Lewisville ISD track replacement at Forestwood Middle School clears council with tree mitigation commitments

Representatives for Lewisville ISD and the district's engineer presented plans to replace and lengthen the existing track at Forestwood Middle School and to add practice-field amenities. The district said the project responds to equity goals—Forestwood is the only LISD middle school without a full-size track—and that the 2024 bond funds the work. The district and its consultant described two layout concepts considered; the chosen concept removed fewer trees and required relocating a storage building rather than installing a starter chute and impacted compatibility buffers less than the original plan.

Planning staff said the site contains 28 specimen trees and the proposal requests removal of 15 specimen trees to accommodate the regulatory-size track; Lewisville ISD told the council it will provide required tree mitigation and plant 50 trees as part of the project. LISD representatives emphasized that no bleachers or stadium lights are included in this bond-funded scope, and that competition fields with lights are located elsewhere in the district.

Council members asked about neighbor outreach and whether residents had raised concerns; the district and staff said notices were sent and no feedback had been received at the time of the meeting. Council members noted the district's choices reduced tree impacts and expressed support for the site plan and mitigation. With no public comment cards for the item, the council voted to approve Item K4 (site plan) and Item K5 (tree removal) by roll call (K4 passed unanimously; K5 passed unanimously by roll call). The district said it will work with staff on planting and park improvements and will return with engineering details as required by later submittals.