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Rockwall County commissioners warn state bills could limit local land-use control
Summary
Commissioners discussed multiple bills from the 89th Texas Legislature they say would reduce county and municipal authority over land use, development standards and local enforcement, with extended debate about accessory dwelling unit (ADU) language in Senate Bill 673.
Rockwall County commissioners spent the majority of their May 27 meeting reviewing measures from the 89th Texas Legislature they say could strip local control over development and land-use rules.
Commissioner McAlet, who led the update, listed several Senate bills that have passed the Senate and moved to the House, including “Senate Bill 785,” described as relating to regulation of HUD‑coded manufactured housing; “Senate Bill 2703,” on municipal and county authority over condominiums; and “Senate Bill 2477,” on municipal regulation of conversion of office buildings to mixed‑use and multifamily occupancy. McAlet said the court opposed several of those measures and was continuing to monitor movement on the House floor.
“This session is continuing its march to strip powers away from municipalities and counties,” Commissioner Galana said during the discussion. He singled out Senate Bill 673, the bill on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and urged caution about local brackets that some legislators have described as exemptions for Rockwall County. “You may hear from your legislators that, ‘we bracketed Rockwall County out,’ and that’s a win,” Galana said. “When you read the language, we’re not really bracketed out.”
Commissioner Lichtney also criticized the ADU language and its practical effects, saying the bill as written would permit ADUs to be rented and could enable multiple rental units on a single lot if local deed restrictions or homeowners associations do not prohibit it. “This is really a bad bill,” Lichtney said. “It ensures that if that bill passes there will be ADUs in Rockwall County and very significantly, not only that, ensures that you can rent them.”
Commissioners also discussed other measures the court opposes or is tracking, including a bill they called “SB 840” (described in the meeting as removing county authority over lot sizes and setbacks) and “Senate Bill 2858” (discussed as imposing penalties on counties and municipalities that challenge developer code interpretations, including potential loss of sales tax revenue). Galana said those bills would shift power toward developers and add new civil exposure for elected officials.
Several commissioners urged constituents to contact state lawmakers before House votes occur. Lichtney asked residents to email Representative Pearson and Senator Bob Hall to oppose SB 673. “If it goes to the Senate, then send an email to Senator Bob Hall and urge him to vote against this,” she said.
Commissioners also addressed so‑called MUD (municipal utility district) reform proposals. Galana said the court had sought minimum standards for fire access, traffic studies and wastewater handling in new developments; he said many of those measures failed in Austin. He noted one bill, identified in the meeting as SB 102, that would allow the county to submit a written opinion to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) but would not require TCEQ to change an approval if a developer met the agency checklist.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the bills under consideration affect basic tools counties use to manage growth — setbacks, lot sizes, infrastructure requirements and the ability to condition development approvals. Several commissioners expressed concern that state legislation threatens local control over safety, traffic, utilities and community character.
What the court will do next: Commissioners said they plan to hold a post‑session “hot wash” or after‑action review of the county’s legislative engagement, report on how local lawmakers voted, and consider a more formal, broader legislative coordination process ahead of the next session.
Select quotes from the meeting:
- “Don’t Austin my Rockwall County,” said one commissioner summarizing opposition to policies perceived as originating in Austin and unsuited to the county’s needs. - “We are not asking for too much,” Galana said of local MUD reform requests such as requiring adequate fire access and traffic studies.
Ending: Commissioners concluded the update by agreeing to compile an after‑action report and a list of bills the court opposed, and to provide constituent guidance about legislative outcomes once final votes and signatures are known.
