTrac

Roma's Italian Restaurant Schmitty's

Smoothie Bar Sonic Drive-In Sonny Donut

Sonny Donuts #10 Sonny Donuts #8

Starbucks Coffee House Subway

Subway #38746

Sushi House Taco Bell

Taco Delite The Lion's Den

Tutti Frutti Yogurt Walgreens #11320 Water's Edge Café

79 89 91 81 85 92 93

100 92

100 96 92 92 89 92 81 94 96 83 90 84

100 97 85 96 95 94 80 91 96 93


Planning Staff The Planning Department is the primary liaison between Little Elm and the development com-munity. Its duties include administering award-winning development regulations, supervising special projects, technical review of development plans, originating future and long-range plans, zoning administration, drafting ordinances, health inspections, managing annual regis-trations, and providing staff support to numerous boards and commissions. Planning & Zoning ensures functional, high quality, and aesthetically pleasing development

that is sustainable, coordinated, and enhances Little Elm’s long-range tax base.

Planning Cases

Case Type 2009 2010 2011 2012

Plats 15 19 17 21

Site Plans 10 8 15 13

Rezonings 6 2 6 5

PDs 4 1 2 1

SUPs 8 8 1 4

Annexations 1 0 1 0

Variances (BOA) 1 0 1 0

Ordinances 12 11 12 7

Special Projects 5 4 17 31

DRC Meetings 48 44 57 84

TOTAL 110 97 129 166


Board of Adjustment (BOA)

Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z)

Per State law, the Board of Adjustment (BOA) consists of 5 members and is a quasi-judicial

board that hears and decides requests for variances, appeals in determinations made by adminis-

trative officials of the Town, and historically made rulings on substandard buildings and amorti-

zation cases. Important to note, the BOA has no authority to amend ordinances or grant use

variances. The BOA meets the first Monday of each month as needed.

The Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) is the primary advisory board to the Town Council

on development issues. These land use matters include rezoning requests, ordinance revisions,

plat approvals, comprehensive planning, and other issues regarding new growth and existing de-

velopment in the Town and ETJ. P&Z consists of 5 members and 4 alternates appointed by

Town Council.


Economic Development Incentives

Incentives that The Town of Little Elm may be able to offer for in-vestments related to the development of a business or manufacturing facility with the Town.

Impact Fee Reductions Tax Abatement Fast Track Permitting and Inspection Procedures Waiving of Platting, Zoning and Building Permit Fees 4A Sales Tax Incentive Grant Little Elm Business Park TIRZ Texas Dept. of Agriculture/ Texas Capital Fund Texas Enterprise Zone Texas Enterprise Fund Freeport Tax Exemption

The above list serves as a general guideline for use in considering an investment. Little Elm is interested in attracting and expanding quality projects and will be very competitive. We offer to provide a detailed incentive proposal for poten-tial projects, following a formal meeting with the developers and end users.


Top 5 Employers

Little Elm Independent School District 785 Kroger 225 Town of Little Elm 205 Lowe’s 172 Retractable Technologies Inc. 160


Tree City USA The National Arbor Foundation designated Little Elm a Tree City USA community for the second year in a row for its commitment to urban forestry. Little Elm’s forestry programs include the annual Arbor Day celebration, aggressive Tree Preservation reg-ulations, and award winning landscape ordinance. Little Elm joins the more than 3400 Tree City communities nationwide and 78 cities in the State of Texas to be designated Tree City USA. Tree City USA is supported by the USDA Forest Service.

In 2012 Little Elm became the first city in the State to complete a city-wide installation of digital marquee monument signs at key gate-ways, per the 2007 Eldorado Streetscape Con-cept Plan. The LED digital message boards en-hance quality of life through increased com-munication to the public about programs, events, and activities occurring in Little Elm. Town Council adopted an operating policy that allows the marquees to display messages from a number of organizations within the town. The policy established the priority use of the marquees, the type of messages that can be displayed, prohibited content, and the pro-cedures to have a message advertised. Little Elm offers an online application process

for advertisement requests. Each sign is mon-

ument style, masonry, has a lighthouse theme

design, and video board.

Digital Marquee Monument Sign Program

The 3rd Saturday of each October, Little Elm cele-brates Arbor Day because fall is the optimal time to plant trees in Texas. It is the customary observance to plant a tree, which is a great long-term property investment, as trees lower energy costs, enrich neigh-borhoods, and reduce pol-lution. Last October, Little Elm gave away over 100 free trees to the first resi-dents attending Arbor Day.

