Flood Fears Slam The Brakes On Long Neck Rezoning As $11.5M EDC War Chest Fuels Princeton’s Next Growth Push

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Planning and Zoning

Princeton Planning and Zoning hit pause on a rezoning request at 1503 Long Neck Road after flooding, traffic, and road widening concerns took over the meeting. Instead of sending it to council, commissioners voted to hold it until more proof comes back.

One-Acre Long Neck Rezoning Gets Put On Ice

The request would change about one acre at 1503 Long Neck Road from single-family estate zoning to PD-46 commercial zoning. Staff said the corner fits the city’s long-term commercial vision, but commissioners were not ready to move it forward without more backup.

Flooding Turns Into The Biggest Red Flag

Much of the debate centered on flood risk near the property. Staff said studies would come later in the process, but commissioners and neighbors pushed back, saying flooding is already a serious concern in the area.

Commissioners Refuse To Guess On Traffic And Drainage

Several commissioners made clear they did not want to recommend a zoning change based only on a concept plan. They said they still need a traffic study, flood study, and topography before making a smart decision. That is a big signal for residents because it shows the commission does not want council making a major land-use call half-blind.

State Farm Pitch Did Not Settle The Bigger Question

The applicant said the site is mainly being considered for a local State Farm office. But staff stressed the zoning would stay with the land, not the tenant. That means even if State Farm never ends up there, other allowed commercial uses could still move in later.

Long Neck Road Widening Raises More Concern

Staff said the developer would likely pay only for the portion of Long Neck next to the property, with additional road money possibly held in escrow for later. Commissioners questioned how widening could happen without affecting nearby properties. Residents living along Long Neck are watching that closely because road upgrades can bring more traffic, more pressure, and more questions about who pays.

Neighbor Pushes Back Hard Over Floodplain Risk

A nearby resident spoke at length against the rezoning, arguing the area already has serious drainage problems and that current flood maps may not show the full risk. He warned that rezoning first and studying later could leave the city stuck if the property cannot actually be built as planned. That argument appeared to land, especially with commissioners already asking for more evidence.

Commission Sends It Back Instead Of Sending It Up

In the end, the commission voted 6-0 to continue the public hearing and table the case until April 20. The applicant must return with a traffic study, flood study, and topography. That gives the city more time to test whether this corner can truly handle commercial zoning before it moves any closer to city council.

The meeting did not kill the Long Neck rezoning, but it clearly slowed it down. Commissioners signaled they want facts before giving this one-acre tract a commercial future, and by April 20, the fight will likely come down to whether the studies support the vision or expose too much risk.

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Economic Development Corporation

Princeton’s EDC moved through a money-focused meeting with a major project vote at the end, a fresh look at its marketing budget, and early planning for where the city should chase growth next. The message was clear: Princeton has cash, momentum, and bigger targets in sight.

EDC Says The Bank Balance Looks Big, But Not All Of It Is Free Money

CEO Jim Wehmeyer said the EDC had $11.5 million in the bank as of March 17, with February spending mostly limited to payroll and the regular transfer to the city. He also said some project dollars already approved by the board and council will soon be shown as committed. For residents, that means Princeton has strong resources, but not every dollar is truly up for grabs.

Sales Tax Rebounds And Keeps Princeton Ahead Of Last Year

After a slight dip last month, Princeton’s sales tax came back up 8 percent compared with the same month last year. That puts the EDC about 4 percent ahead of last year and ahead of budget. Since sales tax is the corporation’s main income source, that matters because it shows local spending and population growth are still feeding the city’s economic engine.

Homebuilding Picks Back Up After A Slow Patch

Wehmeyer said single-family building permits had dropped 33 percent last month but bounced back 68 percent this month and are still ahead year to date. He said Princeton is filling openings in development services and expects permit activity to keep climbing during building season. For the community, that points to more homes still coming and more pressure for the city to keep up with growth.

Retail Growth Hype Builds As Officials Hint At More Coming

The EDC said more retail activity is expected later this spring and summer, with even more growth possible next year. Officials tied that outlook to Princeton’s rising population and consumer spending. For residents, that could mean more shopping and services closer to home, while also signaling that traffic and infrastructure demands will likely keep rising too.

Board Starts Mapping Out Princeton’s Next Big Economic Push

Board leaders began outlining a new strategic planning process that would include a SWOT analysis and joint conversations with the CDC and council. The goal is to figure out where Princeton should focus next and how both boards can work together instead of chasing growth in separate lanes.

Marketing Budget Shows Princeton Is Spending To Sell Itself

The EDC reviewed its marketing budget, which totals $226,500 in allowed spending, with plans that include rebuilding the website, chamber support, Dallas Business Journal advertising, regional publications, printed materials, and promotional items. Officials said they do not expect to spend it all.

Healthcare Win Gets Highlighted As A Real Priority Payoff

During the meeting, board members praised Wehmeyer for focusing on healthcare as a top goal and said that effort had already produced results. While the details were pushed to executive session, the public comments made clear that healthcare has been one of the city’s biggest economic development priorities. That is important for residents because it suggests Princeton is trying to attract services people actually need, not just more rooftops.

Project Home Run Gets Approved Before The Meeting Ends

After executive session, the EDC voted 4-1, with one abstention, to approve a development and performance agreement for Project Home Run. The board also authorized the chair or a designee to sign the related documents. The exact details were not discussed publicly, but the vote shows one of Princeton’s active economic development deals officially moved forward.

The meeting showed a city still riding strong revenue, steady housing growth, and a growing appetite for bigger deals. Princeton’s EDC did not just review numbers. It signaled that the next phase will be about spending smarter, targeting the right industries, and turning closed-door projects like Home Run into visible changes residents can actually feel.

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🌿 Business After Hours
📅 March 31 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Willow Pond Venue, 190 County Road 490, Princeton, TX 75407
An easygoing evening to unwind and connect with local professionals in a relaxed setting. Show up, shake a few hands, and let the conversations do the work.

🌾 Farmersville Market
📅 April 4 | 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.

🥪 Lunch & Learn
📅 April 8 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Legacy Church, 120 Ticky Drive, Princeton, TX 75407
Grab a bite and pick up something useful while you're at it. This midday session blends networking with practical insights you can actually use.

☕ Business & Breakfast
📅 April 21 | 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
The Business Center, 123 W Princeton Dr., Suite 200
Early risers get the edge here. Bring your business cards, meet familiar faces and new ones, and build connections before the rest of the city clocks in.