Irving commission recommends denial of poker-room rezoning at Irving Mall

The Irving Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended denial of a proposed rezoning that would have permitted a membership-based poker room on the second floor of Irving Mall.

Todd Gross, representing Big State Construction, asked the commission to rezone a shaded roughly 24,000‑square‑foot portion of a 44,000‑square‑foot suite at 3751 B Irving Mall so the company could operate a private social club focused on poker. Gross said the business would open with about 125 employees and could employ more than 400 people as it ramped up, though not all at once, and that typical daily attendance would be in the “200 to 300 people” range with larger tournaments attracting more. He also described a membership model and on-site security: “We would be a membership based access. You have to be a membership of the Social Club to participate,” Gross said.

Opponents — including attorneys for Macy's and the mall — told commissioners the use is incompatible with an enclosed shopping center and would not benefit retail tenants. Jim Harris of Holland & Knight, speaking for Macy's, said the store generated nearly $1 million in local sales tax last year and that a poker room would not produce the same retail foot traffic. "This use is simply not compatible," Harris said. Joe Blizzard, representing the mall owner, also urged denial.

Other concerns presented to the commission included security, the presence of alcohol, late-night 24/7 hours and parking. The applicant said the operation would include on-site private security or off‑duty Irving police, would not have direct access to the active mall corridor and planned a demising wall to separate the suite from the remainder of the second floor. Commissioners pressed the applicant on entrances and parking; the applicant said there are multiple entrances to the proposed space and described two surface parking lots nearby that he said are rarely full.

Attorneys for the applicant urged the commission to disregard a recently adopted City Council ordinance — Ordinance 2024‑11017 — that regulates card houses, noting the poker-room application was filed before that ordinance was adopted. Opponents cited the same ordinance and Unified Development Code Section 3.21 in arguing the use should not be permitted at this location.

After extended public comment and commissioner discussion about compatibility with mall uses and the policy reasons behind the council's recent card‑house changes, Commissioner Pritchard moved to forward Zoning Case 2024358 to City Council with a recommendation for denial. The motion passed unanimously.

The case will be considered next by Irving City Council. The commission record includes written opposition letters from Macy's, the mall and the banquet‑hall tenant beneath the proposed suite. The applicant said it intends to follow up with neighboring tenants and to provide additional information ahead of any council hearing.