Arbor Day


Development Codes

Planning Awards

Nothing affects the look, feel, and impact of new development as much as a city’s develop-

ment regulations. Little Elm, comparatively, has some of the most advanced landscaping,

architecture, and sign regulations in the state. New development, visually, is noticeably

more quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. The Planning Department takes great

pride in the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association designating Little Elm’s

Commercial Design Standards Report the Current Planning Project award in 2009 – a prize

bestowed to only 1 planning project in the entire state per year. In time, the image and rep-

utation of Little Elm, not to mention its long-range tax base, will be positively impacted by

these efforts. Little Elm met the Chapter’s goals for:

Increasing awareness of professional

planning

Recognizing planning departments

which meet certain professional

requirements

Enhanced neighborhood and citizen

recognition for planning efforts

Encourage the funding of professional

training for Commissioners and staff

Aiding in Economic Development

For the 3rd time in 6 years Little Elm received the Texas Chapter APA award of Excellence. The certifi-cate serves to recognize the professional planning standards demonstrated by the planning staff and P&Z, in addition to the funding and support exhibit-ed by Town Council.

P&Z Commissioner of the Year

The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association chose Little Elm resident, Michael McClellan, as the 2012 Planning Commission-er of the Year. This prestigious and competi-tive honor is awarded to only one (1) com-missioner in the State each year by the Texas Chapter. McClellan, a resident of Little Elm since 1970, serves as Chairman of Little Elm’s Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) and began his tenure on P&Z in 1997.


Western Rim Properties

McCord Park

In 2012 construction commenced on a luxury multi-family development along FM 423. The governing PD required the concurrent dedication and construction of a 38 acre public park by the developer, which is the first community park on Little Elm’s east side. The project will ultimately contain 3 phases, each offering a different product to the consumer. The Mansions offer upscale 2-story townhomes with covered garages; The Estates offer 4-story resort-style apartments, and The Towers offer urban style living with structured parking. The impact of the rezoning case, in addition to the estimated 5 million dollar public park, resulted

in Smotherman Road being reconstructed, the addition of 2 collector streets on the east side of

FM 423, increased housing type variety, and an accelerated development pace for retail pad sites

on FM 423.

In association with the ap-proved multi-family de-velopment, the developer is required to dedicate and construct a 38 acre public park along the Cotton-wood Creek floodplain and FM 423. This is the first major park on Little Elm’s east side. The public park will feature

hike and bike trails, an 18-

hole disc golf course, a

fishing dock, picnic areas,

playgrounds, and a digital

marquee monument sign

to be located on FM 423

that matches others

around Little Elm. Total

land and improvements are

estimated around 5 million

dollars.


Storm Water Management Program The Storm Water Management Program, which uses a nominal monthly fee (found in the utility bill) to provide more effective storm water management throughout the town, supplies water quality protection for Lake Lewisville, clean-outs of inlets, outfalls, and creek debris, in-frastructure improvements to minimize flooding, street sweeping, and other items. Little Elm was among the last cities in DFW to adopt the fee, which other cities have tradition-

ally used for years to address major erosion issues, armor creek banks, dredge drainage ditches,

and other long-term maintenance. As Little Elm grows, the need to maintain the vast urban-

ized underground drainage network (and surface drainage network) is critical, as State and Fed-

eral regulations mandate this maintenance.

Billboards are prohibited today in Little Elm; however, that regulation was not adopted until over 30 such structures had already been installed along major thoroughfares in the town. Now, Little Elm aggressively participates in a billboard exchange program that allows an out-door advertising company to upgrade an existing billboard to LED/digital for the removal of multiple billboard structures. To date, the program has resulted in the contracted removal of 9 billboards along FM 423 and

Eldorado Parkway at key intersections. The LED/digital billboards also must provide free public

service announcements for the Town.

Billboard Exchange Program


Capital Improvement Projects Senior Center The Senior Center is now a completed structure, constructed for use by the Senior Citizens of the Town of Little Elm. The New Senior Center is located on the same site as the Recreation Center. The programming for the Senior Center includes a multi-use meeting room space to host senior events, kitchen, classroom, and other multi-use areas. The size of the facility is ap-proximately 5,000 square feet.

