COUNCIL WRAP UP COUNCIL WRAP UP
JULY 16TH, 2024
VILLAGES AT GATEWAY
City Council officially approved a resolution to grant consent for creating the Forney Municipal Management District No. 1 in Kaufman County. This district, encompassing approximately 150 acres north of Highway 80 on both sides of Gateway Blvd, will support the development of the Villages at Gateway, which will feature HEB, Target, Home Depot, and more. As part of the development strategy, this district is established to generate additional tax revenue, which will assist in covering the development costs. The creation of this district does not impose any additional tax burden on Forney residents, as it will be funded solely by the additional tax revenue generated from the development.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARKING ORDINANCE
City Council has approved an ordinance amending Chapter 12, “Traffic and Vehicles,” of the Code of Ordinances by amending Article 12.04, “Parking.” The City's Code of Ordinances currently prohibits parking certain commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks and tractor trailers, in public parking lots in nonresidential districts. This allows law enforcement to issue citations for violations in places like Walmart and the movie theater. In residential areas, commercial vehicles can't park for more than 24 hours, making enforcement a code matter that requires notice before action. The proposed ordinance explicitly bans parking commercial vehicles on public streets, lots, rights of way, and parks, with exceptions for deliveries and utility service calls.
SUBSTANDARD RESIDENCES
NORTHSIDE PARK FEASIBILITY STUDY
The City Council has approved an agreement for professional services to create a "Northside Park Master Plan & Recreation Center Feasibility Study." This study focuses on 60 acres of parkland north of U.S. Highway 80 near Reeder Rd. and Ridgecrest Road, known as the "Northside Park Property." The plan will assess the feasibility of building a recreation center in this area. The study will include two public meetings with stakeholders and sports associations to gather input, as well as presentations to the Parks and Recreation Board, City Council, and multiple staff meetings.
The City Council has approved the demolition of three substandard residential structures in Forney. On March 26, 2024, the City of Forney Building Standards Commission held public hearings and, in accordance with Article 3 of the City Code, issued demolition orders for 306 Austin St., 1252 Glendon Drive, and 405 Broad St. These structures exhibit considerable damage such as fire damage, significant structural damage, poor roof and foundation conditions, among other issues.
