The Denison City Council on Monday adopted a resolution creating the Preston Harbor Public Improvement District, a developer-requested financing tool intended to fund infrastructure for the northern portion of the Preston Harbor property.

City planning staff presented the petition and said the city has followed required state notice procedures. "A public improvement district is a financing mechanism for the developer to use," Mary Tate said, explaining that the petition covers the northern portion of the Preston Harbor property — approximately 1,000 acres — and that the estimated authorized improvements are capped at $300,000,000.

At a public hearing, nearby residents said they remain concerned about the scale of the proposed development and what it would mean for local roads, schools and utilities. "Where is the thoroughfare? Where's the main entry points? What is it gonna do to our roads?" Liberty Johnson, who said she lives at 152 Harbor Road within about 200 feet of the proposed boundary, told the council she had difficulty obtaining records and legible project graphics and asked whether town-hall‑style briefings or clearer contact points were available.

Another nearby resident, Shirley Mann, said she was worried about sewer capacity and placement. Council and staff responded that sewer and water lines are being extended to the property and would ultimately connect to the city’s treatment plant. Staff also said concept plans and a concept zoning ordinance are on file but that final road, lot and utility locations will not be fixed until engineering and financing are confirmed.

City staff noted that a petition-for-dissolution agreement was submitted with the application to protect the city if the PID did not proceed as planned. Tate said the petitioners intend to structure assessments so lot purchasers are notified and the market can sustain the assessments when lots are sold.

Mayor Pro Tem Teresa Adams moved to adopt the resolution creating the Preston Harbor Public Improvement District; Councilman Courtwright seconded the motion. The council voted in favor by voice and the motion carried.

Council members and staff said the PID is a financing tool only and does not obligate the city to provide funding or take on debt. Staff also noted that the larger Preston Harbor property encompasses a little over 3,000 acres, and the PID petition applies to the northern half. City staff said final engineering, road locations and utility routing will be established once the developer secures financing and the PID is used to support construction.

The council vote establishes the PID; additional project-level approvals and engineering reviews will be required before site-specific work begins.