STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Growing
AGENDA DATE: April 23, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 2, 7
DEPARTMENT: Office of Economic Development
EXECUTIVE: Robin Bentley
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SUBJECT
Title
A resolution authorizing a waiver to the minimum public improvement district (PID) petition approval thresholds outlined in the City’s PID Policy, subject to approval by three-quarters of the City Council, for purposes of deeming petitions submitted to the City of Dallas by Ferguson Road Initiative requesting the creation of the Far East Dallas Public Improvement District (District) as sufficient, meeting the minimum requirements for creation set forth in Chapter 372 of the Local Government Code (the Act) but falling below the City’s minimum petition approval threshold for creation - Financing: This action has no cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2025, Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI), a Texas nonprofit corporation, representing owners of real property located within the boundaries of the proposed District, submitted petitions to the City of Dallas requesting the creation of the District and approval of the District’s Service Plan for a seven-year term effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2032, in accordance with Chapter 372 of the Local Government Code (the Act).
State law (the Act) requires signed petitions from owners of at least 50% of the appraised value of real property liable for assessment and at least 50% of the land area or 50% of the record owners of real property liable for assessment. The City’s PID Policy requires signed petitions from owners of at least 60% of the appraised value of real property liable for assessment and at least 60% of the land area or 60% of the record owners of real property liable for assessment.
City staff reviewed the petitions and verified that owners of record representing at least 50% of the appraised value and at least 50% of the land area of real property in the District liable for assessment had signed the petitions, thereby meeting the minimum requirements for creation set in the Act but falling below the City’s petition approval threshold. Per the City’s PID Policy, a waiver to the City’s 60% threshold criteria shall only be authorized by a vote of a three-quarters majority of the City Council.
This action requests City Council authorization of a waiver to the City’s minimum PID petition approval thresholds outlined in the City’s PID Policy for purposes of deeming a petition to create the District as sufficient. If a three-quarters majority of the City Council votes to approve a waiver to the City’s 60% threshold criteria, then the process will continue with a public hearing to be held on May 28, 2025. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council will vote to approve or deny the creation of the District.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Economic Development Committee was briefed by a memorandum regarding this matter on April 7, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
This action has no cost consideration to the City.