Irving Leaders Push Back on State Housing Rules as North Texas Infrastructure Needs Take Center Stage
IRVING, Texas - The challenges of accommodating North Texas' continued growth took center stage in Irving this week as government and business leaders gathered to discuss major infrastructure needs while state lawmakers separately examined rules limiting how cities regulate new development.
The City of Irving and North Texas Commission hosted the two-day 2026 Infrastructure Summit, bringing together public- and private-sector leaders to discuss transportation, water, energy, technology and other infrastructure investments needed across the region.
For Irving, the discussion comes as the city faces the challenges of supporting development in a community that includes major employment centers, highways, rail and transit systems and nearby DFW International Airport.
City officials argue that accommodating additional residential and commercial development requires corresponding investments in roads, water and wastewater systems, drainage and other public infrastructure.
Those concerns are also playing into an ongoing debate in Austin over Senate Bill 840, a state law that restricts how larger Texas cities regulate certain residential developments.
The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government held an interim hearing Wednesday examining implementation of SB 840 and other recently approved development legislation. A Texas House committee examined the law last month.
SB 840 applies to municipalities with populations of more than 150,000 and requires cities to allow multifamily and mixed-use residential development in many areas where local zoning previously could have prohibited it.
The legislation has created tension between developers seeking fewer local restrictions and municipal officials concerned about cities' ability to manage the effects of additional development.
During the Senate hearing, developers and builders raised concerns that some cities have responded to SB 840 by adopting additional development requirements involving building heights, amenities and other features. They argued those requirements can substantially increase construction costs.
Municipal officials have countered that cities remain responsible for infrastructure and services needed to support new developments, including streets, water and wastewater systems, drainage and parks. Cities must also address how increased development affects surrounding neighborhoods and existing taxpayers.
Irving officials are particularly concerned about the loss of local input on development decisions and are encouraging residents to contact state lawmakers about the issue.
Senate Local Government Committee Chairman Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, assigned a working group to further examine how SB 840 is being implemented and receive feedback from cities.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, will chair the group. Sens. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, and Phil King, R-Weatherford, will also serve on it.
Irving is expected to provide input to the working group as lawmakers consider whether changes are needed before the 90th Texas Legislature convenes in January.
Contact Members of the Senate Local Government Committee
Irving residents who want to share their views on SB 840 can contact members of the committee by email or telephone:
- Sen. Royce West — Royce.West@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0123
- Sen. Bryan Hughes — Bryan.Hughes@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0101
- Sen. Phil King — Phil.King@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0110
- Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Chair — Paul.Bettencourt@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0107
- Sen. Molly Cook — Molly.Cook@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0115
- Sen. Roland Gutierrez — Roland.Gutierrez@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0119
- Sen. Angela Paxton — Angela.Paxton@senate.texas.gov | 512-463-0108
Residents can also contact the Senate Committee on Local Government office at 512-463-2527. The committee is located in Room 475 of the Sam Houston Building in Austin.
