Irving commission recommends Unified Development Code changes to comply with Senate Bill 840

The City of Irving Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended that City Council approve amendments to the Unified Development Code intended to implement requirements of Senate Bill 840 (chapter 218). The commission voted unanimously to forward Ordinance Amendment 2025-264-UDC after a staff presentation and with no public comments.

Jocelyn Murphy, director of planning, told the commission the packet represents the second set of local changes prepared in response to Senate Bill 840. "So tonight is kind of the second of a 2 part set of amendments that we have prepared, in response to the senate bill 840," Murphy said, explaining the measure requires cities to allow multifamily and mixed-use in commercial and most industrial districts.

Key provisions in the draft amendment include removing the Urban Business Overlay's previous minimum density of 40 units per acre (the section will be marked "reserved" for now), clarifying that standards in section 3.13 of the Unified Development Code will apply to properties in the Urban Business Overlay except where preempted by state or federal law, and confirming that properties governed by existing site-plan zoning will continue to follow their site-plan rules in lieu of section 3.13.

The amendment also addresses transit-oriented development (TOD). Murphy said the TOD district currently has a 60-units-per-acre minimum near transit stations and staff added language prioritizing taller structures closer to stations and emphasizing walkable design with street trees and pedestrian-oriented form.

On infrastructure and administration, staff proposed moving required-improvement language from subdivision ordinance section 5.10.3 into a new adequate public facilities chapter (chapter 53) in the land development code and marking the subdivision provisions "reserved". Similarly, stormwater management and drainage rules presently in subdivision ordinance section 5.6 will be copied verbatim into the land development code so stormwater standards apply even when properties are not platted.

Murphy concluded her presentation by inviting questions; none were asked by commissioners. The Chair then opened the item for public comment; no members of the public spoke. An unidentified commissioner moved that "Ordinance amendment 2025-264-UDC" be recommended to City Council for approval; a second was recorded. The Chair called the vote and "the motion passes unanimously." The commission adjourned at 06:09 PM.

The item will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration; no hearing date was recorded in the Planning and Zoning Commission transcript.