Civic Glossary

Economic Development Corporation — a nonprofit entity chartered by a city to use sales-tax revenue for economic-development projects.

A Texas city with more than 5,000 residents that has adopted its own charter and has broader self-government powers than a general-law city.

Lowry Crossing is a general-law Type A city. It is NOT currently a home-rule city, so it operates under the specific powers granted by the Texas Local Government Code rather than a locally-adopted charter.

Municipal Development District — a local economic-development entity funded by a dedicated sales tax.

A local law adopted by the city council. Takes effect after adoption and any required publication.

The minimum number of members required for an official meeting — typically a simple majority. For LC’s 6-member council, that’s 4.

Texas general-law city structure for municipalities 600+ residents; governed by Local Gov’t Code Ch. 22.

Lowry Crossing operates as a Type A general-law city with a mayor plus five council members elected at-large. Powers are limited to what state law explicitly authorizes.

The outcome of a case or item — e.g., approved, denied, tabled, or continued to a future meeting.

A closed portion of a public meeting. Texas law only allows executive session for specific topics (real estate, litigation, personnel, etc.).

Public Information Request — a formal request for government records under the Texas Public Information Act.

The Texas Public Information Act (Gov’t Code Ch. 552) gives anyone the right to request public records. Agencies generally must respond “promptly” (within 10 business days) and may only withhold information under specific exceptions.

Texas Open Meetings Act — state law requiring most government meetings to be public and posted at least 72 hours in advance.

Governmental bodies must post an agenda for each meeting at least 72 hours ahead (with specific exceptions for emergencies) and deliberate in public unless the subject qualifies for executive session.

The process by which a city expands its corporate limits by adding adjacent territory.

Quasi-judicial board that hears zoning variances, special exceptions, and appeals of zoning decisions.

The city’s final approval that a new or remodeled building is safe to occupy and complies with applicable codes.

Extraterritorial Jurisdiction — unincorporated land around a city where certain subdivision and annexation rules apply.

Under Texas Local Gov’t Code §42, a city may regulate subdivision platting in the ETJ and, in some cases, annex land from it. Lowry Crossing has a small ETJ around its corporate limits.

The commission that reviews plats, zoning changes, and long-range land-use plans before the City Council acts on them.

A map showing how land is divided into lots, streets, and easements. Plats must be approved by the city before lots can be sold or built on.

A discretionary permit allowing a use that’s not normally permitted in a zoning district, with site-specific conditions attached.

Permission to deviate from a zoning standard (e.g., a reduced setback) because strict application would cause undue hardship.

“According to value” — taxes based on the appraised value of property, set by each taxing unit (city, county, school, etc.).

County Appraisal District — the independent agency that appraises property for tax purposes. Collin CAD serves all Collin County cities.

A property-tax reduction on your primary residence. Texas guarantees a $100,000 exemption for school-district taxes as of 2023.

File once with Collin CAD. The school-district homestead exemption is constitutional; cities and counties may offer additional percentage exemptions (LC does not currently offer an additional city homestead exemption).

Texas process requiring taxing units to publish proposed rates and hold hearings before adopting a rate above the no-new-revenue threshold.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — the state agency regulating water, air, and waste.

Texas Department of Transportation — builds and maintains state highways, including US 380 and FM 546.

The county’s governing body — 4 commissioners + county judge. Handles county roads, law enforcement budget, and services outside city limits.

The public school district serving Lowry Crossing. Separate elected board from the city council.