eConference

2025 Land Use eConference

Contains material from May 2025
2025 Land Use eConference
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The  29th Annual Land Use Conference offers high-level, detailed coverage of the key issues, strategies, challenges, tools, and opportunities facing municipalities, counties, and developers. It focuses on real-world problems with practical solutions presented by an outstanding faculty, including developers' attorneys, land use planners, local government attorneys, engineers, and state and local regulators.

2025 Highlights Include:
  • Two-part case law updates, including key developments on topics such as zoning, platting, development agreements, and vested rights.
  • A look at how case law treats nonconforming rights, the takings implications, and the requirements of SB929.
  • A look at the social and economic population trends in Texas and its effects on services, infrastructure, and natural resources.
  • A detailed case study of drone operations in urban environments, analyzing how municipalities can develop adaptive regulatory approaches that accommodate beneficial drone uses while protecting community interests.
  • An overview of the State’s recent focus on grid resiliency, the investor-owned utility electric utility resiliency programs recently approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and a discussion on how these initiatives could impact development.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 14.25 | 2.75 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • TX, CA, PA
  • TX MCLE credit expires: 4/30/2026

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1. Case Law Updates, Part 1 (May 2025)

James L. Dougherty Jr.

0.75 0.25 0.00 0.75 | 0.25 ethics
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(mp4)
48 mins
(mp3)
48 mins
Paper
(pdf)
29 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
153 pgs
Session 1 —48 mins 0.75 | 0.25 ethics
Case Law Updates, Part 1 (May 2025)

A roundup of recent land uses cases, including platting, zoning, takings, vested rights, development agreements, etc.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

James L. Dougherty Jr., Attorney at Law - Houston, TX

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2. Legislative Update: Key Land Use Bills in the 89th Texas Legislature (May 2025)

Tad Holland Cleaves

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
30 mins
(mp3)
30 mins
Slides
(pdf)
13 pgs
Session 2 —30 mins 0.50
Legislative Update: Key Land Use Bills in the 89th Texas Legislature (May 2025)

With the 89th Regular Legislative Session still in full swing, this session reviews pending bills and their implications for land use regulation. 

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Tad Holland Cleaves, Texas Municipal League - Austin, TX

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3. Power of HOAs (May 2025)

Kristi Stotts

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
27 mins
(mp3)
27 mins
Paper
(pdf)
12 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
14 pgs
Session 3 —27 mins 0.50
Power of HOAs (May 2025)

A review focusing on the power of owner's associations to regulate and maintain communities.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Kristi Stotts, Winstead PC - Austin, TX

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4. Land Use Nonconformities: Working With Them and Around Them (May 2025)

Richard G. Gertson

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
45 mins
(mp3)
45 mins
Paper
(pdf)
27 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
12 pgs
Session 4 —45 mins 0.75
Land Use Nonconformities: Working With Them and Around Them (May 2025)

Whether purposeful or unforeseen, well-intentioned zoning codes create nonconformities that must be respected while cities work toward the end goal of implementing their plans. This session looks at how case law treats nonconforming rights, the takings implications, and the notice requirements of SB929.     

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Richard G. Gertson, City of Arlington - Arlington, TX

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5. Regulatory Takings Update Including Sheetz v. El Dorado County (May 2025)

Arthur J. Anderson, Robert F. Brown

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
45 mins
(mp3)
45 mins
Paper
(pdf)
35 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
13 pgs
Session 5 —45 mins 0.75
Regulatory Takings Update Including Sheetz v. El Dorado County (May 2025)

Discussion of current state and federal case law on regulatory takings, including the US Supreme Court opinion in Sheetz v. El Dorado County.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Arthur J. Anderson, Winstead PC - Dallas, TX
Robert F. Brown, Brown & Hofmeister, L.L.P. - Richardson, TX

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6. Demographic Trends and Characteristics in Texas (May 2025)

Monica Cruz

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
46 mins
(mp3)
46 mins
Slides
(pdf)
23 pgs
Session 6 —46 mins 0.75
Demographic Trends and Characteristics in Texas (May 2025)

A presentation on the social and economic population trends in Texas and its effects on services, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Monica Cruz, Ph.D., UTSA - Texas Demographic Center - San Antonio, TX

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7. ​How Utilities Can Intentionally or Unintentionally Influence Land Use (May 2025)

Cody Faulk, Geoff Kirshbaum, Skye Masson

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
45 mins
(mp3)
45 mins
Slides
(pdf)
9 pgs
Session 7 —45 mins 0.75
​How Utilities Can Intentionally or Unintentionally Influence Land Use (May 2025)

A panel discussion with attorneys representing utilities, developers, and municipalities addressing conditions of utility service, the regulatory framework surrounding utilities on the ground and the interplay between land development inside and outside municipal limits when utility service is at play.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Cody Faulk, Spencer Fane - Austin, TX
Geoff Kirshbaum, Terrill & Waldrop - Austin, TX
Skye Masson, City of Georgetown - Georgetown, TX

