New single-family homes are being proposed for a nearly 39-acre property along FM 543 in north McKinney.

In a nutshell: McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend approval of a zoning request for the property during an April 14 meeting. The action will be forwarded to McKinney City Council on May 5 for consideration and final action, according to a city document.

If approved by council, 38.9 acres of land would be zoned as an “R5” residential district. This zoning designation is used to accommodate medium-density, single-family residential homes.

More details: Two people expressed concerns about traffic on FM 543 during public comment. Robert D’Angelo, who lives near the property, said multiple housing developments have been underway in the last four years.

“I just don’t believe that we have the infrastructure right now to support all of these additional homes,” he said. “[FM] 543 is still one lane each way, and in the last four years, that has just been a lot more traffic, especially during rush hour.”

Patients at Medical City McKinney have a new option for cardiovascular care.

Medical City McKinney is offering a new procedure called Left Atrial Appendage Closure, which is designed to reduce the risk of stroke without blood-thinning medication, according to an April 9 news release.

A closer look: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that more than eight million Americans take blood thinners to prevent blood clots, the release states. This surgery provides another option to manage cardiovascular health.

The surgery involves inserting implants into the heart through a catheter that closes off the left atrial appendage, which can reduce the risk of stroke, the release states. Eligible patients can also undergo the procedure at the same time as a cardiac atrial fibrillation ablation, per the release.

Community Impact sat down with the president and chief executive officer of the TurfMutt Foundation, Kris Kiser, to discuss the importance of lawn maintenance and a few tips to ensure your yard looks good year-round.

The TurfMutt Foundation is a nonprofit that advocates for outdoor living and the care and stewardship of yards, parks and other green spaces, according to its website.

Responses have been edited for length, clarity and style.

Why should homeowners take care of their lawns?
Our outdoor spaces, particularly our lawns, are an extension of our home. During COVID, people really did reconnect to the outdoors. It was a safe space where you could entertain, cook and meet with friends and family. It created a connection to the outdoors that we used to have.

What common mistake should homeowners watch out for when planting?
Time of year. You want the ground to essentially be thawed, so you don't want a hard freeze. Remember that newly planted plants will need water, likely supplemental water, until they're established.

The State Board of Education gave preliminary approval April 10 to roughly 200 literary works that all Texas public school students would be required to read beginning in 2030.

What happened: The SBOE trimmed about 100 titles from a list proposed by the Texas Education Agency, which board members and educators criticized as too long to be taught. The Republican-led board signed off on a revised list in a 9-5 party-line vote April 10.

The details: The draft list ranges from nursery rhymes and short stories in early grades to classical and 20th-century literature in high school. The list also includes about a dozen excerpts from the Bible. While students learn about world religions today, Texans testified that if the reading list is approved, it would be the first time in recent history that state leaders mandate religious readings in the classroom.  

Next steps: Board members are scheduled to take a final vote on the reading list in June. If approved, the list will be used in classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.