Good Morning, Plano South!

Top Story
Plano commission OKs Vonlane regional bus station at Legacy West

Plano residents could see a new transit option coming soon to Legacy West.

The details: At a Nov. 3 meeting, Plano Planning and Zoning commissioners approved a specific use permit for a transit station for Vonlane, a Texas-based luxury regional bus service meant for interstate travel. The station will be located on the northeast corner of Legacy Drive and Communications Parkway at the Renaissance Dallas hotel in Legacy West, according to city documents. Vonlane is a regional transportation service that provides bus routes between cities 200-250 miles apart, including connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Austin and Houston.

Zooming out: A city spokesperson confirmed the transit service is not connected to the upcoming special election, which will allow Plano residents to decide whether the city stays a member of Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Plano officials are considering other alternative transit options with the election looming, including Uber and Via.

Looking ahead: The permit is planned to go before Plano City Council for approval at its Nov. 24 meeting.

 
CI Business
Studio Pilates International offers reformer workouts in north Plano

Studio Pilates International opened Nov. 8 in Plano’s Coit Marketplace.

What they offer: The company, which was founded in 2002 in Australia, offers 40-minute classes that combine reformer Pilates with audio-visual technology.

 
On The Transportation Beat
Collin County completes, opens Outer Loop connection from Celina to McKinney

A segment of the Collin County Outer Loop connecting Celina to north of McKinney has been completed and opened to the public, according to a news release.

The specifics: The two-lane roadway created a complete connection from Dallas North Tollway in Celina to US 75 just north of McKinney. The section officially opened to the public Nov. 7. The segment of roadway completed, dubbed Segment 3C by county officials, will serve as an east-west connection that will enhance regional connectivity and relieve congestion on other major roadways, the release states.

Quote of note: “This roadway will improve mobility and reduce travel times across the fast-growing northwest corridor of Collin County. I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone who helped make this project a reality," Collin County Judge Chris Hill said in the release.

 
CI Texas
Gov. Abbott launches reelection bid, vows to end school property taxes

Gov. Greg Abbott announced his bid for a fourth gubernatorial term Nov. 9, laying out an ambitious six-pronged plan to make “out-of-control property taxes finished in Texas.”

The details: Abbott's goals include eliminating property taxes charged by public school districts, which make up the majority of an average homeowner’s property tax bill. Some conservative groups and lawmakers pushed for an end to school property taxes during recent state legislative sessions.

The governor’s plan to limit local tax increases includes:

  • Limiting annual local government spending
  • Requiring approval from two-thirds of local voters for all tax hikes
  • Allowing local residents to petition for an election to roll back tax rates
  • Requiring property appraisals to occur once every five years
  • Capping appraisal increases at 3% per year, down from 10% today
  • Asking voters to eliminate school property taxes

The other side:
 "Throughout Gov. Greg Abbott’s nearly 11-year term as Texas governor and 30-year career in Texas politics, things have only gotten worse for Texans,” Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said in a Nov. 9 statement.

 

Your local team

Michael Crouchley
Editor

Vonna Matthews
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Keep Reading

No posts found