A community meeting at the heart of one of Denton's oldest communities was supposed to be a chance for city leaders to make the case for a new water tower be built in the community, instead neighbors put the city on the defensive, accusing them of ignoring their concerns and moving full steam ahead with the project despite their objections.
Denton plans to build the new water tower near some rural property off Roselawn in the Denia neighborhood. The city's engineer, Frank Payne said the water tower is critical, and that without it, Denton could lose it's superior water system rating.
Officials said a lower water rating would not only mean higher insurance costs, but also the inability to insure good water pressure for neighborhoods on the city's south side while also leaving no way to predict whether the city could provide water for new residential and commercial developments.
Opponents said they never wanted a water tower in their community and expressed concerns over falling property values, diminished views from their homes as well as the enviornmental impact -- to make room for the giant-sized tanker, dozens of mature oak trees would be destroyed.
The real anger from opponents was about the process. The Denia neighborhood is designated by Denton for 'Small Area Planning.' Residents said they were assured that, as an older community with specific guidelines for growth, they would be consulted by city planners regarding any development.
Residents said that didn't happen and that the Denton planning and zoning commissions, as well as other groups studying the city's water problems, have all endorsed putting the new water tower in the Denia neighborhood.
Denton's city council is expected to vote on funding for the project at their meeting on Dec. 2.
