Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a License Agreement with Harvest Seed Project Foundation for Improvements to and the Use of Gray Branch Park
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
(5.1: Create affordable recreational and cultural arts activities for all ages throughout the city)
(5.3: Develop sustainable quality of life improvements within the City of McKinney)
MEETING DATE: October 6, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
CONTACT: Amy Kinkade, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mark S. Houser, City Attorney
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
* Approval of the License Agreement (Code Compliant version)
ITEM SUMMARY:
* By Resolution dated March 31, 2025, the City Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate a License Agreement for the use of a portion of Gray Branch Park by the Harvest Seed Project Foundation (as Licensee). The License Agreement was required to address and include the terms contained in the Resolution (attached). Also attached is the License Agreement representative of the culmination of those negotiations. The Licensee has accepted and agreed to all of the terms, save and except two (2) deviations.
* The Licensee has requested two (2) deviations from the McKinney Code. The first would allow for an anaerobic septic system to be allowed in lieu of code-required connections to a sewer line (extended from the structure to the nearest sewer line terminus. The second would be the allowance of parking lot lighting within the surrounding trees, rather than on code-required light poles. There is an attached alternative License Agreement which would allow/approve the requested deviations from the McKinney Code. The yellow-highlighted sections indicate the requested deviations.
* The License Agreement includes, among other things, the planting of crops, the renovation of an existing barn structure for crop planting and processing, an office, kitchen learning center, equipment storage, and a community/educational space. ...
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