THE HOME BUILDER
October 2024
Page Two
The HomeFront Government Affairs News and Info
David Lehde Director of Government Affairs
From Big City to Small, Dallas BA Weighs In
cilities to prevent a shortage of service. The moratorium “suspends ac- ceptance, authorization, permits and approvals necessary for residential property development consisting of the subdivision, platting, construction, reconstruction, or other alteration or improvement thereof, for residential property development within the City’s corporate limits and extrater- ritorial jurisdiction.” The essential facilities reported in the ordinance appear related to water distribution and the wastewater col- lection system. Dallas BA opposed the ordinance due to the negative impact it would have on the availability of needed housing at a time when the region continues to see growth. The Association also questioned whether Princeton had provided ad - equate evidence to justify a morato - rium based on the shortage of essential public facilities. Chapter 212.135 of the Texas Local Government Code requires that evidence cited demonstrates the extent of need beyond the estimated capacity of existing essential public facilities that is expected to result from new property development. In a letter to the City Council, Dallas BA questioned whether the evidence offered in the city’s docu - ments related to essential facilities was adequate, as it cited service demands that was well below capacity and un- presented analysis that did not appear to show the portion of capacity being used that is resulting from new prop- erty development and an extent of need beyond estimated capacity.
Dallas BA also warned that a moratorium is an open-ended action, as the city could decide to extend the moratorium after 120 days. This leaves the citizens with no guarantee of when the moratorium would conclude, pos- sibly extending the negative impact to the local economy. The moratorium includes excep- tions for ongoing projects, grand- fathered projects, and development agreement projects. The ordinance also details a process to apply for waivers during the time of the moratorium. Dallas BA members should mark their calendars for Feb. 11. Rally Day is one of the biggest grass roots advo - cacy events for the Association. Dallas BA will join other home builder association members as we go to the Texas Capitol in Austin to speak with our service area’s state represen - tatives and senators about policy that is important to the industry and state economy. Mark Your Calendars Now for Rally Day
A question we often get from our members is if they will have to speak during the meetings. Don’t worry, each meeting consists of a team of Dallas BA members captained by a member who has experience in that setting. And, as you are the expert for your field, you will easily find yourself offering helpful information. It is also a good way to both learn about the state regulatory process and enjoy networking time with other members. More details about the event and transportation are coming soon. Dallas BA members who have questions about these and other Asso- ciation advocacy matters can contact the Director of Government Affairs. We appreciate the participation of our members. “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own repu- tation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.” – Rules of Civility, No. 56 — Transcribed by a young George Washington in his school copybook.
Dallas Council Adopts Updated Comprehensive Plan The Dallas City Council on Sept. 25 adopted ForwardDallas – 2.0, the city’s comprehensive land use plan. The document is not Dallas’ actual development code but does give an idea of how the city views addressing those ordinances, and needed housing, in future. The Forward Dallas plan makes use of “placetype” categories that are proposed for updates to respond to land use concerns such as land use compat- ibilities, housing access, challenged single-use commercial corridors, and community concerns related to devel - opment patterns. As is often the case with land use plans, there are parts of ForwardDallas 2.0 that the Dallas Builders Associa- tion does not agree with. However, the aforementioned fact that it does not change any existing development or zoning ordinances means those types of discussions, and more importantly, details, would occur when such ordi- nances are up for review. There is a need to simplify those regulations, when we consider the difficulties home builders can have when maneuvering the current maze comprising over 1,100 zoning districts and categories. The city of Princeton on Sept. 23 passed a 120-day moratorium on new development projects. The city, in part, sought the moratorium on single- and multifamily development to analyze the service level of essential public fa - Dallas BA Opposes Local Moratorium
The Home Builder is published monthly by the Dallas Builders Association at 5816 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75093. Telephone 972-931-4840. BARCIE VILCHES, Editor
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