🗞️ INSIDE CITY HALL: ZONING DRAMA, SAFETY DEBATES & WHAT COMES NEXT

The Princeton City Council kicked off the new year Monday night with a long, packed agenda and heavy public turnout. From public safety concerns and utility billing questions to major zoning decisions and school-related policy changes, this meeting set the tone for what residents can expect in 2026.

🫀 PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS SPARK AED DISCUSSION
A community member urged the city to make automated external defibrillators more visible and accessible inside City Hall and across public spaces. Examples from other cities were cited, including parks equipped with AEDs that automatically alert emergency services when used. While no vote was taken, the issue was clearly placed back on the city’s radar, with an emphasis on visibility, cost, and potential grant funding.

💧 SEWER BILLING & IRRIGATION COSTS RAISE FAIRNESS QUESTIONS
Residents raised concerns about sewer charges being calculated from irrigation water use, particularly in areas where water does not enter the sewer system. One example included an HOA paying thousands annually despite minimal actual sewer use. City staff acknowledged the concern and noted follow-up discussions were needed, especially around dedicated irrigation meters and possible billing adjustments.

📚 LIBRARY ACCESS, ADVISORY BOARDS & ELIGIBILITY RULES
Multiple speakers addressed library-related issues, including advisory board eligibility and the need for expanded library facilities. It was noted that some advisory boards restrict membership to city residents, which limits participation from frequent library users outside city limits. Council later chose to table Library Advisory Board appointments to revisit eligibility and fairness before making decisions.

📶 CELL SERVICE, ROAD UPDATES & CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP
Residents requested renewed updates on cell tower placement and coverage due to ongoing connectivity issues. Others asked for more frequent updates from TxDOT and Collin County on road projects like US 380. A separate request suggested extending Christmas tree pickup past January 1, noting many trees were still curbside after the deadline.

🏢 ZONING CASE NEAR MONTE CARLO & LONG NECK ROAD WITHDRAWN
A proposed zoning change for a one-acre tract near Monte Carlo Boulevard and Long Neck Road, intended for a small insurance office, drew significant opposition from nearby property owners. Concerns included floodplain risks, traffic planning, and application validity due to notarization issues. After extended discussion, the applicant voluntarily withdrew the request, meaning the process would need to restart if they choose to reapply.

🏭 BUSINESS PARK ZONING CHANGE APPROVED 6–0
Council unanimously approved a zoning amendment for approximately 53 acres near South Beauchamp Boulevard and Myrick Lane, transitioning land from manufacturing to a professional services-focused development. The change adds architectural, landscaping, and design standards to better align with surrounding residential neighborhoods.

🏫 SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT RULES UPDATED TO SPEED CONSTRUCTION
Council approved changes to zoning rules affecting public schools, allowing greater flexibility for marching band practice areas, rooftop equipment placement, building height, and lot coverage. The goal is to reduce repeated variance requests and help schools keep pace with Princeton’s rapid growth, while still maintaining oversight on aesthetics and neighborhood compatibility.

🏘️ FINAL PLAT APPROVAL & DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FIXES
A final plat for property near Monte Carlo and US 75 was approved, with city staff explaining changes to development procedures. The city is now enforcing a stricter sequence for plats, infrastructure, and permits after past cases allowed construction before final approvals, causing confusion for residents and council alike.

💰 WINTER SEWER BILLING METHOD REINSTATED
Council approved reinstating winter quarter averaging for residential wastewater billing, a method that bases sewer charges on lower winter water usage. The change applies only to residential customers within city limits and excludes commercial properties and on-site sewage systems.

🗂️ MULTIPLE BOARD APPOINTMENTS TABLED
Appointments and reappointments for several boards, including Planning and Zoning, Economic Development, Community Development, and the Library Advisory Board, were tabled. Council members emphasized the importance of allowing current and prospective members time to formally apply to ensure a fair and transparent process.

🏆 CITY RECOGNIZED AS A TOP WORKPLACE
The City of Princeton was recognized as a 2025 Top Workplace in the Dallas–Fort Worth area by The Dallas Morning News, based on employee feedback. While not ranked in the top 150, the city was acknowledged as a national standard winner and plans to apply again next year.

📍 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS FLAGGED
Council requested future updates on unfinished utility work along North 6th Street and long-standing lighting issues near Cypress Bend, citing safety concerns for residents and children crossing the area.

This work session focused on planning, not voting. Council reviewed how Princeton’s largest community events are evolving, weighed long-term road safety goals tied to future funding, examined city employee feedback, and received updates on major water and wastewater planning that will shape development costs for years to come.

🏞️ PARKS & REC EVENTS GET A FULL RESET LOOK
Parks and Recreation staff walked council through the city’s five major annual events: Fish and Frenzy at the Municipal Pond, Freedom and Fireworks at Caldwell Park, Parks and Rec Month in July, Pumpkin Beluza, and North Pole Christmas.

