🌳 Princeton Momentum Builds, Park Groundbreaking, Council Shakeups And Growth Moves

Princeton residents will soon see another community space move from plans to reality. A groundbreaking ceremony for J.J. Book Wilson Memorial Park is scheduled for February 19 at 10:00 a.m. at 650 Beauchamp Boulevard. The new park is expected to bring added recreational space and amenities for families and kids, giving nearby neighborhoods more places to gather and enjoy outdoor activities as the city continues expanding community spaces.

This meeting, held earlier this week, brought a mix of resident concerns, updated deadlines for board applications, and several growth-related approvals. Discussions focused on transparency, planning for ongoing growth, and how city decisions continue to shape everyday life around town.

📝 Board Applications Reopened With A New Deadline
Council voted 5-0 to reopen applications for all city boards, after realizing the Library Board process was not communicated clearly. New deadline: Wednesday, 2/18 at 5:00 p.m. Applications will come back for review at the 2/23 meeting, giving residents another shot to apply.

🏠 416 N 4th Street: Request To Restore A Former Church Use
A community member asked for an update on their offer to restore and use the Stephen and Judy Defiber Center at 416 N 4th Street as a church again. They said they have been waiting since last year for a response, and want clearer direction from the city.

📹 Concern Raised About Ongoing Property Vandalism Near 4th And Monte Carlo
A resident told council their Jewish flag has been torn down six times at their property near the intersection of 4th Street and Monte Carlo, with the most recent incident happening on a Thursday. They said they have reported it to police three times and asked the city to be aware.

💧 $169,000 Water And Wastewater Rate Contract Approved After Questions
Council pulled Item H5 off the consent agenda for discussion, then voted 5-0 to approve a $169,000 contract (up to 5 years) with New Gen Strategies and Solutions for water and wastewater rate analysis. Staff said they will use a purchase order to help prevent overspending compared to past concerns.

⛽ Convenience Store + Gas Pumps Approved At S Beecham Blvd And Myrick Lane
Council approved Ordinance 2026020902 for a specific use permit tied to a convenience store with gas pumps at the northwest corner of S Beecham Boulevard and Myrick Lane. The SUP area expanded from about 1.3 acres to 1.6 acres, but the applicant said the store size and number of pumps are not changing.

📍 1.311 Acres Added Into City Limits Near FM 75 And CR 408
Council approved voluntary annexation of a 1.311-acre tract at the northwest corner of FM 75 and County Road 408, described as a small “donut hole” mostly surrounded by city limits. Staff said water and sewer are available and the city can provide services.

🌳 Rezoning Approved For A Commercial Convenience Store Near FM 75 And CR 408
Right after annexing the land, council approved rezoning from AG to PD23A to match nearby zoning, placing the site into an area intended to serve surrounding neighborhoods. Council asked about trees on the lot, and staff said a tree survey and mitigation plan will be required during platting.

🧾 Winter Storm Response: Warming Center And A Safer Curve
Council and staff thanked public works, police, fire, and the EOC team for operating a warming center and being prepared during the winter storm. One council member highlighted the dangerous curve at Long Neck and College, saying crews repeatedly drove it to create tracks and there were zero accidents there this time.

🏅 Officer Recognized For Response To Dog Attack On Princeton Heights Blvd
The Police Chief recognized Officer Lewis for meritorious conduct tied to an incident on October 14, 2025, in the 1,000 block of Princeton Heights Boulevard. Officers responded to a severe dog attack, and during a second attack the officer stepped in to protect an animal control officer and a civilian.

📚 Community Programs Shared: Parents, Breastfeeding Support, And A Reading Challenge
Staff highlighted Building Strong Futures, a free six-week program offering workshops, food assistance, and resources for parents and children. They also promoted monthly education sessions for women seeking labor and lactation support, held the first Monday of every month. The Lois Nelson Public Library promoted the Texas America 250 Reading Challenge to log 2,500 minutes of reading, park visits, and or service.

🗳️ Seat 4 Resignation Accepted, Special Election Set For May 2, 2026
Council accepted the resignation of the Seat 4 council member and approved calling a special election on Saturday, May 2, 2026 to fill the vacancy. The seat term runs through November 2027, which is why a special election is required.

🧩 Cypress Bend Area Replat Recommended For Denial So It Can Be Fixed And Resubmitted
Council heard a replat request for Shops at Cypress Bend LLC for a 4.068-acre property on the south side of W Princeton Drive (US 380), just east of Cypress Bend Parkway. Planning and Zoning recommended denial due to outstanding comments, which would allow the applicant to revise and resubmit.

🧱 Plat Review Transparency And A Denial Approved (M10-2026-034)
Council praised a process change aimed at meeting the state’s plat “shot clock” timelines and making resubmittals more visible to the public. The message was that plats are being reviewed, sent back for fixes, and denied when needed. Council approved the denial for M10-2026-034 by a 5-0 vote.

🛍️ Shops At Monticello Split Requested Near FM 75 And Monticello Drive (M11-2026-035)
A request to split a 4.099-acre commercial site at the southwest corner of FM 75 and Monticello Drive into two lots was brought forward. Staff and Planning & Zoning recommended denial due to unresolved items. Council approved the denial for M11-2026-035, voting 5-0.

