DeSoto, Texas Development News
GatherGov Agents listens to meetings 24/7 delivering the latest real estate development updates, legislation, and news.
Development News from the latest meeting
Letitia Hughes Elected Mayor Pro Tem, Ken Waters Selected as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
The City Council elected Letitia Hughes as Mayor Pro Tem and Ken Waters as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. The election for Mayor Pro Tem involved nominations for Letitia Hughes and Crystal Chisholm, with Hughes ultimately receiving the majority vote (4-2). For the Deputy Mayor Pro Tem position, nominations included Perrette Parker and Ken Waters. The initial vote resulted in a tie for both nominees, leading to further nominations and a revote. Ken Waters was ultimately elected as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem with a 4-2 vote after the second round.
City Council Reviews 2026-2027 CDBG Action Plan, Seeks Community Input
The City Council received input on the 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan. The plan allocates approximately $260,011 from HUD for affordable housing, community, and economic development activities, primarily serving low to moderate-income residents. Key areas of focus identified through community surveys include continued housing repair, energy efficiency, accessibility, economic development with a focus on small business support and workforce training, homelessness prevention, and senior resources. The council also discussed specific allocations for home repair programs, public services like transportation assistance, and administration funding. A public hearing allowed residents to voice concerns, such as the need for entryway maintenance in non-mandatory neighborhoods. Council members engaged in a detailed discussion regarding fund expenditure, program roll-overs, and the criteria for LMI (Low to Moderate Income) area benefits, including potential expansion of funds to areas like Center Estates. Discussions also touched upon ADA compliance improvements and the possibility of creating new programs, such as an HOA entryway beautification program, under the CDBG umbrella.
Council Approves Funding for Beltline Road and Cockrell Hill Road Intersection Safety Improvements
The City Council considered allocating $200,000 for the design phase of intersection safety improvements at Beltline Road and Cockrell Hill Road. This intersection has been identified as one of the top 10 intersections with the most crashes in the city, experiencing 50 crashes over three years. The project, funded by a $1.25 million Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) grant for construction, aims to improve safety by implementing zero-offset left turns, full renovation, ADA compliance, radar detection systems, and updated pavement markings. The timeline is extensive, with design completion anticipated in October 2027 and construction starting in September 2029, due to TxDOT's involvement and project pipeline. The city will be responsible for design aspects, while TxDOT will handle construction bidding and contractor payment. Council members expressed concerns about the long timeline but acknowledged the necessity of the safety improvements.
City Council Approves $150,000 GLO Grant for Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Updates
The City Council considered accepting a $150,000 Texas General Land Office (GLO) grant to comprehensively update the city's zoning and subdivision ordinances. This initiative aims to codify existing regulations into a single development code, implement the city's 2024 comprehensive plan, and clarify future land use definitions. The project will involve extensive community engagement with residents, commissions, and boards. The grant is reimbursable, meaning the city will be reimbursed after completing work, and there is no city match required. The timeline anticipates starting procurement immediately upon approval, securing a consultant agreement in September 2026, and providing an update to the council in Q1 of fiscal year 2027. This update is expected to lead to clearer, consistent regulations, improve the development review process, and guide future development in alignment with the city's vision.
Get Weekly Development News of DeSoto
Get it now for $25/year. Stay ahead of market moving news.
From $25/year
The DeSoto News archive
Meeting - City Council Special Meeting
Meeting - City Council Special Meeting
Meeting - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Code Enforcement and Animal Control Town Hall
City Council Special Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Get it now for $25/year. Stay ahead of market moving news. Get your edge today.
GatherGov Market Intelligence
For Owners & Developers
See entitlement risk and deploy capital where there is the highest probability of return
For AEC
Win more projects by discovering opportunities before your competitors do.
Frequently Asked Questions About DeSoto ,Texas Real Estate Development
Get Weekly Development News of DeSoto, Texas | From $25/year