Airport Land Acquisition

At the Dec. 19 City Council meeting, the Council voted (5-1) to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with VTCR LP, Prairie Flight LP, and MADMT LP, collectively, for the purchase of approximately 190 acres of land located generally at the southeast side of McKinney National Airport. The land was purchased with cash for $22.3 million.

Before the purchase, the city owned 775 acres of land comprising the airport, and pursuant to the recommendations of an updated airport master plan, the city aims to add up to 500 acres in the coming years to protect the growth potential of the airport. View the Q&A.

McKinney National Airport Announces New Terminal and Hangar Project

The City of McKinney has entered into a public-private partnership with Western LLC for a $16 million construction project at the McKinney National Airport that will update and expand its facilities and include a new state-of-the-art fixed-base operator (FBO) terminal and 40,000-square-foot hangar. Construction is expected to begin this spring and will take approximately 12-18 months. Read the press release.

MCDC Public Hearing for McKinney Air Center Grant

MCDC conducted a public hearing for a project grant submitted by the McKinney Air Center for construction of a new fixed base operator terminal, expanded parking, upgraded U.S. Customs facility, and a 40,000 square foot common hangar. View the presentation.

McKinney National Airport Earns National Recognition 

McKinney Air Center, the fixed based operator (FBO) that provides fuel and other services to aircraft at McKinney National Airport, has been named best in the nation in the 2017 Pilots’ Choice Awards by FltPlan.com for the fourth year in a row. In addition, the Pete and Nancy Huff Air Traffic Control Tower at McKinney National Airport was named #3 in the 2017 Pilots’ Choice Awards. It was #1 in the nation in 2014 and #3 in 2015 and 2016.  Read the News Release.

Airport FAQs

Learn more about McKinney National Airport.

Master Plan Update

The McKinney National Airport is updating its master plan study to produce an efficient and environmentally conscious development plan to sustain healthy growth and service during the next 20 years. 

The update is prepared in concert with state and federal agencies, local officials, neighboring communities, adjacent land owners and airport users. The city will partner with the Texas Department of Transportation and Coffman Associates to conduct the study. Multiple public hearings will also be part of the master plan process to allow the community to provide input on the direction of the airport. The process is slated to be completed in spring 2018.

On December 11-12, a Technical Advisory Committee made up of airport tenants and users as well as a Planning Advisory Committee appointed by City Council provided strategic input during the master plan update process. Watch the meetings on this page under the Committee Meetings tab.

City Administration news will appear here.

Legislative Priorities Approved

Texas Legislature will decide many significant issues that directly and indirectly impact residents and businesses of McKinney, their local government, and their quality of life.

At the July 19 City Council meeting, the Council adopted the 2017 State Legislative Agenda to provide guidance to the representatives of the Texas State Legislature and advocates of the city in the legislative process.

View McKinney's Legislative Priorities

Costco
Costco is currently under construction on the northeast corner of U.S. 380 and Hardin Road and is planned to open in late 2018. Adjacent properties are also under construction and include Stein Mart (now open), Marshalls, Petco, Hobby Lobby, Cinemark, 24 Hour Fitness and numerous restaurants and retail pad sites

Downtown Parking Garage Update 

Construction of the parking garage on the corner of Chestnut Street and Herndon Street in downtown McKinney is underway. The garage is scheduled for completion in December 2018. City Council approved a lease agreement with a private developer for the construction of the garage, whereby the city will own the garage at the conclusion of the five-year lease period. Read more

Municipal Annexation Plan Updates

On January 17, 2017, McKinney City Council approved an update to the City's Municipal Annexation Plan, to include policy guidance on annexations within the McKinney ETJ and to outline anticipated future annexations pursuant to Chapter 43.052. View the new adopted ordinance for the 2017 Municipal Annexation Policy (which includes the Municipal Annexation plan).

The Municipal Annexation Plan page of the website was created to provide updates and information on the Annexation Plans for citizens in the city of McKinney and the extraterritorial jurisdiction. The page features updates on public meetings, information regarding the 2017 Municipal Annexation Policy and links to other annexation-related documents and studies.

Municipal Annexation Plan amendment

City Council is expected to consider and act on an amendment to the Municipal Annexation Plan at the Oct. 4 City Council meeting.

• At the July 25 work session, City Council discussed updates to the city’s Municipal Annexation Plan. City Council directed staff to begin the process of formally amending the 1999 Municipal Annexation Plan. This amendment would generally identify areas at the northeast corner of U.S. 380 and Custer Road as well as along the north side of U.S. 380 and east of FM 1827 (New Hope Road) on the Annexation Plan. View details
• At the Nov. 16 City Council meeting, Council discussed the orderly growth and annexation strategies for the City of McKinney. City Council gave staff direction to coordinate with the City Attorney’s Office to explore changes to the City’s current Annexation Plan and approach for growth. View details

Development Services Launches the "Where Can I Build That?" Online Tool

The Development Services Department launched a new interactive online mapping tool that provides quick access to information about allowed land uses and other zoning entitlements in McKinney. Residents, developers, and interested stakeholders can use this web application, dubbed the “Where Can I Build That?” tool, to get a snapshot of where specific land uses are allowed in McKinney based on a property’s current zoning district designation. 

This tool provides a more efficient process for identifying land use entitlements and should decrease the time needed to answer basic questions about where certain land uses are permitted in the city. 

