Princeton Raises The Roof On U.S. 380 As Hotels And Hospitals Start Looking This Way

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City Council

At the May 11, 2026 City Council work session, members focused on three big items that could shape daily life in Princeton: tighter rules for sex offenders, new safety limits for e-bikes and scooters, and a scaled-back parks bond project for the Princeton Aquatic and Recreation Center. The talks touched families, school routes, neighborhood safety, and how the city plans to spend bond money.

Sex Offender Ordinance Draft Gets A Fresh Push

Chief and council discussed updating the city’s sex offender rules after the item was postponed for a full presentation. The draft would look at tiered offender classifications, stronger cluster restrictions, rental enforcement language, and holiday limits tied to things like Halloween. Officials said legal review is still needed before anything comes back for a vote.

City Looks At Closer Tracking And Notification

Council also talked about how Princeton would know when a registered offender moves into town. Chief said parole or probation officers must get in touch with the city, and the state registry still applies. He also pointed residents to Offender Watch, an online alert tool already on the city website, so people can look up names and sign up for notifications.

E-Bike Rules Move Forward After Safety Concerns

Council then turned to e-bike and scooter safety after several recent crashes and near-misses involving kids. The city is looking at an ordinance based on examples from Frisco, Allen, Plano, and McKinney. The draft would deal with age limits, helmets, parent responsibility, and where riders can go, especially near schools and busy roads like Monte Carlo and Beauchamp.

Council Debates Sidewalks, Streets, And Education

The biggest split was over where kids should ride. Some council members said the city may need to rethink its sidewalk ban for bicycles so young riders are not pushed onto fast roads. Others stressed education first, with the chief saying the city plans to work with schools before enforcement starts. A shop owner who services e-bikes also warned that many devices are mislabeled and that parents need better information.

Parks Bond Rec Center Shrinks, But Keeps Major Features

The Princeton Aquatic and Recreation Center, also called PARK, came back with a lower price tag after council asked staff to scale it down. The project had been running around $75 million to $80 million, but staff said it is now closer to $60 million. The redesign cuts building size and materials while keeping aquatics, fitness, child care, a gym, and community rooms.

Senior Programming Still Needs A Place

Council pressed for clearer plans for seniors, since the facility is being described as multi-generational. Staff said the new center will have flexible rooms and a heated pool, and that senior-focused programming can be scheduled during daytime hours. Leaders also said they still want a dedicated senior space in the future, even if this first phase does not fully deliver it.

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City Council

Princeton leaders continued to move city business forward on May 11, working through a packed agenda tied to public safety, city finances, development rules, and youth services. The decisions affect everything from how Princeton pays for emergency response to what kinds of buildings can rise near U.S. 380, plus a new partnership idea that could bring a library and Boys and Girls Club under one roof.

Fire Services Deal Extended With Lowry Crossing MUD

Council approved a renewed agreement with Lowry Crossing Municipal Utility District No. 1 for fire protection and emergency medical services. Chief Stevens said the deal sets a monthly fee of $50 per service connection, with annual adjustments tied to operating costs. For residents in that area, it keeps emergency coverage in place through a formal city contract.

Cintas Contracts Rolled Into One Master Deal

Council also signed off on combining four separate Cintas contracts into one master agreement through May 10, 2031. Staff said the move does not change the catalog pricing, but it should make billing and tracking easier across departments. The city has been spending about $59,000 a year on the items, including uniforms, mats, and shop towels.

Council Green-Lights U.S. 380 Height Change

After a public hearing, council approved a zoning amendment that allows buildings up to 60 feet tall within 1,000 feet of the U.S. 380 right of way in C2 districts. Staff said the change could help attract hotels and hospitals, which often need more height than the current 35-foot cap allows. Some council members raised concerns about nearby homes, but the ordinance passed 6-1.

Boys And Girls Club And Library Idea Gets A Closer Look

Council heard a pitch for a combined library and Boys and Girls Club concept as part of a “purposeful partnership” plan. Boys and Girls Club leaders said Princeton already has a strong youth base and that a shared site could serve more kids, especially teens who are not being reached now. America’s Holdings said it could help develop the project and deliver a guaranteed maximum price in about four to six months if the city moves forward.

Election Results Finalized For City Council Seat 4

Council canvassed the May 2 special election and ordered a runoff for City Council Seat 4. The runoff will be held June 1 through June 13. The vote officially locked in the election results and set the next step in filling the vacant seat.

