Plano Commission Discusses Legislative Changes Impacting Multifamily Development Regulations

The City of Plano held a joint work session and city council meeting on July 28, 2025, to discuss significant legislative changes impacting land use regulations. The primary focus was on three key bills: Senate Bill 15, Senate Bill 840, and Senate Bill 2477, all set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Christina Day, the director of planning, opened the session by outlining the implications of these bills for the city. Senate Bill 15 allows for small lot single-family development in specific areas, while Senate Bill 840 permits multifamily and mixed-use development in all non-residential zoning districts. This represents a substantial shift in Plano's land use policy, necessitating a swift adaptation to the new regulations.

The meeting highlighted that these bills also increase the potential for litigation against cities, allowing successful litigants to recover attorney's fees. Notably, the legislation applies only to cities with populations over 100,000 in counties with populations exceeding 300,000, affecting several North Texas communities, including Frisco and McKinney.

The timeline for implementing these changes was discussed, with a special meeting scheduled for August 6 to prepare ordinances for council consideration on August 25. This timeline is crucial to ensure compliance with the new laws before their effective date.

Day emphasized the city's commitment to community outreach regarding these changes, utilizing emails, social media, and other communication channels to inform residents and encourage participation in the process. The goals outlined for adapting to the new regulations include preserving economic development, maintaining neighborhood integrity, ensuring adequate infrastructure, and promoting high-quality development.

The discussion also covered specific regulatory changes, including adjustments to height limits, density regulations, and the introduction of new design standards. The planning commission has recommended establishing new height maximums and minimums, enhancing landscaping requirements, and ensuring adequate infrastructure capacity.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the potential adoption of LEED certification standards for building sustainability, weighing the pros and cons of this approach against the International Green Construction Code. The council is tasked with deciding whether to adopt these standards and how they will apply to new developments.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the urgency of adapting to new state legislation affecting land use in Plano. The city is poised to implement necessary changes while engaging the community in the process, with further discussions and decisions expected in the coming weeks.