Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on a Request by the City of McKinney to Update, Amend and Adopt a New Version of the Engineering Design Manual that Establishes Standard Engineering Practices and Minimum Engineering Criteria for Projects Within the City of McKinney (City), Texas, and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), Including the Adoption of Reasonable Specifications Relating to the Construction of Each Street or Road Based on the Amount and Kind of Travel thereon and Adequate Drainage for Each Street or Road in a Subdivision in Accordance With Standard Engineering Practices, and Accompanying Ordinance
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2.1: Balance available resources to accommodate the growth and maintenance needs of the city.)
MEETING DATE: May 5, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Engineering Department
CONTACT: Matt Richardson, P.E., Assistant Director of Engineering
Gary Graham, P.E., PTOE, Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Ordinance
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Section 212.0021 of the Texas Local Government Code, as amended by HB 3699 from the 88th Legislature (2023), requires the governing body of a municipality to adopt reasonable specifications for streets and drainage facilities.
• While the requirement is specific to street and drainage facilities, staff has has chosen to publish a single Engineering Design Manual that covers design and construction requirements for all public infrastructure including streets, drainage, water, sewer, structures, landscaping, and environmental.
• This version of the Engineering Design Manual is largely consistent with the previous version. Significant changes in this version of the Engineering Design Manual include:
o The addition of Appendix C which includes the City’s Construction Standard Details and General Notes
o The addition of Section 1.13 for Smart Technologies which addresses Engineering Objective 2.5.1 from the FY26 Strategic Plan.
o Update turn lane requirements to consider existing driveway locations where the function, condition, or use of the driveway is being altered or modified.
o Update utility studies to be considered at locations where the proposed development land use density exceeds the previously zoned use or density.
o Update the land acquisition submittal checklist for new public easements and right-of-way deeds.
• The Director of Engineering retains the authority to grant variances to standards found with the Engineering Design Manual. Based on unique circumstances to every site, small variances are delegated to individual staff and routinely exercised. Engineering Managers, Assistant Directors, and/or the Director discuss significant variances prior to approval.
• A notice of this public hearing was published in the McKinney Courier-Gazette in accordance with state law. As of April 24, 2026, staff has received no comments in support of or opposition to this request.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• City Council previously delegated authority to the Director of Engineering to create rules and regulations for public improvements in accordance with Ordinances 2008-08-077 and 2018-04-028, as codified previously in Section 142-130 of the Subdivision Ordinance and currently in Section 301.F of the Unified Development Code.
• The Director of Engineering has authorized six revisions to the Engineering Design Manual since the previous Ordinance adoption in 2018 to address changing design and construction practices. Staff anticipates bringing future revisions to City Council on an annual basis, similar to revisions to the Unified Development Code.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A