With a new state law restricting moratorium extensions, the Collin County town is racing to update ordinances and infrastructure ahead of the November deadline.

Madelyn Awalt thought she had found the perfect home for her family in Princeton, a small city 10 miles east of McKinney.

But problems started the day the family moved into the new, $285,000, house nearly four years ago. -- the dishwasher shutting off mid-cycle and appliances tripping a breaker. Awalt eventually replaced the electrical panel and wiring in the house.

Why This Story MattersFast-growing communities in North Texas are struggling to keep up with the influx of new residents. Princeton is one example of how city leaders are pausing growth to assess how to manage it.

Then came the mold, so severe she and her family spent this summer living in an extended-stay hotel, waiting three months for their home to be treated.

Awalt's family is not alone in its ordeal.

Breaking News

Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.

Or with:

Google

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

The Awalts are among the scores of residents complaining about construction and drainage problems with new homes and existing properties brought by the new developments. Her home's developer did not respond to a request for comment.

As Princeton stares down the expiration of the moratorium on new development at the end of November, city leaders are racing to complete assessments of infrastructure needs and bolster development oversight.

"They're trying to sell you a piece of the American Dream," Awalt said. "You would think that you're not trying to buy a house that isn't going to last you or a house that's going to be riddled with problems."

Princeton made national headlines in May when the U.S. Census Bureau named it the country's fastest-growing city, expanding its population by 30% in one year. The city had just under 7,000 residents in 2010. Today, it has more than 46,000, according to city estimates.

The city is decades ahead of its projected population growth. Princeton's last comprehensive plan forecasted that the city would reach 40,000 residents by 2050. The city is currently updating that plan, which was adopted six years ago.

City leaders attributed the supersonic growth to Princeton's relative affordability. The city's median home sale price stood just shy of $300,000 in July, compared to $490,000 for Collin County as a whole.

As larger cities in Collin County near their build-out, developers and buyers are increasingly turning to smaller but fast-growing cities like Princeton, which offer more affordable options, said local real estate agent Shelyna Tinglin.

But the growth has also concerned city officials.

The city first put in place a moratorium on new residential developments last September so it could assess its infrastructure and public safety needs, city officials said at the time.

That development freeze has been twice extended but is set to expire Nov. 30, as a new state law requires a two-year cool-off period before another moratorium.

"Basic infrastructure is really what drove the decision and the need to go into the moratorium," said Princeton City Council member Terrance Johnson. The city's water and roadway infrastructure, as well as public safety resources, all need bolstering, he said.

Johnson added that commercial development, especially grocery stores and retail -- which were not paused during the moratorium -- is essential to balancing Princeton's growth. Residents have to travel outside the city for necessities, adding to the area's traffic.

Since the moratorium went into effect, Princeton has begun assessment and planning for new water and road infrastructure, including a 3 million-gallon elevated storage tank, and approved hiring of additional police staff, according to a presentation at the June 23 city council meeting.

City leaders are also set to vote this month on a $153 million spending plan for the next fiscal year that includes $70.4 million for capital improvement projects around the city, as well as increasing allocations for the fire and police departments by 35% and 10%, respectively.

Princeton City Council member Cristina Todd has been spearheading an overhaul of city ordinances on development standards and procedures.

She said she has also been pushing the city to complete a stormwater assessment in response to complaints about inadequate drainage systems.

"We went from all this grass to cement. The water is now free-flowing throughout everywhere, and it impacts drainage drastically," Todd said. "Without an updated plan, that can end very badly for us."

For longtime resident Kellie Daniel, the consequences have already been devastating.

Daniel's home began flooding in 2016 after new subdivisions were built around her property, which she blames for diverting stormwater toward her property.

Daniel said she has spent close to $100,000 to add moats and drains to keep her house dry, but every heavy rain still floods her home.

"When it rains, we can't use our bathrooms, our drains, our showers, our dishwashers," Daniel said. "This whole neighborhood lives in the worst smell of sewage."

The many flood insurance claims she has could make it difficult for Daniel to sell the house, she said.

"We're just stuck," she said.

Todd, the council member, points to cases like Awalt's and Daniel's as proof that Princeton must act quickly, before the November deadline, to improve its standards and oversight of new developments. If the ordinances are not updated before the city begins approving new developments, the builders will not be bound by any future changes, she said.

Council member Johnson said he wants residents to stay optimistic but understands patience is running thin because much of the city's planning work isn't always visible from the outside.

When asked what Princeton needs most once the moratorium expires, Johnson had a ready answer.

"Prayer," he chuckled.

Staff writer Lilly Kersh contributed to this report.

The nation's fastest-growing city paused building. Is Princeton ready to reopen the gates?