The setup
McKinney City Council members will discuss the proposed amendment during an Aug. 19 work session. The amendment could outlaw sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk, street or alleyway in the downtown area. Other ordinance amendments being proposed include:
- An amendment that clarifies camping is prohibited in any publicly accessible outdoor areas that are not designated as camping areas.
- An amendment that outlaws panhandling in an “aggressive” manner such as using violent or threatening gestures, or intentionally blocking passage of pedestrians or vehicles.
During the second stakeholder meeting in August, the city launched a digital survey to gather feedback on the proposed amendments. The survey results are attached to the work session agenda.
Also of note
After the work session, council members are holding a joint meeting with the McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission that starts at 4:30 p.m. At that meeting, city officials will review three bills that passed through the Texas Legislature this summer and are slated to take effect later this year.
- Senate Bill 840: Requires certain municipalities to allow mixed-use residential and multifamily uses in areas zoned for commercial or warehouse use.
- The bill also limits a city’s ability to regulate density, building height, setbacks and parking requirements where the use is permitted.
- Effective Sept. 1
- Senate Bill 15: Restricts certain municipalities' ability to regulate lot and development standards or certain single-family lots.
- For instance, on tracts of land that are five acres or more, the municipality cannot require a lot size greater than 3,000 square feet, 30 feet wide or 75 feet deep.
- Effective Sept. 1
- House Bill 24: Increases the minimum threshold for a zoning protest petition for zoning requests that increase the number of dwelling units on a site.
- Currently, if property owners within 200 feet of a zoning request wish to file a formal protest petition, property owners representing at least 20% of the surrounding area must sign the petition to be valid. HB 24 increases that threshold to 60%.
- Effective Sept. 1
McKinney City Council is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. for the work session, at 4:30 p.m. for the joint meeting and at 6 p.m. for a regular meeting on Aug. 19. All meetings will take place within the city council chambers at McKinney City Hall, located at 401 E. Virginia St.
The meetings will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. For more information about McKinney City Council meetings, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/1168/council-meetings.
