Denton Economic Development
414 Parkway
P.O. Box 1719
Denton, TX 76202-1719
940.382.7151
940.243.9695 metro
940.382.0040 fax

Home » News / Reports » News Releases » City OKs Land-use Changes

News Releases

City OKs Land-use Changes
May 16 2007
By Lowell Brown / Staff Writer, Denton Record Chronicle

Rejecting claims that a new retail center in Denton could doom Golden Triangle Mall, City Council members on Tuesday approved land-use changes to support the hotly debated Rayzor Ranch development.

"We're pleased with both projects," Mayor Perry McNeill said, referring to Rayzor Ranch and a $40 million plan to revamp Golden Triangle Mall. "It's not either-or. It's both."

Council members also approved a record $62 million in sales tax incentives to the Rayzor Ranch developer in return for public infrastructure improvements.

Dallas-based Allegiance Development is developing the $850 million mixed-use project at Interstate 35 and University Drive in north Denton.

Larry Feldman, whose company owns Golden Triangle Mall, had vigorously fought the changes. After the vote, he said he still believed more deliberation was needed.

"I still don't think a city the size of Denton needs two shopping malls," said Feldman, chairman and chief executive officer of Feldman Mall Properties. "But the city's made the decision. I respect the decision."

An estimated 150 people filled council chambers at City Hall to speak out on the proposals, forcing some to stand along the back wall. Opinions were mixed, but the majority of speakers supported Rayzor Ranch.

"That end of town looks like it's dying, and it needs some development," resident Barbara McCoy said.

Resident Betty Wright said she worked at the Kmart on University Drive before it closed in 2003. Without Kmart, Denton's north side is hurting for shopping options, she said.

But critics such as Andrea Breedlove said the project would spell disaster for Golden Triangle Mall, which anchors the city's major shopping hub at Interstate 35E and Loop 288.

"It's two exits away on the highway," Breedlove said. "Who's going to go to the old mall?"

Plans for Rayzor Ranch call for about 2 million square feet of retail space, along with restaurants, single-family homes, apartments, an outdoor amphitheater, public parks, medical facilities, office complexes, two museums and a multi-story hotel.

City leaders said new home development and demand for regional shopping centers would provide more than enough shoppers for both Rayzor Ranch and Golden Triangle Mall.

"We certainly have a dynamic growing area here in Denton, and I firmly believe we can support two malls," council member Jack Thomson said.

Feldman had announced plans for a $40 million renovation to Golden Triangle Mall. But in recent days, he said Rayzor Ranch was jeopardizing those plans by targeting his tenants for relocation.
Dillard's, a mall anchor, plans to build a new store at Rayzor Ranch, but Rayzor officials deny targeting mall tenants.

The council is reviewing the 410-acre Rayzor Ranch development in three phases. The land-use changes approved Tuesday will accommodate the second phase, which deals mostly with a planned retail area south of University Drive.

In March, council members approved land-use changes to accommodate an 800,000-square-foot retail center north of University. Wal-Mart Supercenter and Sam's Club are expected to anchor the center.

Officials still must approve the final phase of changes to allow homes, apartments and offices. Those measures will likely come before the council within three months, said Brian Lockley, Denton's interim planning director.

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail address is lmbrown@dentonrc.com