Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Owner Kristi Baker for Approval of a Historic Marker for the Property Located at 408 N Waddill Street
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: August 6, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Rayna Alam, Historic Preservation Planner I
Cassie Bumgarner, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED HPAB ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of the Historic Marker application.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The applicant requests approval of a Historic Marker under the HNIZ Program for the property at 408 N Waddill.
• To be eligible for a historic marker under the HNIZ program, residential properties must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the program, provide specific information with the historic marker application.
• Specifically, the applicant must provide the following with an application for a historic marker:
o A written documented history.
o Verification that the building is a minimum of 50 years of age.
o Verification that the residential property is located within the HNIZ boundary.
o Photo documentation of all four elevations using black and white or color photographs and copies of any available historic photographs.
o Legal description of the property with a location map.
o A site plan of the property shall be provided, if available.
o Additional information as deemed necessary by the Director of Planning or their designee.
• Staff has reviewed the request and has found that it meets the minimum eligibility requirements of the HINZ program for a historic marker.
The home is listed as a medium priority building in the 2023 Historic Resources Survey. Medium priority is defined as contributing significantly to local history or broader historical patterns, but alterations have diminished the resource’s integrity; is a significant example of architecture, engineering or crafted design; ius an outstanding example of a common local building form, architectural style or type; is a modern or recent landmark not old enough to be judged in a historical context.
Construction and alterations to the property:
• The King-Merritt House was constructed c. 1925 by the Loren M. King Family
• Significant remodel in 1962
o Wood siding covered with mortar molded to look like brick
o Wood framed windows replaced with aluminum windows
o South side deck enclosed
• Current owner has fully restored home to original aesthetic
o Wood siding replaced faux brick
o 6-over-6 wood sash windows installed
o Arched door installed
History of the home and people associated with the property:
• The initial owners and builders of the home were the Loren M King family.
• James O. Wilkes was hired to build the house and paid $5,000 for it.
• Loren M King was Vice President of the King Grocery Company.
• King sold house to his brother-in-law Judge Eber W Merritt in 1929.
• Judge Merritt purchased the vacant lot behind his which created a double lot.
• Judge Merritt died in 1943 and 3 years later, his widow sold the property to Charles M. Cooper, Jr which was the manager of J.C. Penney.
• Cooper family sold the house to Tully B Mills who then sold it to George Blackwell in 1958.
• George Blackwell and his wife lived in the house until George died in 2003. His wife continued to live in the house until selling it in 2022.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone (HNIZ) Program was established in 2008 for the purpose of preserving the city’s unique and historic neighborhoods while encouraging property owners to maintain and/or rehabilitate residential properties and structures.
The HNIZ Program includes a three-tiered incentive structure whereby residential properties that meet specified criteria are eligible to receive ad valorem tax exemptions on city taxes for a designated period.