Princeton Fills EDC, CDC, Library And Planning Seats, Flags Missing Board Applications, Residents Press Leaders On Growth And Transparency

City Council

Monday night’s special meeting was mostly about who sits on the city’s boards that shape growth, business recruiting, zoning, and library planning. Residents also used public comments to press council on trust, unity, and whether Princeton is keeping up as it grows fast.

Residents Push For Slower, Clearer Contract Votes
One resident thanked council for pulling a contract off the “routine” consent list last meeting, but said approving it right away still felt rushed. He asked for a simple rule: if an item gets pulled, wait until the next meeting so everyone can read it and ask real questions before big dollars get approved.

Public Asks Council To Show Up And Help Unite The City
A speaker invited council to join a VFW Day of Service on May 2 and said face to face time matters more than Facebook fights. Another resident echoed the message, encouraging council to take part in local events so residents and leaders actually know each other outside the chamber.

Fast Growth, But Residents Want More Jobs And Big Projects
A resident said Princeton may be growing in people, but not in major employers, new retail, or “headline” economic wins like nearby cities. She asked who is pitching Princeton to big companies moving into Collin County, and warned the city cannot stay a bedroom community forever.

Axiom Healthcare Plat Approved After Drainage Map Questions
Council approved a request tied to Axiom Healthcare for a 2.099 acre property plat. One member questioned whether an “existing” stormwater pipe shown in the report actually appears on the city’s maps. Staff confirmed the underground drainage exists and said the city has not kept GIS maps fully updated.

Zoning Board Of Adjustment Stays In Place, For Now
Council took no action on ZBA appointments because no one applied. Current members will stay in “holdover” status until replacements are found. Council also asked whether the board can still meet and hit quorum, and staff said alternates can help if a case needs to be heard.

CDC Board Adds Two Members, Keeps Two Seats
Council reappointed Mary Lou Pettis and Kareem Evans to the Community Development Corporation, then added Kenisha Henderson and Allison Guerrero to open seats. Henderson told council she owns a local wellness business and wants to support residents through the city’s growing pains.

EDC Board Shifts Seats With A Split Vote
Council appointed Deshauna Walker to EDC Place 3, then voted 5-1 to reappoint Mike Thompson and Albert Lott and fill another seat with Alan Ruskina. Lott said he wants to keep pushing ideas that help land deals and bring in more major businesses and stores.

Library Board Votes Plus Another Application Glitch
Council appointed Dorinda Powell to a library board seat, then later reappointed Ann Anderson, Janice Reed Rucker, and Gladys Marcos. One volunteer said he applied but was not showing in the system, and council raised concerns because this keeps happening with board applications.

Planning And Zoning Gets New Faces And A New Liaison
Council reappointed Tom Hessler and appointed Janice Goria to Planning and Zoning, then reappointed Ryan Shifflett and Crystal Galston to other seats with a 5-1 vote. Council also named Christina Todd as the council liaison to Planning and Zoning to help track issues back to council.

Future Agenda Requests Focus On Alternates And Board Liaisons
Council asked for a work session to discuss adding alternates to boards where rules allow it. Members also requested a follow up on a ZBA case tied to a fee waiver, and said board liaisons should be reset every January, which still has not happened even though it is now March.

What Happens Next
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m., with Planning and Zoning meeting March 16 and EDC meeting March 17. Expect a future work session on alternates, a status check on the ZBA case, and an agenda item to update the rest of the board liaison assignments.

Parks and Recreation

This Parks and Recreation board meeting was mostly about where Princeton’s big parks bond money is going, what’s getting built first, and how the city wants trails to stay safe and clean as neighborhoods keep growing.

New Council Liaison Joins The Board
Councilmember Ben Long introduced himself as the board’s liaison. He said his job is to help communication with City Council and share the city’s big-picture goals, without taking away the board’s independence.

$108.1M Parks Bond Gets A Reality Check
Staff reviewed the voter-approved $108.1M parks bond and explained why totals look confusing. Many figures shown are “hard costs” like construction, while “soft costs” like design and engineering can add around 10% on major projects.

Colwell Park Upgrades Aim To Cut Rainouts
Colwell work is split into phases. Phase 1 converted infields to artificial turf to reduce cancellations after rain. Phase 2 is under construction with three multi-use turf fields. Phase 3 is in design with a playground redo and other upgrades.

JJ Book Wilson Park Targeting A Holiday Finish
Staff said JJ Book Wilson Memorial Park is underway and hoped it could open around Christmas this year. The park includes a skate park, courts, open lawn, restrooms, lighting, and play areas, with two contractors coordinating work.

Rec Center Plan Scaled Back To $60M
The city’s large rec center and aquatic facility is still being designed, but council cut the budget down from about $80M to $60M. Staff said design work should wrap by the end of summer, and construction could take about two years.

