Subject: The Download: Public Policy Alert

Policy Update - April 2025

Welcome to a special edition of The Download, TREC’s public policy newsletter. This issue includes time-sensitive developments and updates that are particularly significant for members and the commercial real estate industry. Learn more below.

DallasNow

The City of Dallas will launch 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, the department will be offline for system migration from Friday, April 25, to Monday, May 5, limiting access to department services.

Key Dates:

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 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. A dedicated hotline will be available.
April 25: Data migration begins; Posse switches to read-only mode. 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 on Thursday, April 24 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the 1st floor Annex. To register for the training session, please email Michael Williams.

TREC PAC Announces City Council Endorsements

The Real Estate Council Political Action Committee (TREC PAC) has announced its endorsement of candidates in the upcoming City Council elections.

TREC PAC selected its endorsements based on each candidate’s alignment to TREC’s vision of building a world-class, livable North Texas and their continued support for legislation that promotes long-term economic growth throughout the region.

Endorsed candidates (Incumbents identified with ‘I’) include:

· District 1 – Chad West (I)

· District 2 – Jesse Moreno (I)

· District 3 – Zarin Gracey (I)

· District 4 – Maxie Johnson

· District 5 – Jaime Resendez (I)

· District 7 – Adam Bazaldua (I)

· District 9 – Paula Blackmon (I)

· District 10 – Kathy Stewart (I)

· District 11 – Jeff Kitner

· District 12 – Cara Mendelsohn (I)

· District 13 – Gay Willis (I)

Learn more about TREC PAC’s endorsements and the process here.

General Election information: Check your sample ballot and find your polling location here. Early voting starts April 22, and election Day is Saturday, May 3.

Fee Adjustment

The Planning and Development Department recommends changing the commercial remodel fee due to an error in the 2024 comprehensive fee update formula. The current fee, set below the original fee from almost 10 years ago, caused a $13 million budget shortfall. TREC appreciates PDD staff for identifying the error, sharing it with TREC leadership, and working transparently to resolve the issue.

The new fee will be briefed to the Economic Development Committee on Monday, April 7, considered by Dallas City Council on Wednesday, April 23, and effective Sunday, June 1. Read more about the fee proposal here.

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The Real Estate Council

3100 McKinnon Street, Suite 1150 Dallas, TX 75201
214.692.3600 | recouncil.com