On Tuesday, the Coppell City Council proclaimed November as Cliff Long Appreciation Month in the City of Coppell and discussed Planned Development 322.
Long lived in Coppell since 1991 and spent three decades working with the community. He served on the transportation committee, Coppell ISD’s 2013 bond steering committee and is an active member of the Coppell Rotary Club. He served for three terms and started in 2012. He also transformed the Coppell Community Historical Society’s Historical Park into an official museum.
“One of the things Cliff taught me is the way you are a servant leader is you take care of the people who are actually doing the work and you take care of the staff,” Mayor Pro Tempore Don Carroll said.
The meeting continued with a public hearing that approved Planned Development 322. This deals with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s property around 750 feet north of Sandy Lake Road. The two buildings already there act as the outdoor learning center for students.
The property doubles as an ag barn for students, with the animal science, wildlife management, environmentalism and future farmers of America program allowing students to have a hands-on experience with nature.
The plan is to demolish the two buildings to create a 14,000-square foot educational barn with bathroom facilities, lab space and indoor and outdoor housing for animals. This also includes a 13,350-square foot arena to train animals and store equipment.
The current site is near a flood site, but the proposed development will elevate the building and bring it out of the flood site.
“This is a really exciting project, I’m sure, for the school district,” council member Jim Walker said.
The motion was carried.
City Manager Mike Land gave a report on the Make a Child Smile Holiday Donation Gift Program which began recently. Community members can adopt a child or family to donate items from an Amazon wishlist or donate wrapping supplies and gift cards. To be involved, community members can find more information on the city website.
Council member Biju Mathew gave a report on the Metrocrest Center Gala on Saturday. The event raises money for the Metrocrest Center’s new intense self-sufficient program intended to help families in need become independent. The Metrocrest is also monitoring the loss of the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) benefits on the community.
The Metrocrest pantry has seen more clients and has added two evening drive through events in their parking lot so families can gather food.
“The biggest challenge is the food supply,” Mathew said. “Metrocrest is raising funds to find food to fill the gaps due to loss of federal funds by the food bank system.”
The meeting ended with the council appreciating Coppell’s new Veterans Plaza, created to honor veterans. The ribbon cutting occurred earlier on Tuesday.
“This beautiful plaza stands as a lasting tribute for the generations to come,” Mathew said.
Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.
