McKinney City Council members are meeting Sept. 16 for a work session and regular meeting. The regular meeting’s agenda includes the three ordinance amendments which are being considered nearly a month after they were presented for discussion.
The overview
One ordinance amendment would outlaw sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk, street or pedestrian right of way within the downtown area. A person would only be allowed to sit on a chair, bench or architectural feature supplied by a public agency or private property owner.
The amendment would include exceptions for medical emergencies, ADA compliance and common public activities.
A second ordinance amendment would clarify that camping is prohibited in any publicly accessible outdoor area unless designated otherwise. Erwin Park, located in North McKinney, is currently the only city park that has designated camping areas, according to the city’s website.
The ordinance would apply citywide and also expands the definition of camping to include staying or sleeping in a vehicle overnight.
A third ordinance amendment would outlaw “aggressive panhandling” across the city. If approved, the ordinance would prohibit panhandling or soliciting in an aggressive manner such as using violent or threatening gestures, or intentionally blocking the path of pedestrians or vehicles.
Also on the agenda
Council members will also consider a series of amendments to the city’s Unified Development Code. The amendments are being proposed by city staff in order to align with recent changes to state law that limit the city’s ability to regulate multifamily development and single-family lot sizes.
Among the proposed changes are new requirements for parking, building height and setback distance. McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of the amendments during a Sept. 9 meeting.
One more thing
City staff are presenting an update on the Lower 5 Plaza project during the afternoon work session. It’s the first time council members are scheduled to discuss the project since it lost $15 million in federal funding.
The Lower 5 Plaza project, which would be located between East Virginia Street and Louisiana Street, plans for a bridge at ground level and a park that extends under SH 5.
Get involved
McKinney City Council is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. for the work session and at 6 p.m. for the regular meeting on Sept. 16. Both 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.
