City

The City of McKinney is focused on green projects and initiatives that will preserve and improve the quality of life for all of McKinney’s citizens.

Renewable Energy
The city and NTMWD partnered to create a Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project where methane gas produced by the McKinney Landfill is captured and may be used as a renewable energy source for local industry.

Energy Efficiency
The city requires compliance with minimum building code requirements as outlined in the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.

Waste Minimization
Through ordinance, the city requires new construction projects to divert 50-75% of the waste away form local landfills, hence creating a Construction & Demolitions Materials Diversion Program.

McKinney requires new developments and structures have onsite recycling areas through the establishment of a Multi-Family & Commercial Recycling Program.

Recycling Initiatives
The City has established one day per week residential curbside collection for the following programs: Single-Steam Recycling, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), Electronic (E-Waste) Waste Recycling and Yard “Green” Waste Recycling.

o IESI has proposed the development of a larger, fully automated, LEED certified, “Green” materials recovery facility (MRF) for the processing of commingled residential and commercial recyclable materials. This proposed facility will service the city through build out.

All city government offices participate in office paper, aluminum can and plastic bottle recycling through a partnership with North Collin County Habitat for Humanity.

To learn more about IESI’s recycling and other programs, click here

Green Building
o The city partners with private developers to provide flexible standards when legitimate “green building” standards such as LEED building standards are being sought by the builder.

Urban Planning
o The City is an area leader in urban planning for “best practices” land planning:

o The REC area, for example, is one of the largest neo-traditional/new urban regions in the Nation (4,000 acres) anchored with the master planned Craig Ranch mixed use Town Center and the Cooper Life wellness residential community.

o Another example includes the Hike & Bike Trail Master Plan which has been developed concurrently with the community and continues to be refined and upgraded.

Parks & Green Space Access
o The City of McKinney has a long tradition of parks planning through the Comprehensive Plan. Implementation of this plan includes both public and private participation, and our parks system includes a balance of active, passive, community, neighborhood and linear parks.

o The city establishes neighborhood parks adjacent to elementary schools in suburban areas. The Wilson Creek greenway and the Trinity River/Honey Creek greenways are planned for green space access running through the city from northwest to southeast in two fingers.

Habitat Restoration & Tree Canopy
o The city has established ordinances for tree preservation and landscaping and is recognized as a Tree City USA member, the premier national urban forestry program.

Habitat Protection & Wildlife
o The City has established linear parks along major drainage areas and has made significant progress in acquiring meaningful riparian corridors in advance of development. These areas are the primary wetlands and wildlife habitats in the McKinney area. The city also works closely with the Heard Nature Center whose mission is to preserve natural habitats and educate the public on proper stewardship of the land.

o Wilson Creek, Trinity River, and Honey Creek floodplains are being planned for public acquisition and control to provide green corridors for hiking, biking and wildlife.

Clean Vehicles
o The city purchases unleaded fuel blended with 10% ethanol to reduce air emissions and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel with decreased sulfur content as mandated by the EPA. Since 2006, the City has purchased E-85 compliant (85% ethanol) gasoline engines and reduced sulfur emission diesel engines that comply with the EPA 2010 mandate. The City is gearing up to join NCTCOG and RTC in the Clean Fleet Vehicle Initiative.

Reducing Traffic Congestion
o The Hike & Bike Trail Master Plan is designed to provide hike and bike trails from elementary schools and parks to the major creek and river corridors in the city.

o McKinney has worked closely with TXDOT and NCTCOG to encourage traffic congestion mitigation. Additionally, the city is looking at creative ways to better plan pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to work places, schools and between neighborhoods. Examples include Intelligent Transportation System Program and the Hike & Bike Trail Program.

Air Quality
o The City has worked closely with NCTCOG to improve air quality in the region. Examples include our Intelligent Transportation System Program and the REC neo-traditional/new urban district that is designed to reduce vehicle trips between home, work, shopping and recreation.

Water Access, Efficiency & Conservation
o The City has established Landscape Water Management Regulations to provide a consistent mechanism for preventing the unnecessary use and subsequent waste of water resources supplied by the City of McKinney.

Water Source Conservation
o The city has established a Healthy Lakes & Streams Project aimed at reducing sediment in lakes and streams.

o The City of McKinney collaborates with NTMWD on the East Fork Reuse Project to build man made wetlands which will allow natural filtration to further cleanse raw water from the Trinity River.

Waste Water Reduction
o NTMWD currently recycles 50% of wastewater treated from the City of McKinney and other member and customer cities.