The City of McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 14 approved design exceptions to a site plan for a proposed new terminal at McKinney National Airport, allowing the project to reduce required street‑buffer and parking canopy trees because of safety concerns related to wildlife and aircraft operations.

Staff planner Jake Bennett told the commission the site is included in the airport master plan and that the unified development code permits exceptions on the air‑side perimeter; staff recommended approval after the applicant worked with the city’s urban forester and proposed additional landscaping features and preservation of existing trees where feasible.

The request drew multiple public comments opposed to airport expansion. Opponents told the commission the broader question of passenger service and a related bond previously failed at the ballot and that city leaders are moving forward without a clear public mandate.

“The mayor and council...are ignoring the will of the people. All efforts need to stop until McKinney holds a yes or no vote on passenger service,” Hank Johnston said during public comment. Richard Atkinson added, “McKinney voters soundly rejected this airport expansion...voters do not want the increased traffic, the increased noise, or the loss of much of McKinney’s ‘unique by nature’ environment.”

Resident Catherine Hufsettler asked about projected daily flights and property‑value impacts in nearby communities. Mitchell McAnally, senior project manager for Garver and the applicant’s presenter, said initial service could be “anywhere from 3 flights a day to 5 flights a day initially up to 7 to 10 flights a day,” and added that “the airlines ultimately dictate what that looks like.” Jake Bennett said the environmental assessment and noise analysis are being presented at a public meeting and are available online.

Bennett told commissioners the applicant has proposed berms, shrubs and seasonal plantings along FM 546 and inside parking terminus islands instead of canopy trees, citing canopy trees’ potential to attract birds near the runway. He also noted that some future development phases indicated in the airport master plan could remove landscaped areas proposed now.

The commission voted 7‑0 to approve the design exceptions for agenda item 24‑0082 SP2, directing staff to notify the applicant of the approval. Bennett also informed the commission that the City Council had adopted a resolution supporting the site plan and requested design exceptions at its recent meeting.

Why it matters: The commission’s approval clears a key local land‑use review step for a terminal that proponents say aligns with the airport master plan and safety guidance; opponents warned the change could lead to increased flights, noise and a loss of community character if passenger service expands.

Next steps: The project will continue through the airport’s master‑plan processes and federal/state reviews as required; staff noted an environmental assessment public meeting is scheduled to present air and noise analysis to the public.