Irving council amends PUD 6, removes casino language after hours of testimony; rezoning passes 6-3

The Irving City Council voted 6-3 on March 20 to approve changes to ordinance language governing PUD 6 and to adopt a companion zoning change that reclassifies Tract A, sectors 1 and 2, from transit-oriented mixed use to high-intensity mixed use. Council members also removed explicit references to a destination resort and casino gaming from the draft amendment earlier in the day after extensive public comment and a Sands representative asked that the casino language be withdrawn.

Why it matters: The tract, part of the former Texas Stadium site, is one of the largest undeveloped parcels inside Irving. Supporters say the new zoning can enable large-scale mixed-use development and jobs; opponents warned the amendment was rushed and called for casino gambling to be put on an explicit prohibited list so the city cannot be exposed if state law changes.

Council and staff said the adopted package includes multiple procedural safeguards not in the current code. Before any large-scale project could break ground the city requires adoption of detailed development standards and a regulating plan that must be approved by council; those steps set out building standards, street sections, permitted uses and traffic, pedestrian and public-space requirements. Assistant City Manager Philip Sanders reviewed the redline changes for council at the meeting and said the removal of casino-specific permitted uses was part of the amendments under consideration.

Public comments: Seventy-six speakers were on the sign-up list and dozens used their time at the podium. Many residents, clergy and nonprofit leaders urged the council to prohibit…