Voters in an eastern Denton County subdivision have decided to become a city.
Residents of Providence Village said the opportunity for self-government gives them some financial control over their mostly rural area. They also said they like the idea of being able to pass ordinances relating to public safety, zoning, taxation and future development.
Dr. Venus Reese, who has lived in the community since 2004, said developers who have been building strip malls and other retail businesses in the area now will have to "deal with us."
"That, to me, is what democracy is -- the ability to say and to contest and talk it through," Reese said.
The new town of Providence Village boasts more than 4,800 residents, but fewer than 500 people voted in Saturday's election. The decision to incorporate passed with 296 for the measure and 125 against it.
Homeowner Trish Parker said she worries the low turnout may foreshadow what it will be like to get residents to run for city office. She said that it's one thing to want to self-govern, but quite another to actually do it.
"It does scare me, the power and the control and the people -- it's a scary deal," Parker said.
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Providence Village already has an elementary and middle school, as well as an elaborate park system. The community has also operated as its own water district.
John Malek-Ahmadi, who just moved into his home a week ago, said he welcomes the impending change.
"I don't think it's a problem," he said. "I mean, that's the democratic process, which is a good thing, and the more you can do it, the better."
The newly formed city now has to begin the process of governing. In the next few weeks, Providence Village will begin to field a pool of candidates to run for office and petition Denton County for a special election.
