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Community Impact •

North Texas Food Bank, Collin County brace for ‘empty pantries, skipped meals’ amid SNAP benefit delays

North Texas Food Bank and Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, are bracing for “a surge in need.”

Rising food costs are already causing food banks to see an increased need, according to a statement from Feeding Texas.

In addition, on Nov. 1 individuals are expected to lose assistance from SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program provides qualifying individuals and families monthly food benefits.
Community Impact •

Plano to consider special election to leave DART system

Plano City Council will consider calling a special election at a special meeting Nov. 5 that will determine if Plano will remain part of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, system, according to a city news release.

If council votes to call the election, Plano voters will decide in a May 2026 election if the city should withdraw from DART in favor of alternative transit solutions or remain with the agency.

New Plano firefighter schedule to assist with recovery, retention

A new shift schedule aimed at increasing firefighter recovery time is now in place at Plano Fire-Rescue, making the department the first all-paid fire department in Texas to adopt a “24/72” shift schedule. Plano City Council approved a contract at the Sept. 16 meeting with the Plano Firefighters’ Association that will allow firefighters to work 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off—a shift from the current 24-hours on, 48-hours off schedule.
Community Impact •

The art of rapid growth: Prosper plans $192M bond to expand roads, facilities and public safety

Prosper residents will vote this November on a $192.3 million bond aimed at funding road improvements, town facilities and public safety services to support the town’s rapid growth. Since voters approved a $210 million bond in 2020, Prosper’s population has increased by a rate of about 50%, according to data from the Prosper Economic Development Corporation.

Deputy Town Manager Bob Scott said growth required the town to accelerate the 2020 bond program to finish in six years, rather than the initially planned 10 years. As a result, town officials are expecting to run out of capacity from the 2020 bond by next year, Scott said.
Community Impact •

Plano council approves development, zoning changes due to new state laws

Plano City Council members and Planning and Zoning commissioners have held several meetings, including a July 28 joint session, to discuss the proposed development and zoning ordinance amendments. (Jacquelyn Burrer/Community Impact)

Plano City Council members and Planning and Zoning commissioners have held several meetings, including a July 28 joint session, to discuss the proposed development and zoning ordinance amendments. (Jacquelyn Burrer/Community Impact)
Community Impact •

Plano officials consider drainage rate increase, looking to address citywide erosion

Plano City Council recently approved a $1.2 million erosion rehabilitation project at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for the northeastern pedestrian bridge and main entrance pavilions. (Jacquelyn Burrer/Community Impact)

Plano City Council recently approved a $1.2 million erosion rehabilitation project at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for the northeastern pedestrian bridge and main entrance pavilions. (Jacquelyn Burrer/Community Impact)
Community Impact •

Plano raises park fees for developers in face of rising land costs rise, new state law

Plano will hold two public hearings on Aug. 6 and Aug. 25 to discuss amendments to the zoning and subdivision city ordinances ahead of SB 840 going into effect in September. (Connor Pittman/Community Impact)

Plano will hold two public hearings on Aug. 6 and Aug. 25 to discuss amendments to the zoning and subdivision city ordinances ahead of SB 840 going into effect in September. (Connor Pittman/Community Impact)
Community Impact •

San Marcos, Hays CISDs report rise in alternative school placements after pandemic, vaping law

House Bill 114, which took effect Sept. 1, 2023, mandates that students found in possession of electronic cigarettes be sent to disciplinary alternative education program, or DAEP, facilities. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

House Bill 114, which took effect Sept. 1, 2023, mandates that students found in possession of electronic cigarettes be sent to disciplinary alternative education program, or DAEP, facilities. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)
The University Star •

City council continues discussion on Cape’s Dam, approves feasability study

A new feasibility study for Cape’s Dam is moving forward, reigniting long-standing tension over the structure’s future.
Cape’s Dam, built over 150 years ago to power a watermill, has been the center of public debate for more than a decade after it sustained damage during floods in 2013 and 2015.
After the dam was damaged, its future remained uncertain as city leaders and community members spent the next decade weighing different options, leaving the structure largely untouched, except for addres...
The University Star •

City council votes to approve downtown housing complex

The San Marcos City Council voted 6-1 to approve two conditional use permit requests at its April 15 meeting for a proposed seven-story student housing complex across from the downtown H-E-B.
The permits, submitted by Illinois-based developer Next Chapter Properties, allow the building to exceed the current five-story height limit and officially designate the project as purpose-built student housing, which is housing designed, marketed or used specifically by college students.
The Planning and Z...
The University Star •

City council to vote on new student housing complex

At its April 15 meeting, the San Marcos City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed seven-story student housing apartment complex across from the downtown H-E-B after the San Marcos Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny the project on March 25.
On March 25, the commission denied two conditional use permits (CUPs) requested by the developer: one to increase the building’s height from five to seven stories and another to allow for purpose-built student housing, which is housing de...
Community Impact •

New Braunfels-area MUD proposals grow

While only a few Comal County voters will have the opportunity to vote on municipal utility district-related ballot items in the May 3 election, the decisions made will impact future residents who move into the district boundaries.

This includes Comal County MUD No. 5—a new 621-acre district north of New Braunfels. If approved, these entities would join a growing number of MUDs rapidly reshaping development in the county.

An extraterritorial jurisdiction is an unincorporated area located outside a city's boundaries. Special purpose districts like MUDs are used within an ETJ to create developments and provide utilities for residents in the area.
The University Star •

Teen’s death at Cape’s Dam ruled accidental drowning

San Marcos officials ruled on March 21 the death of 17-year-old Ross Webb Jr. as an accidental drowning, according to the case report released in a March 26 public records request. 
Ross Webb Jr. died on Nov. 9, 2024, after getting trapped underwater for approximately two minutes near Cape’s Dam in the San Marcos River, according to the report.
Ross Webb Jr. became “stuck on something under the water” while swimming near river rapids and did not return to the surface, the police report stated....
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