Princeton Names New Planning And Zoning Vice Chair As Quick Splash Car Wash Wins 1732 East Princeton Drive Approval, EDC Ties Cash Grants To Home Depot And Kroger

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Planning and Zoning

At the May 18, 2026, Planning and Zoning meeting, commissioners handled a short but meaningful agenda that touched on leadership, a proposed car wash site near City Hall, and extra training for the board. The discussion matters most for residents tracking development along U.S. 380 and how land use decisions get made.

Ellis Wins Vice Chair Seat

The commission appointed Mrs. Ellis as vice chair in a 4 to 0 vote. With the seat now filled, the board has its leadership team in place as it continues reviewing plats, zoning cases, and other development items that can shape growth across Princeton.

Car Wash Plat Moves Forward Near City Hall

Commissioners approved the final plat for AFK Wash Investments, a 1.184 acre tract at 1732 East Princeton Drive. Staff said the site is part of Princeton Crossroads, near 7-Eleven and Strickland Brothers, and that it would be called Quick Splash Car Wash. Staff also said the plat met city code on detention and access.

Missing Signature Issue Gets Cleared Up

The same plat had been held up over application paperwork, but staff said the updated filing now includes both the needed signature and notary stamp. That changed the staff recommendation from denial to approval, clearing the way for the commission to act on the actual plat instead of the paperwork problem.

Commission Gets A Lesson On What It Can And Cannot Deny

Part of the meeting turned into a basic legal refresher after one commissioner initially abstained, saying she had not been involved in earlier discussions. The city attorney explained that plats are not like zoning cases. If a plat meets state law and city rules, the commission must approve it. After that explanation, the vote was changed and the item passed 4 to 0.

Training Session Delayed To June 1

A planned work session did not happen before the meeting, so commissioners moved it to June 1. Members said they want that presentation held before the regular meeting, and settled on a 5:30 p.m. start so there is more time for questions. That could give newer members a clearer picture of how plat reviews work before more cases come forward.

In the end, the commission filled its vice chair position, approved the Quick Splash car wash plat after clearing up legal and paperwork questions, and set aside extra training time for June 1. Next month’s meeting is expected to bring that work session back before the regular agenda begins.

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Economic Development Corporation

The Princeton Economic Development Corporation met Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and spent most of the evening on how the city should prepare for growth. The discussion touched staff levels, sales tax trends, upcoming training, legal services, and how board members can keep adding items to future agendas. The choices made, and the questions left open, will affect how the board handles business attraction, redevelopment, and public spending in the months ahead.

Sales Tax And Cash Position Stay Strong

Allison Wilson walked the board through Fund 7, saying the corporation’s cash position and overall equity remain strong, even with money set aside for approved projects. She said some funds are already tied up in Project 41 and Project Queen, and explained that those commitments are separate from money already in the bank. She also reported sales tax collections were still trending up, with the latest month finishing above the prior two fiscal years.

Home Depot And Kroger Funds Were Identified

During the financial review, the board asked whether the project names behind two large cash grants could be said out loud. Staff said the agreements are public, and confirmed the projects are Home Depot and Kroger, tied to the Princeton Town Center. For residents, that clears up where a chunk of the corporation’s money is parked while those deals move forward.

Board Member Pushes For Staff And Structure Review

DeShawn Walker asked the board to look closely at whether the EDC is staffed enough for Princeton’s growth. She urged leaders to compare Princeton with other cities and bring back a staffing and organizational structure recommendation. Other board members agreed the city needs to stay ahead of growth, but said the board should look at population, revenue, geography, and what jobs can be done with technology before adding headcount.

Board Wants Benchmark Data Before Any Hiring Move

The board kept circling back to one point: if Princeton is going to add staff, it should be based on hard numbers. Members discussed comparing Princeton with similar and larger North Texas cities, then using projections for the next five to 10 years to decide what the office actually needs. The idea is to avoid hiring too soon, while still making sure one person isn’t carrying work that could fall through the cracks.

TDC Conference Put On The Radar

Allison Wilson told the board about the Texas Economic Development Council mid-year conference coming up in June in the DFW area. She said the event offers training, networking, and a chance to see what other cities are doing, and noted sponsorships are also available. Several board members said the meeting sounded worthwhile, especially if they can split up attendance instead of committing to all three days.

Attorney Search Launched For Both Boards

Staff reported that a request for qualifications for an attorney was posted on May 14 and sent to 19 law firms. The posting runs through May 28 and could be extended if needed. That gives both boards a formal path to bring in legal help, which could matter as projects get more complicated.

Future Agenda Item Rule Gets Clarified

The board also talked through whether it needed a vote to keep a future agenda item on the books. Staff and counsel said the board can add items through the normal process without a formal vote each time, and that board members can still raise new business between meetings if needed. The exchange was mostly about making sure the process stays public and that no one member is carrying the load alone.

Executive Session Closed Without Action

The board later went into executive session to discuss legal and property matters tied to several projects. When members returned, leaders said no action was taken.

The meeting ended with the board still in a planning mode, but with several clear next steps on deck: compare staffing needs to other cities, keep the attorney search moving, consider conference participation, and keep watching revenue and commitments. The staffing and benchmark discussion is expected back next month, along with whatever data staff can pull together for the board to review.

🏛️ Princeton CDC
📅 May 20 | 6:00 PM
Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton Dr., Princeton, TX 75407
A solid pick if you like knowing what’s taking shape around town. Very local-government-core, in the best possible way.

🇺🇸 Placing Flags at Princeton Cemetery
📅 May 22 | 9:00 AM
Princeton Cemetery, Yorkshire Drive
A meaningful community moment to honor local veterans. Simple, heartfelt, and well worth showing up for.

🗣️ Princeton City Council
📅 May 25 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton St., Princeton, TX 75407
If you want the closest thing to a live feed of what’s happening in Princeton, this is it. Bring your civic curiosity.

🗳️ Candidate Forum
📅 May 30 | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E Princeton Drive, Princeton, TX
A smart stop for anyone who likes their local elections with a little more context. Good questions, real stakes, and no guesswork required.

🏛️ Princeton City Council
📅 June 8 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton St., Princeton, TX 75407
Another chance to stay in the loop on city business without relying on secondhand summaries. Not flashy, but definitely useful.