Welcome to Plano City News , your weekly update
on what's happening in the City of Plano.
Plano to Deploy “Friendly Monitors” at Parks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: March 31, 2020
The City of Plano wants our residents to continue reaping the benefits of our 85 award-winning parks and nature preserves. But it’s going to take a little help and cooperation from you, our awesome community. Some North Texas cities are threatening to close their parks because people are not following the need to practice social distancing. Many of you have expressed your concerns about those among us who choose not to follow social distancing guidelines at our parks during the COVID-19 crisis. 

In an effort to keep every park open, the City will redeploy our Parks & Recreation and Library staff members to every major park in Plano. We will also send them out to our smaller neighborhood parks on a rotational basis. These “friendly monitors” will remind park patrons about the City’s emergency declaration, which recommends social distancing. The monitors will wear City of Plano shirts and will have City identification badges. 

We need a respite in these trying times. We need places like our beautiful parks where we can feel normal. We know how important it is to spend quality time outdoors when the circumstances necessitate we separate ourselves socially and physically. 

If we don’t follow the rules, we will need to restrict access. No one wants that. We are all in this together, Plano. We all need to do our part. Our hope is with your cooperation in following social distancing guidelines, we can flatten the curve of this horrific virus, while reaping the benefits of the great outdoors. 

Get updates when new services and online programs are added on the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as plano.gov .
Wait to Grocery Shop until After April 3
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Being a good neighbor this week means trying not to grocery shop until after April 3. Our neighbors who rely on Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and other food assistance programs will get their monthly allotment on April 1. Our heavily-shopped stores already present a challenge for these friends who by the nature of the programs can only purchase specific food-related items from an approved list . If you must shop, avoid purchasing items labeled as WIC-approved on grocery store shelves.
 
Having the kids home has likely already added pressure to a budget that’s always tight. If you can afford to put off shopping, please do. It’s one more way to Love Plano. 
Water Only Twice and Water Wisely
With all the recent rain, watering guidelines seem like a splash from the past but they’re back. Beginning April 1, the City of Plano asks you to water lawns and landscapes only two times a week. Avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and when rain is in the forecast.

Based on the last digit of your home address, follow this schedule: 
  • Even digit (plus zero and homeowners associations): Monday & Thursday 
  • Odd digit: Tuesday & Friday 

Though it's tempting to set the sprinkler system to automatic, it's always best to run it manually. To keep from overwatering, sign up for a friendly reminder at WaterMyYard.org . 

If you have questions about foundation watering, new landscape variances or something else water-related, find answers on the water conservation webpage . 
Gear Up for Lane Closures on the PGBT at Preston Road
In April, lanes along the President George Bush Turnpike at Preston Road will close temporarily as Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) contractor JD Abrams begins improvements to the interchange. The schedule for these nightly closures has been coordinated with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA).  

Sunday, April 5, 10 p.m.-5 a.m. - All westbound lanes of PGBT will be closed. Traffic exits onto the westbound Preston Road off-ramp, goes through the intersection and continues onto the westbound PGBT on-ramp.  

Monday, April 6, 10 p.m.-5 a.m. - All eastbound lanes of PGBT will be closed. Traffic exits onto the eastbound Preston Road off-ramp, goes through the intersection and continues onto the westbound PGBT on-ramp.  

Wednesday-Friday, April 7-10 , westbound lanes of PGBT are closed nightly.  

Sunday-Friday, April 12-17, eastbound lanes of PGBT are closed nightly. 
Planning & Zoning Commission Goes Online for You
The Monday, April 6 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting is being conducted by videoconference. The regular meeting begins at 7 p.m. The agenda posts to the P&Z Commission webpage the Friday prior to the meeting. 
 
Comment 1 of 2 ways: 
  
Watch the P&Z meeting live on: 
Happenings

Every other Wednesday 
April 1, 15, 29
Two Sessions: Noon & 4 p.m.
videoconference
 
Share ideas online on how you and others in your neighborhood have been engaging during the COVID-19 outbreak. The BEST Neighborhoods team offers best practices from around the country.


Thursday, April 2
7-8 p.m.
online

Participate 3 ways:


Stay strong and sharp with Plano Parks & Recreation . Tune in to the Facebook page @PlanoParks for your daily dose of fun with our virtual recreation center! Browse a video collection of fitness classes, art projects, how-to’s and more.


Saturday, May 30 
Plano ISD Sockwell Center 
6301 Chapel Hill Blvd.
 
Information about the application process is available on the Employment section of the webpage . 


April 1 is Census Day! Be counted, complete your 2020 Census form online. Mayors of cities across Collin County share why the census is important to our communities and why it should be important to you. Watch for your mailed invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau and watch this video to see how the counting is Shaping Plano . Special thanks to the Collin County Business Alliance for creating this video.

See how we are responding to the 2020 Census compared to the rest of the country on this interactive map .
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