Fish and Frenzy remains an early-season event focused on kids and families, with Texas Parks and Wildlife and Zebco providing education and free fishing poles. Freedom and Fireworks continues to be one of the city’s largest gatherings, drawing an estimated 6,500 attendees last year at Caldwell Park, with fireworks, drone shows, rides, and activities spread across the park. For the upcoming anniversary year, staff plans a themed drone show tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

July Parks and Rec Month includes more than 25 smaller activities across the city, coordinated with departments like the library, fire, and police. Families participate using bingo-style cards, with prizes for partial or full completion. Council members noted unexpectedly strong attendance even on weekday mornings, suggesting demand for family-friendly daytime programming.

Pumpkin Beluza, created in partnership with Princeton ISD after schools could no longer host trunk-or-treats, has grown into the city’s largest event by attendance, surpassing Freedom and Fireworks. It is now a major fall gathering for families across Princeton.

🎄 NORTH POLE CHRISTMAS MAY NOT STAY ONE BIG EVENT
The most debated topic of the night was the future of North Pole Christmas, held the first Saturday in December and drawing about 4,000 attendees. Staff outlined ongoing challenges, especially weather-related cancellations and the high upfront cost of vendors with no backup dates.

One proposal would break the event into several smaller activities throughout December, potentially including indoor options, to reduce risk and give families multiple chances to attend. Council members were split. Some supported spreading events out to better serve families with young kids and avoid freezing temperatures. Others emphasized the emotional and community value of one large holiday event and raised concerns about staffing, safety, and logistics across multiple dates.

Ideas discussed included reviving a Christmas parade, possibly in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, or combining a parade with a tree-lighting event. No decision was made. Council agreed the Parks and Recreation Board should review options and return with recommendations before any changes move forward.

🚦 VISION ZERO ENTERS THE CONVERSATION
Council received an overview of the city’s Mobility and Safety Action Plan, which analyzes crash data from 2020 through 2024 to identify high-risk roads and intersections. As part of that plan, staff presented Vision Zero, a long-term strategy aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by the year 2060.

Staff stressed that adopting a Vision Zero proclamation would not force federal rules or enforcement changes. Instead, it would position Princeton to apply for future safety grants tied to infrastructure improvements like intersections, signals, and roadway design.

Council members pressed hard on potential downsides, including administrative costs, matching fund requirements, and concerns about federal involvement in local roads. Staff clarified that pursuing grants would remain optional and that Princeton would only apply for funding that aligns with local priorities. The general takeaway was that having the framework in place could help later, without committing the city to immediate spending or changes.

👥 CITY EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK SURFACES STRENGTHS AND CRACKS
Council reviewed results from two employee surveys conducted in 2025, including a Gallup engagement survey and an Intergage workplace survey.

The Gallup survey showed 50 percent of employees are engaged, a slight drop from last year, while actively disengaged employees increased to 11 percent. Strengths included commitment to quality and employees feeling they can do their best work. Weak spots included access to materials and equipment and the need for stronger supervisor support.

Intergage results highlighted meaningful work, confidence in leadership, and appreciation as positives. Areas needing attention included growth opportunities, meeting efficiency, communication around decisions, and concerns reflected in feedback such as favoritism and lack of support.

Staff outlined next steps focused on more purposeful meetings, better training and access to resources, cross-training opportunities, and stronger accountability from leadership. Council expressed support for continuing the surveys and addressing issues as the city workforce grows.

🚰 WATER, WASTEWATER & IMPACT FEES MOVE INTO A CRITICAL PHASE
Consultants updated council on the ongoing water and wastewater master plans, which are being revised to reflect Princeton’s rapid growth. Work completed includes flow monitoring at 17 sewer locations, hydrant testing, and updated system modeling.

Draft capital improvement plans are expected to reach staff by the end of the month, with council review targeted later in the first quarter. Once finalized, the city will move into updating water and wastewater impact fees, which developers pay to support infrastructure expansion.

The earliest target for adopting updated impact fees is August 2026, though council members warned that new state requirements, including forming a Capital Improvements Advisory Committee and creating new credit policies for water conservation and reuse, could slow the timeline. Council emphasized the importance of setting those policies sooner rather than later to avoid uncertainty during development negotiations.

🗂️ MULTIPLE AGENDA ITEMS HEADED FOR DELAYS
During agenda review, council signaled that several items in the upcoming regular meeting are likely to be tabled. This includes a zoning-related request tied to Ironwood Apartments, as developers asked for more time to present proposed changes to the public.

Council also indicated board and commission appointments may be delayed so members can better review the backgrounds of both current and new applicants before making selections.

📅 WHAT’S NEXT
No formal votes were taken during this work session, but several issues are clearly headed for future decisions. Residents can expect North Pole Christmas options, Vision Zero adoption, impact fee timelines, and board appointments to return to the agenda in the coming months as staff and advisory boards bring back recommendations.