Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by Emily Martin for Approval of a Historic Marker for the Property Located at 1306 N Waddill Street
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: June 4, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Rayna Alam, Historic Preservation Planner I
Cassie Bumgarner, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of this Historic Marker application
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The applicant requests approval of a Historic Marker under the HNIZ Program for the property located at 1306 N Waddill Street.
• 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 High priority building in the 2023 Historic Resources Survey.
Definition of High Priority: Contributes significantly to local history or broader historical patterns; is an outstanding or unique example of architecture, engineering or crafted design; retains a significant portion of its original character and contextual integrity; meets, in some cases, criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or is eligible for a Texas Historical Marker.
Construction and alterations to the property:
• Construction began in 1857 by James Sanford Muse and completed in 1858-59
• Heavy timber frame construction
• Mortise-and-tenon joinery with wooden pegs
• Bois d’arc foundation blocks
• Originally had full two-story wrap around verandas the completely encircled the house
• Final cost to build the home was $6,000 (approximately $2.5 million today)
History of the home and people associated with the property:
• Housed the Muse Academy from 1866-1870
• Also known as Mount Pleasant Male and Female High School
• The lower floor had four large rooms used as classrooms
• Received State historic marker in 1978
• Property stayed in the Muse family for over 80 years
• The Bomar family purchased the home in the 1970s and remodeled it, giving it the Colonial Revival appearance
• Martin family purchased the home in 2024 and began a full restoration which included adding a full width second-story porch and replacing all electrical, plumbing, and roof
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.
• To be eligible for an HNIZ Program incentive, the following minimum general requirements apply:
o The property shall be located within the HNIZ Program area.
o The property shall be owner-occupied and shall maintain a homestead exemption from the Collin Central Appraisal District for the life of the incentive period.
o Verified, eligible improvements shall have received all necessary permits and approvals, including COAs.
o The structure, accessory structures, grounds, property elements and building elements with their materials and finishes have been maintained in good repair and in operable condition.
o There are no pending code violations.
o The total ad valorem taxes owed to the city must be current and paid on time.
• The historic marker is one of the requirements for the Marker Level incentive of the HNIZ program.
• Under Ordinance #2022-03-036, if the HPAB approves the Marker, the applicant will be responsible for purchasing and displaying the Historic Marker.