1. McKinney’s Apex Centre to see membership rates increase in June
McKinney City Council members unanimously approved increases to membership rates for both residents and nonresidents as part of the consent agenda at a March 19 meeting. The Apex Centre is a city-owned, 80,000-square-foot recreation center that opened in 2017, according to the city’s website. The increased rates will be effective June 1, according to city documents. Membership rates for McKinney residents will increase by about 15% for all membership types.
2. McKinney officials name Amy Kinkade parks and recreation director
Amy Kinkade, McKinney’s new parks and recreation director, began her role with the city on March 11, according to a news release. Kinkade brings more than 25 years of municipal government experience to the role. The announcement comes following the appointment of previous Parks and Recreation Director Michael Kowski as the president and CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corp. in August.
3. Tivona Event Center moves forward amid concerns from McKinney residents
The development of Tivona Event Center, an event center project in McKinney, is moving forward. McKinney City Council members unanimously approved a site plan for the project at an April 2 meeting. Comments from community members at the meeting included concerns about the size of the buildings, the event center use, the impact to nearby property values, and the potential for increased traffic and noise, among others.
4. McKinney adds 74 acres to city limits for townhome, multifamily development
McKinney City Council members approved a request to annex a site in north McKinney into the city’s limits and rezone the property at an April 2 council meeting. A residential development including both multifamily and townhomes is planned for the site. The rezoning request approved by council members would allow for the development of up to 140 townhomes and 600 multifamily units, according to city documents.
5. McKinney Fire Department earns Class 1 ranking for fire protection efforts
The McKinney Fire Department maintained its ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification, which has a bearing on property insurance costs for local residents and businesses, according to an April 4 news release from the department. An ISO rating is a score from 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest rating and indication that the community has "superior property fire protection," according to the Texas Department of Insurance's website. The department’s ISO rating is evaluated every five years. The department also received ISO Class 1 status in 2014, the release stated.
