PRINCETON, Texas — A fast-growing North Texas city Monday extended its pause on approving any residential development projects.
The city council in Princeton in rapidly growing Collin County approved a moratorium on new residential housing projects in September “to allow the city to thoroughly assess the City’s infrastructure and public services.” The moratorium was set to last 120 days before it was extended.
At that time, city officials cited the city’s rapid growth in recent years that put a strain on public resources like water, sewage, roads and emergency services.
On Monday, the Princeton city council approved extending the moratorium for 180 days – through July 12, 2025. After that, the city council will decide whether or not to extend it again or let it expire.
“Since the issuance of the moratorium, we have been moving very rapidly through our water and utility – water, wastewater, roadway plans – allocating those,” Princeton Public Works Director Tommy Mapp said at the city council meeting Monday.
Mapp said the city is working on a project to improve pump station capacity and new water storage tank north of town that are expected to help alleviate some of the strain. Officials say they’re also working to add additional officers.
Princeton, located east of McKinney along U.S. 380 in Collin County, had a population of around 17,000 for the 2020 Census. But Census estimates last year placed Princeton’s population at just over 28,000, one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.
The moratorium in Princeton was rare, but not unprecedented. The city of Heath in Rockwall County implemented a similar 120-day moratorium in November of 2023 to address water supply shortages after months of water restrictions.