Home Depot And Kroger Wait As Princeton Faces Rental Surge And Growth Pressure

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City Council

Princeton City Council spent part of its April 27, 2026, meeting on two issues that hit close to home for residents. Council members discussed how to protect older buildings and local landmarks before future redevelopment changes them, and they also moved toward tighter rules for short term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo.

Historic Preservation Committee Gets Early Push

Council opened a discussion on creating some kind of historic preservation process, whether that ends up being a formal committee, a staff-led effort, or a mix of both. The goal raised by council was simple: identify buildings, sites, and artifacts tied to Princeton’s past and make sure they are not lost as the city grows.

Cotton Gin And Other Local Sites Spark Concern

The old cotton gin was a big part of the conversation, along with Caldwell Park, the Stephen and Judy Deffibaugh Community Center, downtown buildings, monuments, and other local sites. Council members said residents have reached out about preserving places that may not just be old, but also meaningful to people who have lived here for years.

Staff Says Preservation Would Take Time And Money

City staff said other cities handle preservation in different ways, but any Princeton plan would take oversight, meetings, and likely added cost. A phased approach was discussed, starting with documenting what the city has, then considering how those places could be protected or folded into future master planning.

Council Wants A Report Back On Next Steps

By the end of the discussion, council appeared to agree on one main point: Princeton should at least start identifying and preserving historic places now, even if a full board comes later. Staff was directed to research options and bring back a report on possible next steps, including what could legally qualify and how protection might work.

Short Term Rentals Headed For New Rules

Council also took up short term rentals and heard that Princeton appears to have about 112 active listings based on public data, though staff said that number may not be exact. Staff laid out options ranging from leaving things alone to creating registration, safety, parking, and noise rules, or even limiting where rentals can operate.

Neighborhood Complaints Drove The Discussion

Council members focused heavily on what these rentals can mean for nearby homes, especially noise, parties, parking, and a constant turnover of guests in residential neighborhoods. There was also concern about city enforcement, since code staff is not typically working nights or weekends when complaints may happen.

Registration And Fees Are Now On The Table

Several council members supported requiring short term rentals to register with the city so officials know how many exist and who to contact when problems come up. Fees were also discussed as a way to help cover city costs tied to tracking, enforcement, and public safety response.

HOAs May Help, But City Won’t Enforce Private Rules

The role of homeowners associations came up too. Council heard that some HOAs are already adding restrictions to their own neighborhood rules, but those are enforced privately, not by the city. Even so, that could give some neighborhoods another way to limit short term rentals as new subdivisions are built.

Ordinance Will Come Back For Council Review

By the end of the discussion, council gave staff direction to draft an ordinance for future consideration. That means residents can expect a more detailed proposal later, likely covering registration, contact information, and other guardrails the city may want in place before more rentals pop up.

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City Council

City Council continued to move forward on April 27th, where members dealt with a long night of land-use questions, school plats, a police grant, and a handful of future project updates. The decisions touched everything from neighborhood growth to public safety and a major commercial project, all of which will affect Princeton residents as the city keeps growing.

Public Comment Puts Prayer, Vendors And Development On The Table

Residents used the open mic to raise three different issues. One speaker asked the city to consider a Princeton Day of Prayer tied to the National Day of Prayer on May 7. Another pitched a vendor market idea and asked to bring it back with a fuller presentation. A third urged the council to stop “beating up” developers and to let commercial growth move faster, saying it affects property values and whether projects stay in town.

Council Sends 1503 Long Neck Road To A Commercial PD

Council approved rezoning the one-acre property at 1503 Long Neck Road from single-family estate to Planned Development 46. Staff said the site sits in an area already shifting toward commercial and mixed use, and the plan is meant to keep heavier uses out while allowing lower-impact business space. The applicant said the concept is for office use, but the rezoning still gives the property a different path than a house on a busy corner.

Final Plat For Cross Mill School Site Is Approved Without Infrastructure

Council approved the final plat for Bunchbok Middle School in Cross Mill, but kept the infrastructure separate. Staff said the roadwork on Brookside Boulevard is in city limits, which lets the city hold control over the finish work before the school opens. The same approach was used to keep the school site moving while still making sure the last pieces of the road get done.