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8. The Future of Water in Texas: Sustainability and Supply Challenges (May 2025)

Rogelio Rodriguez

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
42 mins
(mp3)
41 mins
Slides
(pdf)
10 pgs
Session 8 —42 mins 0.75
The Future of Water in Texas: Sustainability and Supply Challenges (May 2025)

An examination of the current water system landscape in Texas, including its challenges, and how Texas can plan for the future.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Rogelio Rodriguez, Water Finance Exchange (WFX) - San Antonio, TX

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9. Water And Development: It Should Mix if Properly Handled! (May 2025)

Adam Foster, David Malish, Edmond R. McCarthy, Jr.

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
47 mins
(mp3)
47 mins
Paper
(pdf)
14 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
3 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
30 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
6 pgs
Session 9 —47 mins 0.75
Water And Development: It Should Mix if Properly Handled! (May 2025)

Overview of water issues related to land development.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Adam Foster, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts - Austin, TX
David Malish, Murfee Engineering Co., Inc. a Consor Company - Austin, TX
Edmond R. McCarthy, Jr., McCarthy & McCarthy LLP - Austin, TX

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10. The PUC Electric Grid Resiliency Program and What It Means to Development (May 2025)

Jamie Mauldin

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
37 mins
(mp3)
37 mins
Slides
(pdf)
20 pgs
Session 10 —37 mins 0.50
The PUC Electric Grid Resiliency Program and What It Means to Development (May 2025)

An overview of the State’s recent focus on grid resiliency, the investor-owned utility electric utility resiliency programs recently approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and a discussion on how these initiatives could impact development. 

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Jamie Mauldin, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend PC - Austin, TX

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11. In or Out: How Cities and Developers Navigate the ETJ (May 2025)

Rob Killen, Paul Basaldua, Allison Bastian-Rodriguez, R. Scott Dixon, James Benjamin Griffin

1.00 0.25 0.00 1.00 | 0.25 ethics
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(mp4)
66 mins
(mp3)
66 mins
Paper
(pdf)
5 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
9 pgs
Session 11 —66 mins 1.00 | 0.25 ethics
In or Out: How Cities and Developers Navigate the ETJ (May 2025)

A panel discussion on the merits of voluntary annexation, disannexation and ETJ release under current law. This panel explores from a legal and practical standpoint the decision making, tools and negotiations that allow developers and cities to get to a win-win for proposed projects outside city limits.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Rob Killen, Killen, Griffin & Farrimond - San Antonio, TX
Paul Basaldua, Versa Terra Development - San Antonio, TX
Allison Bastian-Rodriguez, Denton Navarro Rodriguez Bernal Santee & Zech, P.C. - Harlingen, TX
R. Scott Dixon, City of Castroville - Castroville, TX
James Benjamin Griffin, Killen, Griffin & Farrimond, PLLC - San Antonio, TX

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12. At the Intersection of the First Amendment and Land Use Law (May 2025)

Galen Gatten

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
30 mins
(mp3)
30 mins
Paper
(pdf)
14 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
105 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
24 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
4 pgs
Session 12 —30 mins 0.50
At the Intersection of the First Amendment and Land Use Law (May 2025)

How to regulate solicitation in the form of an unattended donation bin. Zoning classifications versus distance buffers, and traps for the unwary regulator.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Galen Gatten, City of Arlington - Arlington, TX

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13. Case Law Updates, Part 2 (May 2025)

James L. Dougherty Jr.

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
47 mins
(mp3)
47 mins
Slides
(pdf)
106 pgs
Session 13 —47 mins 0.75
Case Law Updates, Part 2 (May 2025)

A roundup of recent land uses cases, including platting, zoning, takings, vested rights, development agreements, etc.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

James L. Dougherty Jr., Attorney at Law - Houston, TX

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14. Hot Topics in Texas Land Use Law (May 2025)

Terrence S. Welch

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
31 mins
(mp3)
31 mins
Paper
(pdf)
31 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
18 pgs
Session 14 —31 mins 0.50
Hot Topics in Texas Land Use Law (May 2025)

A wide-ranging discussion of current issues: A Dallas response to gentrification and NIMBY-ism—will it work? Does the concept “gentle density” really increase housing stock? Why have so many parking spaces disappeared in Texas cities? And our perennial topic: how are Texas courts now addressing municipal regulation of short-term rentals, and have we learned anything new? These topics and more are addressed in this presentation.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Terrence S. Welch, Brown & Hofmeister, L.L.P. - Richardson, TX

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15. Park Your Good Ideas: Revamping Urban Spaces for Smarter Parking (May 2025)

Tyler Wallach, Jay Blazek Crossley, Matthew Goebel, Ann Zadeh

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
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(mp4)
45 mins
(mp3)
45 mins
Slides
(pdf)
22 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
11 pgs
Session 15 —45 mins 0.75
Park Your Good Ideas: Revamping Urban Spaces for Smarter Parking (May 2025)

How can cities, regions, and states plan and invest in transportation systems and regulate or deregulate land use in ways that give people more freedom to afford various lifestyle options?

