2023 Brand Books Are Now Available 2023 Brand Books Are Now Available UDAF and WY Livestock Board Announce Brand Agreement Rescinded Emergency Order:

Pressroom Preview

Bills Reducing Residents' Ability to Influence Zoning Changes Set for March 27 Hearing

Go Back

The Texas House Land and Resource Development Committee will hear testimony on bills that reduce the ability of neighbors to influence what happens when zoning changes are requested near their property.

The Texas House Land and Resource Development Committee will hear testimony on House Bill 24 by Angelia Orr (R-District 13) and Senate Bill 844 by Bryan Hughes (R-District 1), which reduces the ability of neighbors to influence what happens when zoning changes are requested near their property.

This includes changing the protest threshold for a zoning change for residential development from 20% to 60% of property owners within the area, or within 200 feet of a rezoning subject area. If the threshold is reached, it triggers a supermajority vote by the governing body.

Current Texas law states that if owners of 20% of the property within 200 feet of a zoning change request submit written opposition, the request can only be approved by a supermajority vote of the City Council (7 out of 9 votes).

The proposed bill significantly raises the trigger threshold to 60% for zoning requests that allow “more residential development,” and if the threshold is reached it only requires a majority of Council votes for approval (5 out of 9), which is the standard level for any approval.

As the threshold of 60% opposition is very difficult to meet, the bill essentially removes any influence from neighboring properties on the vote of a zoning change for increased residential density.

Opposition over 20% in Irving typically has not exceeded 30% opposition. A threshold of 60% would effectively nullify the supermajority vote requirement, with a simple majority vote of five votes in favor required for approval.