Plano City Council at a regular Nov. 14 meeting approved several resolutions, including:
- The approval of a resolution in support of Homeless Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 12-18. The Collin County Homeless Coalition is set to host a summit Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Collin College Central Campus, 2200 W. University Drive, McKinney. The summit will discuss the state of current homeless assistance resources in Collin County and seeks to educate individuals on a new coordinated system in development, which is intended to further assist those who experience homelessness find a solution and care. The summit includes a light lunch and keynote address from Plano City Council Memeber Richard Grady.
- Adoption of a resolution to support a $10 billion, high-speed rail project that will run from Houston to Dallas. The project, by private developer Texas Central, will mark the first bullet train in the U.S., operating at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour and providing a 90-minute commute between cities. Proponents say the rail line will help to alleviate congestion along I-45. Construction for the train is expected to begin in 2018 with passenger service to begin in 2023, according to Texas Central. Central Japan Railway, which has used high-speed rail for 50 years, will provide the technology for the train and help with its upkeep.
- Approval of a resolution combining the city’s 2015-19 Consolidated Plan with its Downtown Plano Vision and Strategy Plan. The new Concerted Revitalization Plan will allow the city to designate—through a single application—applicants applying for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Housing Tax Credit, which grants competitive 9 percent housing tax credits to build affordable housing. The process allows municipalities to designate one application that developers can use when applying for the credit, which meets the concerted plan’s guidelines. Developers who are approved for the credit benefit by offsetting their federal tax liability. The council will also vote on a related resolution to amend the city’s low-income housing tax credit resolution process for review of these applications.
