McKinney Council Approves 7-Eleven, MISD Rezoning and North APEX Plans

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

McKINNEY — After weeks of unusually contentious meetings and political fights spilling into City Hall, Tuesday night’s McKinney City Council meeting looked a lot more like normal city business.

Council members worked through zoning cases, a school district facility project, parkland fees and plans for a new recreation center. There were disagreements and pointed public comments, but much of the Sept. 15 meeting focused on the development and infrastructure decisions that typically fill a council agenda.

Here are the highlights.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day recognized

The meeting began with proclamations, including one recognizing Saturday, Sept. 19, as Puppy Mill Awareness Day in McKinney.

The recognition comes ahead of a rally planned Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at 3190 S. Central Expressway in McKinney. Organizers with the Lone Star Humane Association describe it as a peaceful event aimed at educating the public about commercial puppy mills and encouraging adoption or responsible breeding.

The city also recognized Good Neighbor Day.

North McKinney recreation center moves forward

Council members pulled a contract related to the planned North APEX recreation center from the consent agenda for discussion.

The agreement with Parkhill continues work that began with master planning for the site and moves the project into architectural and engineering services.

Facilities Construction Manager Patricia Jackson said the city has the design and engineering contract “ready to go” to meet its deadline with McKinney ISD, including plans for “10 lanes of swimming” at the site.

Council approved the agreement.

7-Eleven approved near Bloomdale and Hardin

Council voted 7-0 to approve a specific use permit for a new 7-Eleven near Bloomdale Road and Hardin Boulevard.

The permit was required because of the proposed fuel pumps’ proximity to residential zoning.

Applicant Brad White described the proposed 4,800-square-foot store as “a new prototype” with a “much more enhanced facade,” saying 7-Eleven intends for the newer stores to look nicer and benefit the community.

A second proposed 7-Eleven near Wilmeth Road and Taylor-Burk Drive did not move forward.

“As of this morning, they have withdrawn the application for the specific use permit,” Planning Director Lucas Raley told council.

Council voted to table the item indefinitely.

MISD plans to consolidate operations

McKinney ISD received unanimous approval to rezone property near Redbud Boulevard and West White Avenue from office to government complex zoning.

MISD Chief Operations Officer Greg Suttle said the district wants to “consolidate our maintenance administrative offices, our custodial administrative offices, and our warehouse onto this site” because of its central location.

The district currently operates those functions from multiple locations. Suttle said about 35 employees would come in and out of the new facility.

Light-industrial project approved

Council also approved rezoning approximately six acres near Old Mill Road from agricultural to light industrial use.

Planning Director Lucas Raley said the property was a “strong fit with the comprehensive plan.”

Council members questioned how the industrial development would transition to nearby property, including a residence immediately east of the site, and discussed development around the future Spur 399 corridor.

The rezoning passed 5-1.

Downtown parkland fee calculation changes

Council unanimously approved a change to the city’s parkland dedication requirements for residential development within the Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

Parks Planning and Development Manager Jenny Baker said the city has encountered “disproportionately high land values compared to other parts of the city” around downtown. The change creates a $300,000-per-acre cap on the land value used to calculate parkland dedication fees.

The cap applies to single-family and multifamily residential developments in the zone, including projects that have already submitted a site plan or plat. Park development fees still apply.

Politics still surfaces in public comments

A resident who identified herself as Emily urged residents to research the petitioners and political action committees involved in the recall, saying the movement “does not appear to have altruistic motives.”

She also questioned disclosure rules for paid political promotion on social media. Emily compared it with paid product promotions, where she said influencers must disclose compensation, and argued that people should know when influencers are being paid to promote political causes. She called for state and federal lawmakers to address the issue.

Dan Chandler, who said he had “been involved with the recall,” acknowledged he did not know which council members were facing recall before making several claims about Muslims and mosques without providing evidence. His comments reflected his own views and were not presented as those of recall organizers.

District 3 resident Jacob Lucci also hinted at a possible run for office. His wife, Lauren Lynn, followed and told council that he is considering running for mayor or City Council.

Back to city business

After weeks of controversy surrounding City Hall, most of the Sept. 15 meeting focused instead on routine city business.