McKinney took another step toward expanding its airport to accommodate commercial passenger service despite residents’ opposition.

On Tuesday, Planning and Zoning Commission members unanimously approved a site plan for constructing a 45,000 square-foot commercial passenger terminal at McKinney National Airport.

Final approval of the plan rests with the City Council.

The city-owned airport currently serves general aviation customers.

Mayor George Fuller and other local officials and developers have spent several years and millions of dollars promoting plans to add commercial air service.

Their latest plans call for the new commercial terminal to open in 2026 with three gates and an average of three daily departures.

In December, McKinney City Council voted unanimously to rezone 280 acres of city-owned land east of the airport to accommodate the expansion.

Last week, City Council members passed a resolution recommending that P&Z approve their site plan for constructing the commercial terminal and additional infrastructure on the property.

Councilmen Patrick Cloutier and Justin Beller voted against the resolution.

Cloutier said during the council meeting that the airport expansion is “going to happen” whether residents like it or not, but he has concerns about how the project will be financed.

The passenger terminal project will cost an estimated $72 million.

Construction is expected to begin in May 2025, if the city can find more money.

The city is reportedly still looking to fill a $14.3 million gap through state or federal funds, including Federal Aviation Administration grants and/or a local tax increment reinvestment zone dedicated to airport projects.

McKinney voters have twice rejected using property tax-funded bonds to expand the airport.

Back in 2015, voters opposed a $50 million airport bond.

In 2023, 59 percent of city voters rejected a $200 million airport expansion bond, even though a developer-funded PAC spent tens of thousands of dollars promoting the bond. With interest, the bond would have cost McKinney property taxpayers an estimated $380 million.

After the latest bond failed, the city requested and received $5.4 million in grants for the airport project from McKinney’s Economic Development and Community Development Corporations, which are each financed by a 0.5 percent local sales tax.

City officials also say they are “actively negotiating” with two airlines for passenger service.

While a city-sponsored impact study projected a commercial terminal could generate millions in tax revenue, aviation forecaster Mike Boyd reportedly called commercial aviation in McKinney “a consultant-fed pipe dream.”

At Tuesday’s P&Z meeting, two McKinney residents spoke against the airport expansion.

“Almost two years ago, a bond election for the airport failed,” Hank Johnston reminded commissioners.

“The mayor and council take the position that the citizens just didn’t want to fund it,” said Johnston. “However, they’re wrong. Most were voting against passenger service.”

“What’s the driving force? Who’s behind this?” Johnston asked. “The mayor and council and this commission are ignoring the will of the people. All efforts need to stop until McKinney holds a yes or no vote on passenger service.”

Richard Atkinson, a 20-year city resident, also reminded commissioners that McKinney voters “soundly rejected” the airport expansion and its related commercial air traffic.

“And it wasn’t merely because of the bond involved,” said Atkinson, calling that a “politically expedient interpretation” of the vote.

He said voters rejected the airport expansion because they don’t want the increased traffic, noise, or loss of McKinney’s “unique by nature” environment.

“McKinney voters do not want a mini-Chicago Midway dumped into this community just blocks from our downtown, no less,” said Atkinson. “That’s exactly what we’ll have in several years if this expansion occurs. It seems our voice and that vote have been ignored—even mocked—by McKinney leaders.”

The question this commission must answer tonight is, will you back the small, powerful, well-connected cabal that relentlessly demands this airport expansion, or will you stand with the voters of McKinney, who soundly rejected it?

Commissioners backed the airport expansion plan.

With Tuesday’s thumbs-up from P&Z, the airport plan goes back to the City Council for final consideration and approval.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for January 21. That would be the earliest opportunity for the council to hold a public hearing and vote.

A public meeting to view environmental assessment documents for the proposed airport terminal will be held January 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the new City Hall.

Project planners and city staff will be available to answer questions. The public can attend any time during the scheduled meeting hours and provide comments.

Comments about the airport expansion project can also be submitted online through January 31.

The airport will likely be a campaign issue in the upcoming city elections.

P&Z Chairman Bill Cox is running for mayor, as Fuller is term-limited out of the office. Three city council seats are also on the May ballot.

Candidates’ filing deadline is February 14.

Erin Anderson

Erin Anderson is a Senior Journalist for Texas Scorecard, reporting on state and local issues, events, and government actions that impact people in communities throughout Texas and the DFW Metroplex. A native Texan, Erin grew up in the Houston area and now lives in Collin County.

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