By RJ Morales | TX3DNews
PRINCETON, Texas — Growth pressures, zoning rights, drainage disputes, and allegations of city “deceit” over wastewater billing dominated Princeton’s August 11 City Council meeting.
Residents challenged developers, questioned city priorities, and pushed back on decisions they said put profit ahead of property rights. The night also saw a dispute over whether a local family was offered $50,000 for an easement, a developer defending drainage plans for the Princeton Town Center, and the council approving a pet shop permit tied to that project on a 5–2 vote.
“Urban Crush” and Zoning Rights
Resident Ken Slagman said Princeton is experiencing what he called “urban crush” — worse than the “urban creep” seen elsewhere — and urged the city to join other municipalities in a class-action lawsuit against the state over recent laws limiting local zoning control. Slagman credited the city with past efforts to slow multifamily development but warned it would take years to catch up even if none were approved going forward. He tied increased traffic and police “hot zones” to new starter homes and multifamily units, arguing that developers’ right to profit “is not above our right to have a safe city.” He also renewed his push for winter quarter averaging on wastewater billing — something he said the city promised in 2022–2023 — telling the council, “Stop charging us for water that goes down the storm drain.”
Kevin Hiss, speaking as a resident, supported Slagman’s lawsuit idea. He cited Princeton’s nearly 100 years of zoning authority and said already-approved housing could increase the population by 50%. “They’re taking away our rights to decide what our city’s gonna look like generations from now,” he said.
Drainage Dispute Over Princeton Town Center
A Specific Use Permit (SUP) for a pet shop on a 66-acre tract at West Princeton Drive drew extended debate — not over the pet shop itself, but over drainage tied to the larger Princeton Town Center development.
Theresa Lane and Ronald told the council they’ve lived on a 5-acre property on Greenfield Acres for 42 years and fear flooding from runoff into their pond, which they say already surges “like a rapid” after heavy rains. They said developers asked for an easement but offered only driveway repairs in exchange — not the $50,000 the developer later claimed in the meeting — and that they refused to give away land without fair payment. Lane said flatly, “We have not been offered fifty thousand dollars… I want to see the records.” Ronald also raised concerns about “eminent domain” language in the development agreement and asked that it be removed, saying his family’s land should not be taken without choice.
Hiss, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Commission but said he was speaking as a resident, alleged the drainage plan had changed after P&Z voted, with water now being directed into a FEMA flood zone on the neighbors’ property. He said city engineers had told him an easement was required and warned the city could face legal complications if it approved an SUP before those issues were resolved.
The developer disputed several of Hiss’s points, saying wetlands studies show no encroachment on the floodplain, that the drainage plan meets state law by not increasing flow onto neighboring property, and that the new design includes a larger detention pond. He said $50,000 plus driveway repairs were offered through a representative and remain on the table.
After discussion, the council approved the SUP 5–2, allowing one pet shop on the 66-acre tract.
Ordinance, Rate Studies, and Event Fees
Theresa McGinnis criticized Ordinance 2024-09-16-02, calling it “deceitful” and claiming it was passed to avoid implementing winter quarter averaging. She pointed to nearly $97,000 paid to New Gen for water rate studies between 2022–2024, questioned the value received, and suggested hiring a different company. She also questioned the practice of waiving permit fees for new schools, saying those costs are built into contractor bids and waivers benefit the builder, not the school.
Slagman backed her on the wastewater issue.
Michael Jeter, promoter of the upcoming Rhythm and Joy Experience on Sept. 20, objected to $33,000 in fees, including $8,500 for park usage, saying he has no sponsors, has given away 2,000 tickets, and is “not asking for anything for free, but this is outrageous.” He also described trouble securing trash cans, fencing, and generators due to city vendor rules.
Other Public Comments
Bruce Marvin said the city lacks a year-round way to dispose of hazardous household waste and urged a permanent drop-off location instead of the once-a-year “Green Day” collection.
Maxine Ellis raised concerns about the condition of the fishing pond at J.J. Book Park, park development fees from new housing, and use of PID and bond funds.
Community Recognition
The council honored Judge Dana Huffman with the Nancy Garms Memorial Award and “Judge of the Year” title from the Texas Municipal Courts Association for her law-focused education outreach. Huffman described a recent mock trial with fifth- and sixth-graders and said she hopes to bring similar programs into Princeton ISD schools.
City Business
The council approved the 2025 certified appraisal roll, showing a $4.7 billion taxable value — up 19.7% from 2024 — and kept the property tax rate at $0.440226 per $100 valuation for the second consecutive year. They approved a final plat for a multifamily development in Whitewing Trails exempt from the city’s residential moratorium, passed other routine financial measures, and set September 8, 2025, for the public hearing on the tax rate and budget.
Next Meeting
The next Princeton City Council meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2025.