Check out three recent updates from Allen City Council, the Allen Planning and Zoning Commission and local developers that you may have missed.

1. 311-unit multifamily project to break ground at The Farm in Allen: Atlanta-based multifamily development and construction firm Wood Partners is bringing Alta Preserve, a 311-unit multifamily community, to The Farm, a 135-acre mixed-use development located along SH 121.

2. $17M mixed-use development to bring restaurants, more in Phase 1 of downtown Allen revitalization: In a 6-0 vote with council member Ken Cook absent, Allen City Council approved the first phase of the city’s Downtown Catalyst Project at a March 10 meeting. When completed, the site will feature 18,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, a public pocket park and more. 

3. Single-family residences proposed for 2-acre site in Allen: The Allen Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval to change the zoning of just over 2 acres near Allen Heights Drive at its March 17 meeting. If approved, the zoning change would enable the development of eight homes, city documents state.

Agave & Ember Mexican Cuisine is coming to Allen this summer, owner Blanca Basinger said.

The details: The menu will feature homemade Mexican food with several healthy and gluten-free options, Basinger said. Agave & Ember Mexican Cuisine will also offers brunch.

• 960 W. Exchange Pkwy, Ste. 150, Allen

Stay informed on five road projects happening around Dallas-Fort Worth. 

1. Traffic signals along Bloomdale Road 
Project: Two traffic lights will be constructed on Bloomsdale Road at the intersections of Hardin Boulevard and Community Avenue.
Update: The city of McKinney approved a contract with traffic engineering firm Lee Engineering during a March 17 meeting for preliminary engineering and final design services for the traffic signals. 

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: $122,337
• Funding source: city of McKinney

• Timeline: Work will take 10 months to complete.
• Cost: $1.8 million
• Funding sources: federal sources, city of Plano

Beginning April 1, Texans can no longer use food stamps to purchase sweetened beverages and candy.

How we got here: During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379, which prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used to purchase candy and sweetened drinks. In August, the federal government approved a waiver allowing Texas to implement the prohibition beginning April 1.

Texas will be the ninth state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used on sugary items, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How it works: Under SB 379, Texans will not be allowed to use their SNAP benefits to buy sweetened drinks containing any artificial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. SB 379 also bans the purchase of candy with Lone Star Cards.

It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train staff to recognize the newly restricted items, according to the HHSC.