Joyce Carroll Elementary Also Gets Final Plat Approval

Council approved the final plat for Joyce Carroll Elementary School with no infrastructure attached. Staff said the school site is also inside city limits and sits along the same Brookside corridor. The approval keeps the project moving for the district while leaving the city’s roadway review in place where it still has leverage.

Cross Mill Phase 1A Plat Gets Pushed To May 11

Council tabled the Cross Mill Phase 1A final plat until the May 11 meeting. Staff said the developer did not get street lights in time, and the city wants the infrastructure issue handled before final plat approval because the tract is outside city limits. That means the city has less control after plat approval, so the delay keeps pressure on the developer to finish the work first.

White Wing Trails Phase 4A1 Final Plat Gets The Green Light

Council approved the final plat for White Wing Trails Phase 4A1 without the infrastructure portion. Staff said the plat met city requirements and the remaining walk-through issue had been cleared after the report was written. The move lets the subdivision keep advancing while the city brings the infrastructure acceptance back later.

White Wing Trails Phase 3E Final Plat Also Passes

Council approved the final plat for White Wing Trails Phase 3E, again without infrastructure attached. Staff said the engineering side has been handled and the plat met city standards. For residents nearby, it means another phase of the neighborhood can keep moving through the process without waiting on a separate infrastructure action.

East Ridge Phase 8 Final Plat Approved

Council also approved the final plat for East Ridge Facilities Phase 8. Staff said this one was simply the plat item, not the infrastructure, and that it met city requirements. The approval keeps the phase on track and clears one more step in the subdivision process.

Larry Thompson Is Reappointed To The North Texas Municipal Water District Board

Council reappointed Larry Thompson to the North Texas Municipal Water District Board. That keeps Princeton’s voice in place on water issues, which matter as the city continues to grow and depends on regional planning for future supply and service.

Police Win Approval To Seek Crime-Fighting Grant

Council approved a resolution for the Police Department to apply for a Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grant. Detective Jordan Hooks said the money would help buy more cameras, tracking tools, and cover part of a detective’s salary tied to vehicle crimes. The department said the grant would pay 80% if awarded, and the city would cover the match, giving police more tools without footing the full bill.

White Wing Trails PID Bond Agreement Moves Forward With A Signer Change

Council approved a resolution tied to the White Wing Trails Public Improvement District No. 2 bond process, but changed the signing authority from the mayor to the interim city manager. That keeps the paperwork in line with how the city usually handles these agreements and avoids slowing the bond closing.

Parks And Rec Building Gets More Furniture And Equipment Money

Council approved spending from an earlier $630,000 allocation for the Parks and Recreation administrative and maintenance building. This round covers furniture, cabling, audio-visual gear, and security items with long lead times. The city said ordering now helps keep the building on schedule so it is ready when needed.

New Law Firm Gets More Time On A Contract Review

Council tabled a contract item until the May 11 meeting so the city’s new law firm can review it first. That gives the attorneys time to go over the proposal before council votes, instead of rushing through a legal decision without fresh eyes on it.

Town Center Still Waiting On TxDOT While Tenants Stay Ready

Staff said Princeton Town Center has cleared city review and is now waiting on TxDOT before more work can begin. The developer said Home Depot, Kroger, and other tenants are still in play, but state approval is holding up the next step. The update also included note of higher costs and changing pricing, which could keep the project from moving as fast as anyone wants.

Council Adds Future Topics For May

Members asked to bring several items back later, including the vendor market proposal, the library bond discussion, the National Day of Prayer proclamation, and old meeting minutes from December 9. Those items are set to return through the agenda process next month, keeping them alive for more discussion instead of being dropped altogether.

💼 The Business Toolbox
📅 May 5 | 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
The Business Center, 123 W Princeton Drive Suite 200, Princeton, TX
A smart pick for small business owners who want social media to feel less like a chore and more like a useful tool. This first workshop in the series is all about practical strategies you can actually use, and lunch is included with registration.

🏛️ Princeton City Council
📅 May 11 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Princeton Municipal Center, 2000 E. Princeton St., Princeton, TX 75407
A good chance to stay plugged in to what’s happening locally and hear city business straight from the source. Very civic-minded, very in the know.

🥪 Lunch & Learn
📅 May 13 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Texas-New Mexico Power, 11626 County Road 496, Princeton, TX
Midday networking with a side of useful insight is rarely a bad idea. If you like your lunch hour productive but still social, this one fits the bill.