Recreation Center The new Recreation Center is newly completed and located off Main Street near the intersec-tion of Main Street and Button Street on a property currently owned by the Town of Little Elm. The site has access off Lakeshore Drive and Main Street. The programming for the Rec-reation Center includes a multi-use meeting room space to host public events and pub-lic/private meetings, multi-use recreational center for basketball, volleyball, exercise area, classroom and instructional leisure activities. The size of the facility is approximately 23,000 square feet.


Capital Improvement Projects continued

Public Safety Center The Public Safety Center is an approximately 42,000 square feet combined police facility and central fire station located on Eldorado Parkway in front of Town Hall. The police facility accom-modates overcrowding issues and staff growth. The facility includes a jail, municipal court office, sally port, juvenile/victim interview rooms, evidence storage, emergency operations center, patrol officer, and detective work areas. The new central fire station provides sufficient accommodations to properly operate a two company fire station. Productivity and efficiency improves overall when operating the departments under one roof. As the Town’s growth continues, the central fire sta-tion will be able to manage the anticipated in-crease in call volume and services. The new fa-cility houses two engine companies, medic crews, future rescue company, future battalion chief, administration personnel, training room, hands-on training room, inspections, investi-gations, EMS supplies, bunker gear supply, re-hab, conference room, and emergency opera-tions center.

Animal Shelter The Animal Shelter will be a 3,497 square foot animal shelter located on Mark Tree Lane. The new facility will have 24 dog kennels, cat room, adoption / viewing room, quarantine room, check-in room, washroom, reception desk and an office. The project will also have 12 dog runs and a sally port for the off loading of animals and food supplies.

2MG Elevated Water Tower This project will include a two million gallon elevated water tower storage tank. Town Council approved the tower location. The tower is to be located at the intersection of Little Elm Parkway and Eldorado Parkway on property that is currently owned by the Town. This will complete the ultimate need for ele-vated water within the Town.


Capital Improvement Projects continued

Wastewater Interceptor & Lift Stations #4 & #6 The design includes detailed plans and specifications for the replacement of the existing eighteen inch (18”) gravity main with a thirty inch (30”) gravity sanitary sewer from the north side of Eldorado Parkway across from Brenda Lane through the Courtesy Drop Site and the Public Works Service Center into the main WWTP lift station and replacement of the existing service road due to the alignment and depth of the existing gravity sanitary sewer main. Another part of this pro-ject is the replacement of Lift Station # 4 on Main Street and Lift Station # 6 on Lakeshore Drive. Both lift stations were installed with the Town’s original 1976 Sanitary Sewer System and need to be upgraded to current standards. Improvements will also be made to the courtesy drop site.

Library Remodel Expansion includes renovation to the existing library as well as making modifications allowing the use of additional space within Town Hall. The expansion and renovation will double the current library space and enable more room for a larger book and audiovisual collection, more space for all age programming, separate areas for adults and youth, increased computer availability, addi-tional meeting rooms, and quiet study areas. The expansion includes relocation of the utility bill-ing office to an upstairs space of Town Hall along with other work on the second floor of Town Hall that will address acoustics and efficient space planning.

423 Utility Relocation The design includes detailed plans and specifications for the replacement of the existing ten inch (10”) force main with a fourteen inch (14”) sanitary sewer force main from just north side of Frisco Ranch down to the existing Kroger force main recently installed and into an existing manhole on Eldorado Parkway just before the Woodlake Parkway intersection. The existing sani-tary sewer force main is undersized for future develop-ment on the Doe Creek Peninsula. In addition to the force main, there are several sections of existing water and sanitary sewer gravity mains within the limits of the FM 423 TxDOT improvements that need to be adjusted or relocated due to conflicts. Funding for this design and construction is available through the Utility CIP Bond Fund. A majority of the work will be reimbursa-ble to the Town from TxDOT since these lines are with-in existing easements. The design engineer believes that reimbursable number to be approximately eighty per-cent (80%) from experience on dealing with reim-bursement relocation projects in the past with TxDOT.


Capital Improvement Projects continued Little Elm & Denton County Projects

Lobo Lane Paving & Drainage The project includes the design and construction of underground storm water system to improve drainage and construction of a concrete street with sidewalk improvements, a trail to connect Cottonwood Park to Little Elm Park along the West side of Lobo Lane, and adding street lighting and landscape enhancements. Improvements will provide increased capacity for existing schools, marina development, Cottonwood Sports Complex, and industrial development. The project scope was increased to include extending Lobo Lane through Little Elm Park and connecting to newly finished Main Street.

