It is an exciting time to be in Royse City! Our community is rapidly evolving, and the latest meetings from City Council and Planning & Zoning show that we aren’t slowing down. From significant educational proposals to new dining options, here is your “insider look” at the developments shaping our market.

The ‘Early Alert’ (P&Z Focus) Residential development remains the primary driver of our local growth. The Bearpen project is moving forward with a Master Plat for Zone 1 covering a massive 225.4 acres. Additionally, preliminary plats for Bearpen Phase 2 (+/- 62.1 acres) and Phase 3 (+/- 44.95 acres) have been approved.

Other key residential alerts include:

• Anderson Crossing: A +/- 92.6-acre subdivision within the John Davis and Richard Mead Surveys is making its way through the approval process.
• Waterscape Phase 4A: A 30-day extension was recently requested for the final plat of this 44.87-acre development in the Royse City ETJ.
• City Crossing: A future residential subdivision with 42 lots is being planned south of Meadows at Morgan Creek along FM 2453.

Commercial Buzz The I-30 and SH-66 corridors are reaching a fever pitch with new businesses. Here is what is coming to our local dining and retail scene:

• Chick-fil-A: Construction is officially underway at the Royse City Summit development, with an expected opening in early summer (May or June) 2026.
• Chili’s Grill & Bar: Slated to open in mid-March 2026 at the northeast corner of I-30 and Erby Campbell Blvd.
• Pizza Ranch: The city recently approved the development plat for Lot 8D of the Erby Campbell Retail Two Addition, moving this project closer to vertical construction.
• Sweet Frog: The targeted completion date is March 15, 2026, with yogurt machines already arriving on-site.
• Latham’s Bakery: This popular spot is introducing a 65-seat bakery at 114 East Main Street.

The ‘Official Word’ (City Council Focus) The City Council has green-lit several major community and infrastructure items. A major highlight is the public hearing for a Specific Use Permit for a proposed school, college, or university situated in the James McBride and William H. Kuykendall Surveys.

Additionally, the city is prioritizing connectivity and safety:

• Authorized the schematic phase for the proposed Elm Grove Rd Bridge across Sabine Creek.
• Approved design work for various downtown streets, including Live Oak Street, which will include vital drainage improvements.
• Authorized the purchase of a new construction inspector truck to ensure all this new growth meets our city’s high standards.

Infrastructure Timeline Road and utility work are keeping pace with our population boom. Road, water, and sewer work around the new Janet Nichol Municipal Complex is starting immediately. We are also seeing utility expansion with a 16-inch transmission main along the west side of FM 2642, stretching from south of SH-66 to north of I-30. The city is also coordinating with Collin County for additional road and bridge improvements.

The Realtor’s Insight What does this mean for your property value? The combination of a potential new university or college and national anchors like Chili’s and Chick-fil-A is a “value multiplier.” These institutions bring long-term stability and high-quality jobs to the area, while the infrastructure improvements—like the Elm Grove Rd Bridge and downtown street designs—increase the “walkability” and overall desirability of our neighborhoods. As your local expert, I see these as clear indicators that Royse City is positioning itself as a premier destination in the DFW Metroplex.

Source List

• City Council Meetings: 1/13/26, 1/27/26, 2/10/26, 2/24/26, 3/10/26, 3/24/26.
• Planning & Zoning Commission: 1/8/26, 2/5/26, 3/5/2026, 3/10/26.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment: 1/21/25, 2/17/25, 4/21/25, 5/19/25, 8/18/25, 10/20/25, 12/17/25, 3/16/26.
• CDC Regular Meetings: 1/20/26, 2/17/26, 3/24/26.