they all depend on each other.” This integrated approach ensures that public safety, infrastructure, and recreation all work together to create a seamless experience for residents and visitors alike. PROTECTING NATURAL ASSETS As a newer town, Little Elm benefits from modern building and energy efficiency standards that many older cities must retrofit into their infrastructure. Streetlights are already LED, and building codes emphasize energy conservation. Stormwater quality is a high priority given the town’s downstream location, with the drainage department working to ensure that runoff entering the lake is clean. Planning and zoning requirements, tree preservation ordinances, and green space protections help prevent overdevelopment from erasing the natural beauty that makes Little Elm unique. “We’re not going to tear down paradise to pave a parking lot,” Mueller says, noting that environmental stewardship is both a moral responsibility and a competitive advantage. STAYING FOCUSED, BUILDING MOMENTUM The town’s strategic direction has remained consistent since 2013, and leaders are focused on 124 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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