Our position is not one of anti-development, but rather in support of development consistent with the ethos and standards of George and Cynthia Mitchell. In particular, we ask that the following standards be upheld:

1. Natural forest buffers between roads and neighborhoods/commercial buildings consistent in width to those in Panther Creek, Indian Springs, Cochran’s Crossing, and other Villages. Our forest buffers in Creekside are razor thin in comparison and sometimes non existent.

2. Selective cutting rather than clear cutting during commercial development. In the older villages, it appears the standard was that any mature tree growing in an area of softscape in the finished design would be protected. In Creekside, the practice has been to clear cut the entire block all the way to the street and then replant with small trees. These will look nice in 40 years, but it’s not the same as leaving the trees that were already growing in these garden areas.

3. Selective cutting rather than clear cutting by residential builders. Once again the contrast is stark between Creekside and the older villages. We understand that neighborhood lot sizes are smaller now, which makes it difficult to leave trees between homes, but there is no good reason why trees can’t be left between the homes and the street. Builders in Creekside usually bulldoze all mature trees in front of the home and then replant with small trees, destroying the forest aesthetic that we all love about Woodlands neighborhoods.

4. Thoughtful reforestation with native trees consistent with the species diversity of our mature forests. In many neighborhoods of Creekside, and around commercial development, 100% Live Oaks are planted in the landscape. Between roads and fences, 100% pines are planted. These may look okay in 40 years, but a natural mix of Loblolly Pine, Red Oak, Water Oak, and other native trees would grow faster and provide the forest aesthetic consistent with the Woodlands vision.

We understand that Creekside Village Center is being purposefully developed more densely than the other Villages. The Woodlands Town Center is cited as the comparison. If this is the case, then you can still follow the four points we outline and stay true to Woodlands Principles. The Town Center still has forest buffers, mature trees growing in softscape close to buildings, and species diversity in the replantings.