Splash Pad Not Locked In Yet
A splash pad was once tied to JJ Book, but council shifted that idea toward outdoor aquatics at the planned PARC facility instead. Staff said future parks like GTLC are still flexible enough to add splash features during design, if the board wants it.

JJ Book Park Will Be Clearly A City Park
With DR Horton homes surrounding parts of the site, board members wanted the public to know it is not a developer-only amenity. Staff said there will be a monument sign, flag poles, and branding at the front, plus fencing and walls in some areas.

Fishing Pond Update Comes Down To Construction Timing
Staff said the JJ Book pond will be stocked, but not until the surrounding development work is finished. Because stormwater work could require draining the pond again, they do not want to add fish only to remove them soon after.

Trail Connections Focus On Simple, Safe Crossings
Staff said the two JJ Book park areas will connect mainly through the sidewalk along Beecham, plus a controlled intersection and crosswalk at Brookside Drive. The goal is safer walking connections without overpromising new trail builds yet.

HOA Trails Are HOA Responsibility, City Can Enforce
Staff said HOA trails are maintained by HOAs under city rules, though the city can step in through code compliance when areas are neglected. Board members described letters with deadlines, and staff confirmed enforcement can escalate if issues are not fixed.

City Trail Map Exists, But It’s Not “Easy Mode” Yet
The board reviewed the city’s GIS map that shows trails, but it does not label which ones are HOA-maintained versus city-maintained. Members pushed for a simpler PDF-style trails map, while staff said a single pamphlet may be too large citywide.

Emergency Trail Markers Are Expanding
Staff showed emergency location markers placed along trails with QR codes and location IDs so 911 responders can find people faster. The long-term plan is to expand markers across more trail systems as Princeton grows.

Soul Patrol Event Is Under Review
Staff said they sent the city’s third-party event guidelines and application to Soul Patrol organizers. The application is under internal review across departments, and staff said future updates may come by memo instead of detailed public discussion.

Meeting Calendar Changes Approved
The board confirmed it meets the first Tuesday monthly, but voted to skip a December meeting. They also approved moving the September meeting to Wednesday to avoid a conflict with Planning and Zoning.

New Agenda Items Coming Next Month
Board members requested follow-ups on a microchip scanning station idea for lost dogs, the August 2025 parks survey results, an update on an Army Corps partnership, and a report on why the parks and trails master plan website link disappeared.

What Happens Next
Staff will return with clearer updates on bond project timelines, including JJ Book progress reports every couple months. The board will also get follow-ups on the parks survey, the trails master plan status, and how trail maintenance enforcement works in practice. The next Parks and Recreation board meeting is Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

We’re building something real across Collin County and you can be part of it.

Refer 5 new subscribers to Texas Local Weekly and we’ll feature your business in a full Business Spotlight for free.

Community

Several community discussions this week focused on everyday questions residents face as Princeton continues to grow. Online conversations included where people can legally fish, what families think about Princeton High School academics, and an update from a city council member about a forensic audit connected to the Deffibaugh Community Center renovation.

Fishing Access And License Questions

A resident asking where to take their son fishing started a discussion about local fishing spots and licensing rules. Several commenters said anglers age 17 and older generally need a fishing license and suggested buying one at Walmart to avoid fines. Others shared locations where people commonly fish, including a creek access point near FM 1377 and stocked ponds in nearby Allen parks. Residents also reminded visitors to remove trash and follow state fishing regulations.

Parents Share Experiences With Princeton High School

A parent preparing to move to Princeton asked residents about academics at Princeton High School and support for students with IEP plans. Responses varied widely. Some parents said their children are thriving, including students earning dual credit toward an associate degree. Others shared concerns about academics compared with nearby districts. Several residents said student outcomes often depend on parental involvement and staying connected with teachers and counselors.

Audit Update Released On Deffibaugh Community Center

Council member Terrance Johnson shared an update about a forensic audit examining the purchase and renovation of the Steve and Judy Deffibaugh Community Center. The audit, conducted by Weaver & Tidwell, was presented at the February 18 CDC meeting. According to the findings, financial records balanced and auditors found no evidence of missing funds or kickback arrangements. Some documentation gaps were noted, but Johnson said the review was intended to clarify concerns and provide transparency to residents.

🌾 Farmersville Market
📅 March 7 | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Historic Onion Shed
154 S Main St, Farmersville, TX 75442

A classic small-town Saturday morning setup. Local vendors, fresh finds and Main Street charm all under the Historic Onion Shed. It is the kind of stop where you run into neighbors and leave with something you did not plan on buying but are glad you did.

💜 Fundraiser Event for Blake
📅 March 14 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Lakehaven Community, 3700 Richland Drive, Farmersville, TX 75442

A community fundraiser supporting the Tedesco family and their daughter Blake’s medical needs. Expect food trucks, a bounce house, face painting and a community picnic while neighbors come together to help Blake fight Mowat-Wilson Syndrome.