McKinney Council Expands Downtown TIRZ, Names Rick Franklin Mayor Pro Tem

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

Decisions affecting downtown redevelopment, infrastructure planning and city leadership headlined Tuesday’s McKinney City Council meeting.

Council members approved an expansion of the city’s downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, authorized eminent domain proceedings tied to a utility relocation project and unanimously selected Councilmember Rick Franklin to serve as the city’s next Mayor Pro Tem.

Council Approves TIRZ Expansion

Future tax revenue and downtown redevelopment priorities were at the center of a discussion Tuesday as council members considered expanding Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 by approximately 15.7 acres associated with the proposed Presidio multifamily development.

Speaking on behalf of the property owners, Bob Roeder argued the site should be included because it is part of the city’s broader Town Center vision.

“From my perspective and my client’s perspective, this property is part of the Town Center study, and it should be included in the same venue, the same TIRZ that you have for the other elements in that Town Center study,” Roeder said.

“I think the critical decision here, from my perspective, is as this property develops, wouldn’t it make sense to capture that increment, that tax increment in the TIRZ,” he said.

Councilmember Patrick Cloutier cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the TIRZ already has several major commitments competing for resources.

“I always make the analogy of a pig in a python. A python can eat a pig, but it can’t eat too many,” Cloutier said. “Right now this TIRZ has City Hall that it’s eaten. It’s got venue, which is huge, and we’re fixing to have parking garages.”

The measure ultimately passed by a 6-1 vote.

SH 5 Project Advances Through Easement Action

Keeping the State Highway 5 project on schedule was the focus of another action Tuesday, as city leaders authorized the acquisition of easements needed for a sanitary sewer relocation.

The request stems from changes to the former Lower 5 Plaza concept, which required the city to relocate a planned sewer line to a different location.

Engineering Director Gary Graham said the city remains hopeful an agreement can be reached with the property owner but sought the authorization to avoid potential delays to the project schedule.

“We have had some very productive conversations with the property owner,” Graham said. “I think we are going to get there on an agreement with them.”

The resolution passed unanimously.

Franklin Selected as New McKinney Mayor Pro Tem

One of the evening’s more personal moments came when Councilwoman Geré Feltus announced she would step aside as Mayor Pro Tem after two years in the role.

“I’ve had the pleasure of serving as the Mayor Pro Tem for the last two years,” Feltus said. “I’ve got to serve under two great mayors, two different mayors, but two great mayors. And it’s been an absolute pleasure for me to do this.”

Feltus said family considerations played a role in the decision.

“At this point in my life, I have a rising senior who I need to be the Mayor Pro Tem to,” Feltus said. “So I would like to step down as Mayor Pro Tem and let one of these gentlemen — any one of these gentlemen are highly qualified and I think would serve you very well.”

Feltus said she would continue supporting the council and expressed confidence that other members were ready for the opportunity to serve in the role.

Her decision opened the door for Councilmember Rick Franklin, who was unanimously elected Mayor Pro Tem after being nominated by Councilmember Michael Jones.

Jones called Franklin “very deserving” of the role and said he would “represent Mayor Cox very well in his absence.”

After the vote, Franklin thanked Feltus for her service and described her as a “fantastic Mayor Pro Tem” who was “always there when you needed her.”

Other Business

Funding tied to the previously approved redevelopment agreement for The Parks Church property on South Tennessee Street cleared another step Tuesday, with council approving a related budget amendment by a 5-2 vote after the item was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion.