The Grand Prairie City Council voted to adopt a new appendix to the Unified Development Code on October 20, 2025, that sets local design and amenity standards for multifamily and mixed‑use residential developments built under Senate Bill 840.

Councilmembers approved the text amendment after more than an hour of public comment both for and against the measure. The amendment—referred to at the meeting as “Appendix S”—lays out requirements for unit mix (including a higher percentage of three‑bedroom units), building materials and massing, parking and landscaping, amenity areas such as pools and trails, screening and buffers, and utility/service expectations for developments that otherwise could proceed under SB 840.

City planning staff and the Development Review Committee recommended approval, and the Planning & Zoning Commission forwarded the item to council with a unanimous recommendation. Rashad (city planning staff) told the council the appendix is intended to “encourage the continuation of high quality growth and design standards that will help preserve, and improve the characteristics of surrounding developments,” and that it follows the SB 840 setbacks and height limits while adding more detailed local standards.

Supporters urged the council to adopt Appendix S as a way to retain as much local control as possible. “By adopting Appendix S, you ensure future developments meet high expectations,” resident Rodney Anderson told the council. “Make no mistake, growth is coming whether you plan for it or not. The question is, whose rules are gonna shape it?”

Opponents said they were concerned the appendix would not stop development and instead could make some projects harder to build, while others worried the new standards did not address all issues they wanted changed in SB 840 itself. Several residents from the Grand Peninsula neighborhood said they feared multifamily projects near their area would reduce property values and asked councilmembers to pursue state‑level changes.

Councilmembers repeatedly emphasized the difference between SB 840—the state statute that enables certain multifamily development—and Appendix S, which the city crafted to add local requirements where state law allows. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem moved to approve the text amendment as presented; the motion carried. Staff and councilmembers said the appendix is intended to be defensible in court and to give the city stronger standards developers must meet if they choose to use SB 840 to build inside Grand Prairie.

The council and city staff encouraged residents who want changes to the state law to contact state legislators and noted the city will continue to pursue both local standards and coordination with other North Texas cities.

Appendix S will be codified as part of the Unified Development Code; projects that rely on SB 840 will be reviewed using the new appendix requirements. The council did not change SB 840 itself; that would require action by the Texas Legislature.