City officials are closing in on an agreement for a community farm on a portion of Gray Branch Parkland in McKinney.

McKinney City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 for a regular meeting. The agenda includes consideration of a license agreement with the Seed Project Foundation to open the farm on a patch of land purchased by the city in 2016.

The gist

If approved by council, the agreement would enable crop planting and renovation of an existing barn structure for crop planting and processing. The barn structure would also be renovated to include an office, kitchen learning center and an educational space.

The park property would be renovated in two phases.

• First phase: land preparation for planting and irrigating crops
• Second phase: building and parking lot improvements

Under the agreement, the Seed Project Foundation would have responsibility for all costs of renovation, operation and maintenance. The agreement would run for 10 years with an option to extend by five additional years.

In case you missed it

Council members gave the go-ahead to city staff to negotiate an agreement for the community farm in March. The action came after city officials discussed it during a work session held earlier that month.

The farm would be operated by McKinney Roots, a food donation farm that’s part of the Seed Project Foundation. McKinney Roots distributes fresh produce to local nonprofits and churches within Collin County, according to its website. The community farm would enable an expansion of its educational and community engagement opportunities.



Also on the agenda

Prior to the regular meeting, council members are meeting for a work session at 3 p.m. Oct. 6. The agenda includes discussion of potential changes to the city’s electioneering ordinance and a potential trap-neuter-release program for feral cats.

The agenda also includes a staff update on the Safe Streets McKinney initiative that aims to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. The update will include an analysis of crashes between 2020 and 2024, and proposed strategies to increase roadway safety.

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 Oct. 1. 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.