Most cities build industrial parks near major highways. McKinney is building one next to a commercial airport — and the Planning & Zoning Commission moved it forward at last Tuesday’s meeting.

On October 13th, P&Z approved three zoning requests that together put about 725 acres of land east and northeast of McKinney National Airport on the path to becoming Light Industrial (I-1) territory — manufacturing, warehousing, aviation-support uses. The three parcels had been under pre-annexation agreements with the city since 2016, meaning landowners agreed to city terms in exchange for services. The ten-year clock ran out this fall, and the city exercised its option to zone and annex them.

The timing is deliberate. DTX opens for commercial service on Veterans Day — November 11 — with Avelo Airlines launching 9+ nonstop destinations. Spur 399, a new north-south freeway planned to cut through this area, is already in the pipeline. And the McKinney Economic Development Corporation owns several of the parcels directly, which tells you where this is headed: a job-generating industrial district designed to grow around the airport as the city scales up.

The three cases go to City Council on November 3rd for final annexation and zoning approval. Some of the land is in a floodplain and will need engineering work before development. But this is the foundation being laid for what McKinney’s eastern edge looks like in 20 years.
(Source: McKinney Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, October 13, 2026 — video/transcript)

A French-influenced café is now open on Louisiana Street in the heart of downtown — coffee, pastries, the kind of place you walk into at 9am and leave at noon without realizing it. A welcome addition to the corridor.
407 E. Louisiana St. · Now open · cafelafaye.com
(Source: Community Impact, October 16, 2026)

Luna Grill, a fast-casual Mediterranean chain with a location in Plano, is coming to McKinney with a new spot on S. Custer Road. Renovation is underway with a target completion of late May 2027. Mediterranean bowls, wraps, and salads — solid weekday lunch territory once it opens.
160 S. Custer Rd, Ste. 400 · Opening late May 2027 · lunagrill.com
(Source: Community Impact, October 13, 2026)

P&Z approved three Light Industrial zoning requests last Tuesday covering about 725 acres east/northeast of McKinney National Airport (see main story above). All three go to City Council on November 3rd for final action.
(Source: McKinney P&Z Commission meeting, October 13, 2026 — video/transcript)

P&Z voted 6-0 to approve the Davis Rowlett Station Apartments, a new multifamily development going in between Eldorado Parkway and Stonebridge Drive, east of Custer Road. The developer can use a decorative metal fence and evergreen screening instead of a standard masonry wall — staff said it fits the mixed-use character of the area. Retail and restaurant space is planned along Eldorado as part of the broader development.
(Source: McKinney P&Z Commission meeting, October 13, 2026 — video/transcript)

🎃 Enchanted Halloween Party at Harvest - Sat Oct 31
Harvest at the Masonic is throwing a full adults-only Halloween costume party on the third floor. Live music, themed cocktails, and a venue that photographs well in candlelight. This will sell out.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · Oct 31, 7:30PM-midnight (harvesttx.com)

Go to the Farmers Market in style with our original McKinney canvas tote bag. $9.99 OFF automatically applied at checkout to cover shipping & more.

♠ Monday Free Texas Hold’em: $150 Cash Prize
Free poker every Monday at The Brass Tap — no buy-in, $150 cash prize pool. All levels welcome. Arrive 30 minutes early for bonus chips.
The Brass Tap, 4030 W University Dr Ste 100 · 7-10PM (Free to play, $150 prize)

💃 Line Dance at the Senior Recreation Center
Weekly Monday line dance — beginner-friendly, no partner needed.
Senior Recreation Center, 1400 S. College St. · Check calendar for time (Free)

🎤 Open Mic Night at The Comedy Arena
New comics, first-timers, and veterans testing fresh material in front of a live crowd. Every show is different and you never know who’s about to be really good. Sign-up link at thecomedyarena.com/open-mic if you want the mic yourself.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St Suite 104 · Tue Oct 20, 7:30-10PM (tickets at thecomedyarena.com)

🎸 Mattie Rose at Harvest
Texas Country Singer/Songwriter from Fort Worth — raw, passionate, genuine twang. An intimate Tuesday night at the Masonic Lounge worth getting out for.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · 6:30-9:30PM (Free)

🎨 Printmaking with Mary Hannigan
Small-group printmaking session every third Wednesday — one-on-one instruction, use of the printing press, all supplies included. Caps at 4 students.
MillHouse McKinney, 610 Elm St Suite 1000 · 2-4PM ($50)

🎲 Euchre Tournament at Barro’s Pizza
Fast-paced weekly euchre — max 24 players, $5 to the pot, cash prizes for 1st and 2nd. RSVP fills early.
Barro’s Pizza, 2730 S Central Expy · 7-9PM ($5 pot)

🎸 Justin Till at Harvest
Singer/songwriter drawing from Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, and Vince Gill — writes his own material, solid Wednesday night at the Masonic Lounge.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · 6:30-9:30PM (Free)

🧵 Embroidery Exploration with Kimberly Bezenek
New embroidery technique each week over a 6-week series — traditional, sashiko, slow stitching and more. All materials included; each piece gets added to a customized tote bag over the series. Studio is upstairs (no elevator; contact Kimberly if you need assistance).
Jump Into Art Studios, 404 N Church St · Thu Oct 22, 6-7:30PM (tickets at jumpintoartstudios.com)

🎤 The Comedy Mix at The Comedy Arena
Three rotating acts — Lost In The Sauce, Girl Dinner, and The Key Changers — in one fast-paced, no-script night of live improv and stand-up. Every Thursday lineup is different. Good date night, good group outing.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St Suite 104 · 7:30PM (tickets at thecomedyarena.com)

🏃 TUPPS Run Club + Open Mic
1 or 3 mile routes, all paces welcome, dogs welcome. Live music and open mic follow the run.
TUPPS Brewery, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 6:30PM run, open mic after (Free)

🎸 Jerry Don Branch at Harvest
Classic rock and Texas blues. Keeps it simple, keeps it good.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · 7:30-9:30PM (Free)

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the North Texas Municipal Water District - NTMWD for short. Most residents have never thought about it. They should.

NTMWD was established by the Texas Legislature in 1951 to solve a problem that was becoming urgent fast: a collection of small and mid-sized North Texas cities were each trying to figure out their own water supply, and none of them had the scale or resources to do it well. The solution was a regional authority - a single entity that could build major infrastructure, negotiate with the state over water rights, and supply treated water to member cities at a cost no single city could match.

McKinney was one of the founding member cities. The district is headquartered here, at 505 E. Brown Street. Over 75 years, NTMWD has grown from a small inter-local agreement into one of the largest water providers in Texas, serving more than 2 million people across Collin, Dallas, Rockwall, and other counties. Its system includes Lake Lavon - the big lake east of McKinney that most residents drive past on US 380 - as well as Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Fork, and several others. The district also runs regional wastewater treatment and solid waste programs covering dozens of cities.

Every new subdivision, every new apartment, every new restaurant downtown relies on a water and sewer system that has been quietly expanding since 1951. The 75-year mark is a chance to recognize something most people only notice when it stops working.
(Source: ntmwd.com; NTMWD established 1951 by Texas Legislature)

Mon: 🌤️ Morning shower, then sunshine and clouds, high 76°F
Tue: ☀️ Mostly sunny and pleasant, high 80°F
Wed: 🌧️ Mostly cloudy with some morning rain and afternoon shower spots, high 81°F
Thu: 🌤️ Sun and clouds, high 81°F

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