Second-Quarter Budget Report Shows Strong Cash And Tax Collections

Finance staff reported the city held about $267 million in cash and investments at midyear, with interest earnings at roughly $5.38 million so far. Property tax collections came in above budget, sales tax stayed ahead of last year, and permit-related revenue remained strong even as the city sees growth level off from earlier highs. Staff said utility costs and water purchases remain key pressures to watch.

Budget Amendment Adds Public Safety, Contracts, And Impact Fee Items

Council approved a budget amendment that makes room for several items, including fire equipment, a fire training chief, a traffic enforcement officer, animal shelter contract increases, and fleet lease costs. The amendment also moves donation money into a special revenue fund and sets aside reimbursements tied to development agreements, including Winchester Crossing-related impact fee payments. Finance staff said the city still stays above its reserve target.

FEMA Fire Staffing Grant Gets Council Support To Move Forward

Council gave the fire department the go-ahead to continue the FEMA SAFER grant process for six firefighter positions. Chief Stevens said the federal grant would phase in city costs over several years, starting with FEMA paying 100% the first year before shifting more of the cost to the city. The application will come back later for final council approval.

East Ridge Assessment Process Moves Ahead For Final Phase

Council approved the next step for East Ridge’s public improvement district, starting the notice process for a public hearing on assessments tied to the final phase. Bond counsel said this wraps up the district’s financing plan and will lead to a June 8 hearing before final action. A related TIRZ amendment also moved forward so the city can keep using part of the tax increment to help buy down PID assessments.

Cross Mill Plat Delayed Again

Council tabled the final plat for Cross Mill Phase 1A, which is tied to acceptance of Brookside Boulevard. Staff said the developer still has not received its lights, so the matter will return later. It was another delay in the subdivision’s approval chain.

McDonald’s Plat Approved After More Questions On Process

Council approved the final plat for the McDonald’s project near FM 75 and Monte Carlo. Discussion focused less on the restaurant itself and more on why the building was already under construction before the plat reached council. Staff said the project began under an older process and said future certificate of occupancy work will still depend on inspections and completion of detention improvements.

U.S. 380 Utility Relocation Accepted

Council accepted the relocated water and wastewater infrastructure tied to the U.S. 380 widening project. Staff said the work had to be split between contractors to meet TxDOT’s deadline, and engineers signed off after walkthroughs. That clears the way for the city to move on from the utility relocation phase.

The meeting ended with council asking for future discussion on the public safety headquarters site, PD46, and the proposed library partnership. Several items tied to growth, public safety, and development will be back next month, including the East Ridge hearing, the SAFER grant resolution, and more debate over Princeton’s long-term land use and facility plans.

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🥪 Lunch & Learn
📅 May 13 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Texas-New Mexico Power 11626 County Road 496 Princeton, TX
A solid midday option if you like your networking with a side of useful conversation. Smart, social, and a nice excuse to step away from your desk.

☕ Business & Breakfast
📅 May 19 | 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
The Business Center 123 W Princeton Dr., Suite 200
An early-morning mixer for swapping business cards and meeting local folks who mean business. Coffee and connections is a pretty reliable combo.

🏛️ Princeton EDC
📅 May 19 | 6:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Princeton Municpal Center Chamber 2000 E. Princeton Rd. Princeton, TX 75407
For locals who like to keep an eye on what’s shaping Princeton’s future. Not flashy, but definitely the kind of meeting that matters.

🏙️ Princeton CDC
📅 May 20 | 6:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Princeton Municipal Center 2000 E. Princeton Dr. Princeton, TX 75407
Another worthwhile stop for anyone who likes to stay plugged into community development. Very much small-town civic life, in the best way.

🇺🇸 Placing Flags at Princeton Cemetery
📅 May 22 | 9:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Princeton Cemetery Yorkshire Drive
A meaningful way to honor veterans and spend part of your morning doing something that truly counts. Quiet, thoughtful, and full of heart.

🏛️ Princeton City Council
📅 May 25 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Princeton Municipal Center 2000 E. Princeton St. Princeton, TX 75407
If you like knowing what’s happening locally before it becomes neighborhood chatter, this is the room to be in. Civic, useful, and very Princeton.

🗳️ Candidate Forum
📅 May 30 | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Princeton Municipal Center 2000 E Princeton Drive Princeton, TX
A good opportunity to hear directly from candidates for City Council Place 4. Bring your curiosity and your local questions energy.