Hello Everyone!
This is a long awaited update. My personal apologies for it taking this long to get information to you. A lot has gone on behind the scenes since the last update, much of which was sensitive in nature and not appropriate to post sooner than now.
As many of you know, Preserve Lake Ridge was able to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order against the activity on the Balcones Ranch construction site in late August 2025, due to unanticipated activity of tree removal within a buffer that was to remain along the escarpment per the approved plan from 2024, adjacent to Lake Ridge. Although all involved parties were process served, the work continued for several days beyond notice. Preserve Lake Ridge appeared in Ellis County court in early September as a result of the defendants' request for dismissal of the TRO. The judge did not mince words and showed displeasure regarding the actions of the developer, specifically the removal of 80% of trees that were supposed to remain as a buffer between Lake Ridge and the new development.
At this point, the damage had been done. The defendants were aware and held little regard for the consequences of their actions. In fact, it was discovered in court that a developer agreement was signed after the initial approval of the zoning change that gave the developer carte blanche to do whatever they wanted with the land, which included removal of trees that had been promised as a buffer. According to original documents, Meritage was going to donate this land to the City as a natural area where walking paths were to be constructed. When trees are removed to within 15 feet of Lake Ridge residents' property lines, what can possibly be developed? In some of those areas, up to 500' of buffer was supposed to remain.
This is in stark contrast to the language within the approved plan that stated any major changes would have to be sent back through the appropriate departments within the City as well as notice to the 200' residents. By signing the development agreement (ask your mayor about that), they signed away their rights as well as the residents of Lake Ridge to have a voice. Why? Because the City desperately needs tax revenue, apparently at any cost.
During the hearing, the judge ordered that no more trees in the proposed canopy were to be removed and that because of this action, the proposed ponds (that were not in the original approved plan) had to be dug due to the imminent threat posed to residents downstream (Lake Ridge residents) to address potential flooding issues. In addition, the defendants' attorneys stated in court that all construction documents were a matter of public record and that anyone should be able to request/review them. This simply was not true. Preserve Lake Ridge requested all documents related to construction prior to the hearing. What was received was incomplete. Since the hearing, requests have been made numerous times to no avail. No other documents through the present date have been shared.
During the September hearing, the judge requested that both parties participate in a mediation. To prepare for this, Preserve Lake Ridge held a virtual and in-person meeting to organize the wishes of the residents to best represent the interests of the community. The mediation was a long and tedious process. It became clear to Preserve Lake Ridge that the defendants were going through the motions at the request of the judge but did not come in good faith to resolve anything. Preserve Lake Ridge was met with NO upon first request, leaving no room for negotiation. At the end of mediation, the City requested to meet with Preserve Lake Ridge to further discuss concerns. Part of the mediation team accepted the invitation and met with the City.
As a member of the mediation team and one willing to meet with the City, it was interesting. There were a total of two meetings, a little over a month apart, taking place in September and October. A number of concerns were discussed. City representatives presented some ideas for consideration. NOTHING was signed or agreed to during these meetings with the City, nor were these discussions presented as attempts to negotiate. However, it became clear to those of us who attended that Meritage was indeed trying to get Preserve Lake Ridge to "accept" settlement terms outside of mediation. We did not, nor would we ever consider accepting anything under these circumstances. We asked to return to mediation but that offer was not accepted.
Between the two City meetings, Preserve Lake Ridge consulted a highly qualified hydrologist who reviewed a preliminary flood study that was completed in 2024. This document is required (a bare minimum) when construction is being proposed so that changes to the land can be studied and appropriate development strategies can be utilized to mitigate flooding. Once a developer gets closer to breaking ground, it is expected that a detailed flood study be done that takes the land and many other factors into consideration to develop a responsible plan for water flow based on the impact of construction.
Acceptable practice in construction is to "do no harm" to adjacent properties. So if you hear City officials or developers say that they can do whatever they want with their land that may be true, but it is ALSO true that they have to exercise responsible practices, particularly where water flow is concerned. When land is developed, the water flow across adjacent property CANNOT be increased, rather it must be either the same or LESS than before. Upon the hydrologist's review, he stated that he had GRAVE CONCERNS regarding the plan, stating its lack of detail and a need for the detailed study.
This concern was brought to the City during the second meeting. It was stated that a more detailed study had been completed at the close of 2024. Preserve Lake Ridge requested a copy of the document. To this date the study has not been disclosed, rather I was personally told that it was deemed "unnecessary" and that the preliminary study was sufficient. Let that soak in a moment.....the City is washing their hands of potential harm from flooding to downstream residents (LAKE RIDGE). The buck literally stops with them. If they are not willing to hold the developer accountable, then who will?
Late last week, the attorneys representing Preserve Lake Ridge have filed a "nonsuit without prejudice" with the City, developer, and landowner. This means that a suit can be refiled at any time if new information comes to light.
My Opinion and Parting Words
I know there are naysayers who say that we should have minded our own business and to trust the City/developers. Do these actions show they have acted responsibly? There are some that assert Preserve Lake Ridge has no standing. Remember that our original stance was to fight the lack of notice to 200' residents. We most certainly had standing to represent those who were not notified.
Although it is TRUE there were some who never received notice, judges don't hold cities to account as they did years ago. Unfortunately, this is a money issue. After all, judges are elected and accountable to their constituents. These days, judges don't stand in the way of progress. They may grandstand in court and say all the right things, but developers and cities know that asking for forgiveness is always easier than asking for permission to begin with. It is an unfortunate truth.
As for the water concerns, this will require people who may be potentially harmed to sign on the dotted line and be willing to take a stand against the developer. For most people, their home is their biggest investment. If you happen to be near this development and the creek or other wet weather runoff, I strongly urge you to do whatever is necessary to protect your home. You owe it to yourself to be proactive. At the very least, use your right as a citizen and speak during city council meetings. Your concerns automatically become a matter of record every time you participate. The City Council is accountable to you!
From the very beginning, I became involved and stayed involved because I love our community and I have a habit of seeing things through. I will always stand for what is right, no matter how difficult that becomes. However, because of the turn these concerns have taken, it now becomes an issue for people who stand to be directly harmed to get involved and advocate for themselves or as a concerned group of plaintiffs. It is the only path forward at this time.
Even though I remained involved during the latter part of 2025, I officially resigned from the board of directors for Preserve Lake Ridge in August 2025 before the lawsuit was served, as did Jacqueline Willcot. Neither of us are in any way affiliated with the official stance or actions of Preserve Lake Ridge as an organization going forward. As a result, I will not be the source of updates and this is likely the last update that will be written on this platform. For future updates, please feel free to contact preservelakeridge@gmail.com for more information.
My contribution to the community will continue through my work as secretary on the board of directors for the Lake Ridge Property Owners Association. I will always have what is best for our community at heart. It is my honor to serve.
I have learned a lot about the law, how cities and developers operate, and so much about development in general throughout this process. One lesson that always rises above the rest is that if you have passion for something, fight for it. Advocating for what is right is never wrong. Being proactive is never wrong.
Preserve Lake Ridge raised awareness when it needed to happen. We may not have been ultimately successful in stopping the development, but that was most likely never in the cards. What we were able to do is get the attention of the City and developer to let them know that there are eyes on this development. As a result, we believe that some changes were made that wouldn't have happened had we decided to remain silent. I know that many of us will continue to be watching.
I wish you all well.
Sincerely,
Kay Whitt