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The Real Estate Council is
actively monitoring issues at the state and local level that impact
the commercial real estate industry and our partners. Our mission is
to build a better city – and public policy is an essential component
of that vision.
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On February 25-26, TREC
PAC members traveled to Austin for the Biennial Real Estate Councils
of Texas Lobby Day, engaging directly with North Texas legislators to
advocate for key commercial real estate priorities. In partnership
with the RECsTX, TREC PAC co-hosted a Legislative Reception before
meeting the following day with lawmakers to discuss economic
development, land use, transportation, and housing policy.
Members gained valuable advocacy experience, strengthened key
relationships, and helped shape policies impacting Dallas’ commercial
real estate market. This exclusive opportunity showcased the power of
TREC PAC membership in advancing the industry’s priorities. Special thanks to Jackson Walker for sponsoring this important
initiative.
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89th Texas Legislature
Friday, March 14, was
the deadline for Texas legislators to file new bills, so we know the
universe of bills for this session. TREC has been actively monitoring
legislation that could impact the commercial real estate industry
since bill filing began in November. Here are several bills TREC has
been tracking:
- HB 23 - Third-Party Inspections
- HB 2937 - Traveling HFC Reforms
- HB 21 - HFC Reform
- SB 840 - Commercial to Residential
Zoning for Mixed Use and Multifamily Development
- HB 15 - Reducing Minimum Lot Size
- SB 844/HB24 - Reducing the Petition
Threshold in Zoning Cases
DallasNow Launch
The City of Dallas is launching DallasNow
(Accela),
its new land management system, on May 5, 2025, replacing Posse. This
platform streamlines permitting, planning, engineering, and
enforcement for greater efficiency and transparency.
To ensure a smooth transition, Posse will enter read-only mode after
April 25. From April 25 to May 5, the
department and DallasNow (Accela) will
be offline for system migration, limiting access to permitting,
planning, engineering, and enforcement services. The Department of
Planning and Development will offer extended hours April 14-25 to
accommodate development needs.
Launch Timeline:
- March 1: DallasNow Hub launches with
updates, training, and stakeholder engagement.
- March 10 - April 18: Training sessions for
city staff and external users.
- April 14 - 25: Extended office
hours: Monday–Friday, 7 AM–7 PM, and Saturdays, 8 AM–12 PM. A
dedicated hotline will be available.
- April 25: Data migration begins;
Posse switches to read-only mode. Certain city departments will
have limited services or temporary closures from April 25 to May
5.
- May 5: DallasNow goes live.
TREC will host a
DallasNow training session with city staff—stay tuned for details.
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Dallas City Council Elections
TREC PAC members
interviewed candidates for Dallas City Council races in February and
early March and will make their candidate recommendations to the PAC
Board on March 27. The TREC PAC Board will review their
recommendations, and final endorsements will be released by April 1.
You can view the full list of candidates here.
April 3 is the last day to register to vote in the joint election,
and you can view your sample ballot, and find your polling location
here.
Early voting starts on April 22, and Election Day is Saturday, May
3.
Parking Reform
The City Plan
Commission (CPC) continues its discussion about the off-street parking code
amendment
in Chapter 51A. Initially approved by ZOAC in January 2024 and
reviewed by CPC beginning in December, CPC is vetting a compromise
that reduces — rather than fully eliminates — parking requirements in
single-family zoning, multifamily zoning, and within bar/restaurant
uses more than 2,500 sq. ft. Other key changes include eliminating
minimums for transit-oriented development, downtown, office,
industrial, and historic buildings, adding minimum loading
requirements for multifamily developments, and excluding the Lower
Greenville neighborhood from proposed changes. On March 3, TREC sent
additional feedback to the CPC; you can read the letter here.
The CPC is expected to take a final vote on the entire proposal on
March 20 and advance the conversation forward to Council.
Park Land Dedication Ordinance
The City Plan
Commission approved a draft park land dedication
ordinance on February 13. The proposal brings Dallas’ policy
into line with changes made by the Texas Legislature in 2023 by
consolidating the prior fee structure, excluding affordable units
from the fee calculation, and tying the new fee to Area Median Family
Income (AMFI). TREC continues to advocate for clear, predictable
policies as the ordinance moves to the Parks, Trails &
Environment Committee and Council consideration.
City Meetings
View upcoming city
meetings here.
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PAC Fundraiser - A Fireside Chat with Ross Perot Jr.
and Mayor Mike Rawlings
Register Here
TREC PAC members are
invited to attend an exclusive fireside chat with Ross Perot Jr.
and former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings at Hillwood’s Turtle Creek headquarters
and Perot Family Museum.
This intimate gathering offers a special opportunity to connect with
Dallas’s leading business and political figures while advancing TREC
PAC’s efforts to support candidates who align with TREC’s mission and
policy advocacy.
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Date:
Monday, April 14
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Time:
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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Location:
Hillwood Headquarters, 3000 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
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Minimum
Additional Contribution:
$250 (Personal funds only) PAC Trustees receive a
complimentary ticket.
·
Registration
closes Friday, April 4 and tickets will not be sold at the door.
Proceeds from this
event directly support TREC PAC’s advocacy efforts on key real
estate issues, including property tax reform, land use, parking
regulations, and development incentives.
Space is limited, register now
to secure your place!
Join TREC PAC
State and local
officials influence commercial real estate through zoning,
permitting, and tax policy. TREC needs your support to elect
candidates who back sound policies. Champion-level (and above) TREC
PAC members enjoy exclusive benefits, including attending the 90th
Texas Legislature RECsTX Lobby Day, interviewing Dallas City Council
candidates, and voting on endorsements and contributions. Join TREC PAC today to help shape
our industry.
Path to Civic Leadership: Navigating Dallas Boards and
Commissions
Looking for ways to
engage civically and make an impact in Dallas? The city has over 50
boards and commissions that influence policies on zoning, housing,
economic development, transportation, and more. These groups play a
vital role in shaping the future of our community—but navigating the
application process and finding the right fit can be challenging.
Join us for an
exclusive event designed to help you understand how Dallas boards and
commissions work, what vacancies are available, the experience of
appointees, and how to successfully apply. Our panel of experts—who
serve in key roles—will share their experiences and provide guidance
on stepping into civic leadership.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
- Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 p.m. CDT
- Location: Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
- Address: 500 N Akard St, Suite 4000, Dallas,
TX
Panelists:
- Moderator - Angela Hunt, Shareholder, Munsch Hardt Kopf
& Harr, P.C. – Former Dallas City Councilmember
- Marcy Helfand, President, Marcy C. Helfand P.C. –
Housing Finance Corporation Board
- Todd Howard, Executive Vice President, Kirksey
Architecture – Community Development Commission
- Neal Sleeper, President, Cityplace Co. – City
Plan and Zoning Commission
Don’t miss this chance
to learn how to engage in local governance and make a real difference
in Dallas! You can register here.
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Thursday, April 3, 2025
| Public Policy Committee Meeting, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Monday, April 14, 2025
| TREC PAC Fundraiser: A Conversation with Ross Perot Jr., Moderated
by Mayor Mike Rawlings.
Thursday, April 17,
2025 | Path to Civic
Leadership: Navigating Dallas Boards and Commissions
Thursday, May 15, 2025
| Bank of Texas Speaker
Series: A Conversation with Dallas City Manager, Kim Bizor Tolbert.
View all upcoming
events here.
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Manage Your Preferences
The
Real Estate Council
3100 McKinnon Street, Suite 1150 Dallas, TX 75201
214.692.3600 | recouncil.com
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