City leaders eye rezoning the four city council districts in near future

By Brandi Hart
McKinneyUpate.com editor
Created at 10 p.m. on June 29, 2009

The four McKinney City Council districts could look a little different in coming years as city officials are discussing the idea of rezoning the districts so they better represent the city's population.

Currently District 4, which includes most of Stonebridge Ranch and areas north of US 380 and west of US 75, such as Tucker Hill and McKinney Heights, located northeast of Raytheon, has the largest amount of people and coverage area. District 1, which includes areas east of Kentucky Street to Airport Drive and to north of US 380 along the State Highway 5 corridor, to just east of McKinney High School and south, to the Collin County Regional Airport, has the lowest population.

Deputy City Manager Jim Parrish said that there has been some question about redistricting the council districts to ensure that an equal amount of the city's population is represented in each district. Parrish added that the upcoming census poses an ideal time for redistricting the council districts

The council also approved a resolution to support the 2010 United States Census. Bill Gardiner of the Dallas Regional Census Center told the council at its June 2 meeting that the city should create committees comprised of residents and city leaders to address the upcoming Census 2010. He said that the census center uses every form of media to notify the public about the census and will also work closely with public school districts to collect data. Historically, the people who have failed to respond to prior censuses are households headed by females and renters. Gardiner suggested that residents start a census awareness committee with members of parent teacher associations, Boys Scouts of America groups, church groups, and non-profit associations, and to also have census information booths at city events.

In other news, the council:

* Elected Council member at-large Pete Huff as the mayor pro tem, which means Huff will serve as mayor during council meetings or when Mayor Brian Loughmiller is not available to do so.

Council member for District 4 Ray Ricchi said in the council comment period that he received an e-mail from another council member, whom he did not name, who requested a survey be completed anonymously by council members about the Planning and Zoning retreat held in late May. Ricchi added that he would not take any part in completing any anonymous surveys as he believes in transparent and open government.

All council members attended the meeting except for Council member at-large David Brooks, who was on vacation.

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