Houses vs. Trees in Colleyville: Trees Win Against WillowTree Custom Homes For Third Time

Colleyville trees were up for debate yet again Tuesday night. For the third time inside of a year, it was new residences from WillowTree Custom Homes vs. old-growth trees in a battle put before the Colleyville City Council

The city council debated and then voted on a revised proposal from a developer who wants to build estate homes on 14 acres located between Pool Road and Wilkes Drive. It’s WillowTree Custom Homes versus nearby homeowners and tree preservationists, round three.

And in a four to three vote, the council denied the developer’s proposal without prejudice for what would be The Bluffs Colleyville. For almost a year, the 14-acre property has been at the center of a debate about whether it should be rezoned from agricultural to single-family residential. Tuesday’s vote means the developer can return to the city council for further discussion at a future date.

WillowTree Custom Homes’ Newest Proposal

The ongoing clash centers on a parcel situated between Pool Road and Wilkes Drive in this Northeast Tarrant County suburb. Colleyville’s remaining lots are scarce, making 14 acres look attractive to housing developers, while the plans for this site inspired a group of citizens to organize in opposition. The citizens oppose what they maintain will destroy an urban forest.

The latest vote on Dec. 19 denied the developer’s latest proposal, which focused on reducing the number of residential lots to nine and placing the primary entrance on Pool Road into the planned, gated development. Voting with the council’s majority to oppose the latest revisions were Chuck Kelly, place 5; Brandi Elder, place 1; Scotty Richards, place 3; and Ben Graves, place 4. Voting in the minority were May Bobby Lindamood; Mayor Pro Tem Callie Rigney; and George Bond, place 2.

Opponents’ Take

The council previously voted unanimously in February and June to deny the zoning change that would allow The Bluffs Colleyville to be built. Initially, the plan included 14 lots for luxury homes, and this last plan called for nine. The council’s most recent split vote indicates changes were deemed acceptable to some council members.

Meanwhile, the community opponents remain in dissent.

“The native, old-growth Eastern cross, Timbers Forest is divinely situated on a steep slope into the Bear Creek watershed, which is prone to flooding,” Tim Waterworth messaged after the vote. Waterworth is a leader of a group organized to oppose the development. Save Colleyville Trees “It should be conserved as public property into perpetuity as primarily a nature conservation area with limited public access trails. Based on the many conversations I’ve had with citizens about this land and the development proposal…That’s what the people want and will support.”