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Tyler Wallach, Jackson Walker - Fort Worth, TX
Jay Blazek Crossley, Farm&City - Austin, TX
Matthew Goebel, Clarion Associates - Denver, CO
Ann Zadeh, AICP, Community Design Ft. Worth - Ft. Worth, TX

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16. Who Can I Complain To? (May 2025)

Frank Javier Garza, Charles E. Zech

0.75 0.75 0.00 0.75 | 0.75 ethics
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(mp4)
43 mins
(mp3)
43 mins
Slides
(pdf)
14 pgs
Session 16 —43 mins 0.75 | 0.75 ethics
Who Can I Complain To? (May 2025)

Dealing with represented governmental entities, unrepresented governmental entities, and how to tell the difference.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Frank Javier Garza, Davidson, Troilo, Ream & Garza, P.C. - San Antonio, TX
Charles E. Zech, Denton, Navarro, Rodriguez, Bernal, Santee & Zech, P.C. - Austin, TX

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17. Thrive Together: Cultivating Wellness for You and Your Legal Team (May 2025)

Alicia Freeman, Kiele Linroth Pace

1.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 | 1.00 ethics
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(mp4)
61 mins
(mp3)
61 mins
Slides
(pdf)
21 pgs
Session 17 —61 mins 1.00 | 1.00 ethics
Thrive Together: Cultivating Wellness for You and Your Legal Team (May 2025)

Explore the essential role of burnout prevention in the legal profession and discover practical strategies to cultivate wellness for yourself and your staff. This session equips you with actionable tools for fostering a thriving, resilient legal team.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Alicia Freeman, Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program (TLAP) - Austin, TX
Kiele Linroth Pace, Pacefirm Consulting, LLC - Austin, TX

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18. Participation in Developer Construction Contracts (May 2025)

Larry Collister

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
26 mins
(mp3)
26 mins
Paper
(pdf)
8 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
8 pgs
Session 18 —26 mins 0.50
Participation in Developer Construction Contracts (May 2025)

Chapter 212, subchapter C of the Local Government Code establishes the traditional method for municipalities to financially participate in developer construction contracts. However, there are other alternative methods for municipalities to participate in developer contracts through compliance with chapter 252 of the Local Government Code or chapter 2269 of the Government Code which will be discussed.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Larry Collister, City of Ft. Worth City Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX

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19. Eyes in the Sky, Feet on the Ground: A Municipal Framework for Emerging Drone Technologies (May 2025)

Emily Bowlin

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
31 mins
(mp3)
31 mins
Paper
(pdf)
14 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
14 pgs
Session 19 —31 mins 0.50
Eyes in the Sky, Feet on the Ground: A Municipal Framework for Emerging Drone Technologies (May 2025)

As drone technology rapidly evolves, cities face unprecedented challenges in balancing innovation with public safety, privacy rights and existing land use frameworks. This presentation examines a detailed case study of drone operations in urban environments, analyzing how municipalities can develop adaptive regulatory approaches that accommodate beneficial drone uses while protecting community interests. Through examining real-world examples of commercial drone applications, from delivery services to building inspections, this presentation explores practical strategies for creating flexible yet robust land use policies that can serve as a model for addressing future technological disruptions.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Emily Bowlin, Gray Reed - Dallas, TX

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20. Platting and Infrastructure During Periods of Exponential Growth (May 2025)

Richard "Rich" McCracken

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
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(mp4)
33 mins
(mp3)
32 mins
Paper
(pdf)
7 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
28 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
1 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
9 pgs
Session 20 —33 mins 0.50
Platting and Infrastructure During Periods of Exponential Growth (May 2025)

The population growth in Texas has led to increased demands on local governments to review and approve development projects. Streamlining processes and adopting new regulations for plats and infrastructure construction by developers can provide local governments with new methods for responding to these increased demands.  

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Richard "Rich" McCracken, City Attorney's Office, City of - Fort Worth, TX

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21. Legislative Immunity (May 2025)

Bradford E. Bullock

0.75 0.50 0.00 0.75 | 0.50 ethics
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(mp4)
42 mins
(mp3)
41 mins
Slides
(pdf)
12 pgs
Session 21 —42 mins 0.75 | 0.50 ethics
Legislative Immunity (May 2025)

Legislative immunity and protection of P&Z Commissioners and City Council-members from forced testimony.

Originally presented: Apr 2025 Land Use Conference

Bradford E. Bullock, Messer Fort - Austin, TX