VanTrust gets industrial zoning for 63 acres along SH 121
National developer VanTrust Real Estate secured new zoning in September for nearly 63 acres of land along the SH 121 corridor through McKinney.
What happened: Council members unanimously approved the zoning request during a Sept. 2 meeting. The action authorizes light industrial zoning for two tracts of land totaling 62.9 acres. City staff did not recommend approval since the city’s comprehensive plan envisions entertainment uses along the SH 121 corridor.
Bob Roeder, a director and shareholder with Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, spoke on behalf of VanTrust, the applicant, during the meeting.
“We’re here tonight because this property, my client’s property, does not lend itself for a commercial-, retail-, entertainment-type use,” Roeder said.
Instead, VanTrust officials intend to build five buildings for low-impact industrial uses under the city’s “L1” light industrial zoning.
Collin County Area Realtors merges with MetroTex Association of Realtors
🏡 Collin County Area Realtors has merged with the MetroTex Association of Realtors to become a nearly 40,000-member association specializing in the North Texas real estate industry.
The gist: The merger was approved by member votes between both associations in July, according to a news release. It was first endorsed by both associations’ board of directors. MetroTex CEO Justin Landon will lead the merged association, according to the news release. The merger is expected to lead to strengthened legislative influence, expanded professional development and more.
Quote of note: “We’re approaching this transition with focus and care to ensure a smooth experience for every member,” Landon said in a statement. “We are committed to being a national leader among realtor associations. Our DFW real estate professionals deserve no less.”
UNT partners with North Texas colleges to launch new workforce development plan
University of North Texas President Harrison Keller announced the Texas Talent Accelerator, a program designed to better develop and match workforce talent with employers, during a Sept. 4 panel event at UNT’s Frisco Campus.
In a nutshell: The Accelerator aims to optimize education and job training to meet labor demands in the growing North Texas economy, Keller said.
“We have rising sectors in financial services, supply chain and logistics, healthcare, film and entertainment,” Keller said. “We have the most top-tier higher education institutions of any of the metro areas. ... We have all the pieces of the puzzle, but we need to connect them more strategically.”
First phase of FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket sales starts Sept. 10
FIFA announced the initial ticket draw will start Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. CT and run through 10 a.m., Sept. 19, for Visa customers only. Visa is a corporate partner for the World Cup, according to a news release. The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Arlington's AT&T Stadium is slated to host games.
The details: According to the website, Visa cardholders can log in during that time frame and enter the drawing by using their FIFA ID. If selected, fans will get an email notification Sept. 29 and will be given a designated time and date to log in and purchase tickets as early as Oct. 1. Tickets will start at $60 and go up to $6,730 for the finals, but according to a news release, a successful draw application does not guarantee that tickets will be available for purchase during the time slot. If selected, fans can buy up to 40 tickets to different games, with a maximum of four per game, for all 104 games.
Cellphone ban, library materials: 8 new Texas laws impacting public schools
When Texas students returned to school in August, some substantial changes awaited them.
The overview:
House Bill 2 increases state funding for public schools by $8.4 billion.
House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using cellphones and other personal communication devices throughout the school day.
Senate Bill 12 requires parental consent for students to receive "medical, psychiatric and psychological treatment" on campus.
Senate Bill 13 gives parents and school boards more oversight of library materials.
House Bill 6 gives teachers more discretion to remove repeatedly disruptive or violent students from class.
Senate Bill 10 requires most schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Senate Bill 11 allows districts to set aside time for students and staff to pray or read religious texts at school.
Senate Bill 965 codifies school employees' rights to "engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty."
The context: The sweeping changes come after lawmakers passed what state leaders have called “transformative” education laws during this year’s regular legislative session, which ended June 2.