Main Street East & Lakeshore Realignment Phase II The Main Street Phase II Improvements will reconstruct Main Street from the Clark Street inter-section to Eldorado Parkway. Also included is a realignment of Lakeshore Drive to Clark Street with parking and a bus loop turn around at the LEISD King Early Learning Center. This new sec-tion will be a thirty one foot (31’) concrete pavement, eight foot (8’) trail sidewalk along the North side of Main Street and a five foot (5’) sidewalk on the South side with new barrier free ramps and stamped intersection crossings, trees along the curb, water, wastewater gravity line and force main, irrigation, street lighting, and underground drainage improvements. These drainage, water, and utility improvements are designed to improve access and serve future expansion with the Community Recreation Center & Senior Center Site, Main Street, Lakeshore Drive, Button Street, and Clark Street.

King Road West King Road will be widened to four-lanes from Witt Road west to the Town Limit. This project will provide a four-lane undivid-ed roadway which would service transportation needs for the sur-rounding neighborhoods, Hack-berry Elementary School, and improved access for commercial and retail businesses along King Road. The improved roadway will improve access and increase de-velopment along King Road and Witt Road.


Veterans Memorial Bridge This project includes design and bridge construction for Witt Road over the Cottonwood Creek. The old bridge had an extremely low eleva-tion and was frequently closed due to high water. This roadway connects FM 423 to Eldorado Parkway and is instrumental to local mobility and emergency response time. This bridge is located on the only north-south thoroughfare through Little Elm.

Capital Improvement Projects continued Little Elm & Denton County Projects


Capital Improvement Projects continued Texas Department of Transportation Projects

Eldorado Parkway (FM 720) JD Abrams continues work throughout the project limits. They have now installed and moved the traf-fic to the temporary paving necessary for complet-ing the Phase 1 construction. The contractor expects to open the first half of the bridge in April 2013 and will begin the demo of the old bridge soon after that. The three northern lanes of Eldorado Parkway are expected to be completed in Fall 2013 and all six lanes should be completed and open for traffic in Spring 2014 with remaining punch list items to be completed by Fall 2014.

The Town with a Lake Attitude!


Capital Improvement Projects continued Texas Department of Transportation Projects

FM 720 (Eldorado Parkway north to US 380) The design plans are 60% complete and TxDOT continues to develop the construction documents. TxDOT has obtained the environmental clear-ance to start the right-of-way pro-cess. The engineer will now work on the completion of the right-of-way map. The project is expected to be bid out in fall of 2013.

FM 423 (Eldorado Parkway to US 380) TxDOT has acquired most of the ROW. Utility relocation has now commenced and all utility companies are scheduled to be completed by July 2013. The design plans are fin-ished and TxDOT is anticipating bid-ding the project out in the spring of 2013. TxDOT is projecting construc-tion to take approximately 24-26 months.

FM 423 (Little Elm Parkway to southern Town limits) Austin Bridge and Road was awarded the bid for this project ($29 Million) and has completed construction. Austin Bridge and Road finished with the stamped concrete in the medians and other final details and opened all traffic lanes in December 2012.


Welcome Town Manager Matt Mueller

Matt Mueller became town manager of the Town of Little Elm on September 17, 2012. Be-fore coming to Little Elm, Matt served as the city manager for the City of Guthrie, Oklahoma. He holds a bachelors degree in political science from the Uni-versity of Central Oklahoma and a Masters of Public Administra-tion degree from the University of Oklahoma. Matt lives in Lit-tle Elm with his wife Rachel, their dog Toby, and look forward to the arrival of their first son Trek in early 2013. Mueller succeeds Ivan Langford, III as town manager of Little Elm. Doug Peach, Assistant Town Manager, served as Interim during the search process.


Town Council Mayor David Hillock District 1 - At Large Richard Stevens District 2 Stephanie Shoemaker District 3 Curtis Cornelious District 4 Chip Norman District 5 Katie Gipson District 6 - At Large Bill Roebken

Planning Manager Dusty McAfee, AICP

Development Services Coordinator Lisa Reich Health Services Mike Green, CCEO Building Official Dale McKendrick GIS Coordinator Suzanne Wachal-Basham Construction Manager Alan Anderson CIP Manager Lynn Tompkins

Town Staff

Executive Staff

Town Manager Matt Mueller Assistant Town Manager Doug Peach Director of Development Services Jason W. Laumer, P.E. Executive Director, EDC Jennette Killingsworth


The Town with a Lake Attitude!

2012 annual development reportlittleelmedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/annual... · 2 town of...

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