🌧️ Drainage Pond Must Be Built Before That Site Can Move Forward
Council focused on drainage because the area relies on infrastructure tied to a large detention pond. Staff said a regional detention pond south of the site must be completed before the commercial lots can move forward, and the goal is for it to be public infrastructure so the city can inspect it.

🚓 Princeton Police 2025 Report: Staffing Gains While The City Grew Fast
Police shared that Princeton grew about 17% from 2024 to 2025, and the department hired 9 officers, many with prior experience. For residents, this is about keeping service levels stable as traffic and call volume rise, especially in fast-growing areas across the city.

⏱️ Calls Up, Response Times Slower, Still Under National Average
Police reported calls for service increased about 34% and average response time rose to 6.59 minutes from 3.41 the year prior. The city’s long layout and heavy traffic were cited. Practically, residents may notice longer waits in far north or far south neighborhoods during busy periods.

🚗 Traffic And Accidents: Enforcement Areas And Crash Volume
Police reported 801 accidents inside city limits and described using targeted Traffic Enforcement Areas, including around school zones. The focus is visibility and prevention, which residents may feel as increased patrol presence near campuses and common cut-through routes during peak hours.

🧾 Racial Profiling Report: No Complaints Filed In 2025
Police said traffic stops increased by about 292, while the report’s race and ethnicity percentages stayed close to the prior year. They reported no racial profiling complaints filed in 2025 and said supervisors also conduct quarterly reviews.

🏫 School Safety Staffing And Summer Youth Programs
Police described planning for growth as new campuses open, including staffing agreements that place an SRO at new middle and high schools. They also discussed summer programs like a youth leadership week and a planned Junior Police Academy for high school students.

📚 Future Agenda Requests: Library Staffing And A Safe Exchange Spot
Council asked to bring back an item to consider turning a part-time library position into full-time, tied to opening on Saturdays and improving coverage. They also requested costs for a safe public exchange area at the new police department parking lot for Marketplace swaps and custody exchanges.

The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board met to review financial reports tied to several major development areas across Princeton. Most of the discussion focused on how growth in neighborhoods like White Wing Trails, Sicily, and Eastridge is affecting city finances and resident PID costs.

🏘️ White Wing Trails Phase One Financials Approved
Board members reviewed the annual report for White Wing Trails PID No. 2 Phase One, a 95-acre development created in 2019. The area has about 350 homes built toward a 366-home goal, plus future multifamily units. About $27,473 in incremental revenue was generated, helping offset PID assessments for residents living there.

📈 White Wing Trails Phase Two Shows Rapid Expansion
The 730-acre Phase Two section of White Wing Trails continues to grow, with 506 homes completed out of a planned 2,163. The zone produced $21,774 in incremental revenue. These funds go back toward infrastructure commitments and PID credits, which can reduce assessment impacts tied to neighborhood growth.

🌊 Sicily Development Still Early With No New Revenue Yet
The 502-acre Sicily PID, approved in 2023, plans for 3,375 homes plus commercial space and a lagoon feature. About 241 homes have been built so far, but property values have not yet exceeded the base year, meaning no incremental revenue was generated yet. Residents may not see financial effects until more buildout occurs.

🏡 Eastridge Development Generates New Growth Revenue
Eastridge PID, covering 547 acres with 2,344 planned lots, reported a captured value increase generating about $428 in revenue. While small right now, the funding contributes toward TIRZ credits that help offset PID costs as the neighborhood continues expanding.

💰 Southridge PID Adds Over $55K Toward Infrastructure Commitments
Southridge, a 227-acre development with 879 planned lots, generated $55,609 in incremental revenue tied to rising property values. Part of that funding shifts from general city funds into the TIRZ program, supporting infrastructure obligations connected to the neighborhood’s growth.

📊 New Westridge Zone Outlined With Long-Term Timeline
The board received an overview of the newly created Westridge PID, a 252-acre project approved in 2025 that plans for 1,103 lots. The zone runs through 2055, but no financial report exists yet since development is still in its early stages.

🥗 Lunch & Learn
📅 February 11 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
📍 Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton Drive, Princeton, TX 75407
A midday gathering that mixes community conversation with a little professional growth. It’s the kind of local meetup where ideas and neighbors come together over lunch.

❌ Canceled: HeartStrings: A Valentine Kora Concert
📅 February 13
📍 Steve & Judy Deffibaugh Community Center, Princeton, TX
The kora music event planned for Valentine’s weekend has been canceled. City officials shared an apology and encouraged residents to keep an eye out for future announcements.

🌽 Lavon Farmers Market
📅 February 15 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
📍 100 S Main St, Lavon, TX 75166
A relaxed weekend market filled with local vendors and easy small town browsing. Great for a slow Sunday stroll while supporting local businesses.

Learn more

🏛️ Planning & Zoning Commission Special Meeting
📅 February 17 | Evening
📍 Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton Drive, Princeton, TX 75407
Commissioners will review development proposals and planning items that help shape Princeton’s future growth. A good chance to see how upcoming projects move from idea to reality.

🏙️ Community Development Corporation Meeting
📅 February 18 | 6:00 PM
📍 Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton Drive, Princeton, TX 75407
This city board discussion focuses on economic development, funding priorities, and long term investments that impact how Princeton continues to expand.