View the tool

Downtown Parking Committee

At the June 7 City Council meeting, City Council passed a resolution supporting the Downtown Parking Committee’s recommendations on locations for potential structured parking garages and a potential municipal facilities complex. The recommendations include:

• Conduct a study to determine the location of a future City Hall, proposing property east of Highway 5 as an option
• Consider the northeast and southeast sectors of downtown for future structured parking
• Avoid areas west of Kentucky Street for parking structures 

At the April 19 City Council meeting, City Council passed a resolution supporting the committee’s recommendations for short term strategies for downtown parking.  

Subsequent meetings will be 5:30-6:30 in City Hall Council Chambers. See the city calendar for meeting dates. The meetings will be streamed live on McKinney Vision and available after the meeting.  View history and videos from previous meetings  View list of appointees 

Construction in McKinney 
The Building Inspections Department has created a list of New Construction and Addition Projects that are currently under review for permit or have recently received a permit. This list is updated on a regular basis.  View report

Southgate Update

At the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) board meeting in August 2017, the development team led by KDC presented an update on the progress at the development of the Gateway site located at the interchange of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and U.S. 75. KDC also announced the site will now officially be known as Southgate McKinney.

Site proposals show plans for free-standing office space, boutique office over retail space, multi-family residential dwellings, retail and dining options, along with a commons area with two acres of green space, water features, outdoor dining and a stage for performances. Watch the meeting | Read the FAQs.

Davis at the Square

The development formerly known as the nine-acre mixed-use development in downtown McKinney is now called Davis at the Square. 

Recent Business Updates

For updates on recent business announcements and expansions, Visit the MEDC website.

Craig Ranch Hotel

The City of McKinney approved a tax incentive plan in May for an upscale lifestyle hotel and conference center in Craig Ranch through a public-private partnership. The project will be located on an eight-acre site at the corner of Collin McKinney Pkwy. and Weiskopf Ave. within the 2,200-acre Craig Ranch master-planned development. Read more

McKinney earns AAA ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s

The city received a Aaa rating from Moody’s and AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s for its general obligation (GO) bonds. Moody’s said the rating reflects the city's large and rapidly expanding tax base, as well as conservative budgeting and long-term forecasting that has led to a stable financial performance and healthy reserve levels. Moody’s noted the city’s year-end liquidity and fund balances have consistently remained healthy.

In addition to the city’s ratings for its general obligation bonds, McKinney received a rating of AA+ with an improved outlook of stable from Standard & Poor’s and MAa2 from Moody’s for its water and wastewater utilities system.

Transparency Stars

The City of McKinney is the first city and government entity in the state to receive all five transparency stars from the Texas Comptroller’s program that recognizes local government entities that provide easy online access to important financial data. McKinney earned stars in the areas of Traditional Finances, Contracts and Procurement, Economic Development, Public Pensions and Debt Obligations.

Finance Department Earns National Recognition for Budget

The city has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. In order to earn the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, budget documents must receive a proficient rating in four nationally recognized guidelines and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories for effective budgets, which include a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and a communications device. Finance staff has earned this award for 33 consecutive years. View McKinney’s comprehensive budgets.

City of McKinney Maintains Low Outstanding Debt Per Capita
 Despite a large population and rapid growth, the City of McKinney has maintained a low rate of outstanding debt compared to other cities in Texas. According to a recent report by BOSC, Inc., McKinney is the 17th largest city in Texas with the seventh largest population increase, but ranks #262 in the state for General Obligation Bond Principal Outstanding Per Capita at $1,596.  More information

Grade “A” Transparency  

According to The Dallas Morning News, McKinney earned a grade of 98.1% for transparency. The staff at the newspaper spent a year doing exhaustive research on access to public information, and in the process, scored area cities and other public agencies on how well they adhere to open records laws. McKinney is in the top three of all public entities graded in the entire metroplex with scores of “A” on all four categories graded: best practices, request compliance, web customer service and online meeting notices.
 
Read the full report on the newspaper's website. 

City of McKinney vs. Custer Storage. What did the Court rule? 

Judge Mark Rusch in the 401st District Court ruled if property is subdivided or should have been subdivided, the property shall be platted under the city’s subdivision ordinance. In those cases where platting is required, the city has the exclusive right to require building code compliance and permits prior to construction; to the extent a plat is not required, authority over construction remains with the county. Because Custer Storage was not subdivided, platted or replatted, permitting authority lies with the county.

The Court also ruled the City-County 1445 Agreement, governing platting and permitting authority, is valid and enforceable, and the county ceded all platting, inspection and building code authority in the ETJ to the city (in 2002) as to all properties that are required to subdivide under the city’s subdivision ordinance.  However, a written judgment has not been issued by Judge Rusch.  Read the Q&A

North Texas Municipal Water District
Four member cities have filed a petition with the PUC to review the current rate structure contained in the member city agreement with NTMWD.  Read the FAQs

Low Income Transit Subsidy Pilot Program

The City of McKinney, the McKinney Urban Transit District (MUTD), and the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) have launched the Low Income Transit Subsidy Pilot Program (LITSP). The LITSP is a supplement to the existing Collin County Transit services. This pilot program helps provide low-income families and individuals with mobility solutions within Collin County. LITSP will launch Monday, April 2, 2018, and end Sunday, March 31, 2019 (based on the availability of funds) and will allow for 100 participants. Read more