McKinney P&Z signs off on changes to residential development standards
🏗️ McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission are recommending approval of several amendments to the city’s Unified Development Code.
The amendments are suggested by staff in light of recent changes to state law that took effect Sept. 1. The changes limit the city's ability to regulate multifamily development and single-family lot sizes.
The setup: City Planning Manager Hayley Angel presented the proposed amendments during a Sept. 9 meeting before commission members voted. Changes were proposed in response to bills, including Senate Bill 840, that passed the Texas Legislature earlier this year.
The details: Multiple changes were proposed in order to comply with state law. In response to SB 840, staff are proposing to change the name of the city’s “MF-30” multifamily zoning district to “MF-36” to reflect new density requirements, according to a city document. Amendments are also being made to reflect new requirements for parking, building height and setback distance.
What's next: McKinney City Council members are expected to consider the amendments for final action Sept. 16, according to a city document.
Chip City Cookies to debut first Texas location in McKinney
🍪 Chip City Cookies is set to open in McKinney’s District 121 in September, a representative of the business confirmed.
The gist: The New York-based cookie company offers a variety of fresh-baked cookies in a weekly rotating menu, with over 100 flavors offered each year. Some cookie flavors offered include:
S’mores
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
Blueberry Cheesecake
Lemon Berry
Cannoli
Get involved: The McKinney location will offer grand opening festivities including a free cookie with any purchase for the first 100 customers, a representative of the business said.
Visit McKinney earns 2 awards at 2025 Destinations Texas Conference
🏅Visit McKinney was recognized with two awards at the 2025 Destinations Texas Annual Conference held Sept. 3 in Fort Worth.
The details: The organization received an award for Best Meetings and Events Promotion and the Judge’s Choice award for its sports trading cards campaign. The campaign was designed to showcase the city’s sports venues while highlighting McKinney as a premier destination for athletic tournaments and gatherings, according to a news release.
Also of note: Visit McKinney Executive Director Aaron Werner also completed the Destination Management Specialist certification. The certification recognizes tourism leaders who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and expertise in destination management and development.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Dallas - Fort Worth area.
The new brunch spot, Main St., celebrated its grand opening in September.
The restaurant held a ribbon cutting ceremony and offered light refreshments Sept. 11.
Main St. offers a variety of breakfast options from the “All American” combo that comes with an 8-ounce steak to skillet-style Migas, a Spanish and Tex-Mex breakfast dish that comes with scrambled eggs and chorizo.
The restaurant also offers a variety of lunch items such as burgers, sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads.
🆕 Luna Grill to offer Mediterranean cuisine in Plano (Read more)
🍷 SoHo Wine Bar and restaurant now offers seafood, Italian dining (Read more)
😋 Pizza Guys to offer cheese-stuffed, heart-shaped pizza crust in Plano (Read more)
Although Palato Italian Kitchen and Lounge is located on the ground floor of Hall Hotel in Frisco, General Manager Hans Ritten and Director of Food and Beverage Carl Rogers are pleased to see a balanced mix of local diners and hotel guests enjoying the restaurant.
Ritten describes the ambiance as elegant yet approachable.
“This is for families, first dates and business [meetings],” Ritten said. “We want to make sure it's not a special occasion restaurant, it’s for everyone. We don’t want people to feel intimidated.”
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
