A historic part of McKinney may soon see an exciting addition.
The McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission during its recent meeting recommended approval for the construction of a commercial outdoor area for the McKinney Flour Mill.
Located at 601 E. Louisiana St., the McKinney Flour Mill opened in 1872 and has since hosted hundreds of events, such as weddings and corporate gatherings.
The specific use permit being recommended by the commission would allow the construction of a 3,300-square-foot outdoor entertainment area with a stage, seating area, and play area. According to the permit, the proposed site is adjacent to an existing event lawn and would create 6,600 square feet of combined outdoor entertainment space.
This area is also about 250 feet from a residential area and is thus subject to McKinney’s Quiet Zone regulations, which prohibit using musical instruments, sound amplifiers, and similar devices between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
A letter of intent from James Bresnahan, manager and part-owner of McKinney Flour Mill, addressed those concerns, noting that hours of operation for this new outdoor area would be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
In his application for the permit, Bresnahan said the Mill had received many requests for an outside entertainment area, which would be used for events such as rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and private and company parties.
Bresnahan noted that the noise levels would not be disruptive to nearby residential areas and that this area would not be used outside the stated operating hours. Bresnahan also declared his intention for the property to comply with the city’s Quiet Zone regulations prohibiting noise levels above specific decibels.
The McKinney City Council will review this proposal and issue a final vote on the proposed construction at its July 18 meeting.
In nearby Dallas, obtaining a building permit is a challenge due to the sluggish turnaround times of the Development Services Department. This hinders the growth of the city, especially its small businesses, which can’t afford the costs associated with the drawn-out process.