Includes continental breakfast.

A quick survey of recent land use cases with a review of 2017 state legislation, including key updates on state preemption, permits (enforcement), flooding and floodplains, takings, and more.

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

An analysis of the 2017 Texas statute sharply curtailing municipal decision making authority as it regards wireless “network nodes” and other facilities (including poles and cables) in public rights of way (S.B. 1004, now chapter 284 of the Local Government Code) and including discussion of municipal ordinances and design manuals allowed under the new statute.

Cathy Meyer Cunningham, Boyle & Lowry - Irving, TX
Don Knight, Dallas City Attorneys Office - Dallas, TX

Since the creation of home rule cities in Texas more than 100 years ago, the process of municipal annexation has produced dynamic cities that are among the nation’s leaders in job creation and economic growth. During the 2017 session, legislation passed that allows unincorporated subdivisions to veto the annexation plans of cities in a county with a population of more than 500,000. The bill effectively freezes the current boundaries of those cities. Will this mark the beginning of a process of urban decline that doomed cities in other states? Come find out how the new legislation affects your city.

Scott N. Houston, Texas Municipal League - Austin, TX

Development of land outside of corporate boundaries can involve jurisdictional conflicts between cities and counties. There also can be conflicts when city urban development standards are applied in a rural environment and development projects are started prior to annexation. 

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

Discuss the Supreme Court’s 2017 decision in Murr v. Wisconsin, announcing a multi-factor test for “determining the denominator;” and recent case law determining when to apply the “essential nexus” and “rough proportionality” standards pursuant to Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District.

Rachael Anne Rawlins, University of Texas School of Architecture - Austin, TX

Included in registration. 

Discuss the changing political and legislative environment in Texas, with a focus on how those changes will impact the overall public policy agenda of the State.  

Snapper Carr, Focused Advocacy, LLC - Austin, TX
Daniel Gonzalez, Texas Association of Realtors - Austin, TX

Review the legal issues associated with solicitation ordinances (including “panhandling”), the criminalization of homeless populations (“tent cities”), and the emergence of charitable bins and donation centers as constitutionally protected speech (Is this Reed, part 2?).

Chris L. Nichols, The Nichols Firm, PLLC - Houston, TX

A review of current federal court cases including Reed v. Town of Gilbert and Texas legislation related to sign regulation with an emphasis on application of the new laws to current sign ordinance drafting and enforcement including Reed v. Town of Gilbert.

Laura Mueller, Bojorquez Law Firm - Austin, TX
Materials By:
Anjali Naini, Bojorquez Law Firm, PC - Austin, TX

Join a developer, a civil engineer, and a land use attorney in a discussion on leveraging municipalities’ expectations, regulations and incentives to foster flexibility and ensure certainty for long-term development projects. 

Harry Ben Adams IV, McCombs Enterprises - San Antonio, TX
Kenneth W. Brown, Brown & Ortiz, P.C. - San Antonio, TX
Cara Tackett, Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. - San Antonio, TX

Given the financial challenges related to greenfield development and the increased movement of people back into city centers, municipalities are struggling with infill development that does not comply with current ordinances and regulations designed for suburban development. Join us for a discussion of development issues, including subdivision regulations, zoning, and storm water infrastructure deficiencies. 

Moderator:
Melinda Ramos, City of Fort Worth - Fort Worth, TX
Panelists:
Laura Voltmann, City of Fort Worth - Fort Worth, TX
Michael Brennan, Near Southside Inc - Fort Worth, TX
Justin S. Light, Pope Hardwicke Christie Schell Kelly & Taplett, L.L.P. - Fort Worth, TX

Law firms are not immune to disasters – severe weather, work place violence, medical emergencies. What is a lawyer’s ethical duty to prepare for disasters, and how can they go about it efficiently?

Paul Martin, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies - Austin, TX

Includes continental breakfast.

The way we do business has drastically changed over the last ten years. Special districts are being created to combine academic, business, creative, and technological forces to cater to a generation that works in a different environment. Hear an overview of these districts and discuss how zoning regulations are affected, what are the impacts on communities (both good and not so good), and how zoning and economic development efforts can encourage these districts.

Moderator:
William S. Dahlstrom, Jackson Walker LLP - Dallas, TX
Panelists:
E. Scott Polikov, Gateway Planning Group, Inc. - Dallas, TX
Peter G. Smith, Nichols, Jackson, Dillard, Hager & Smith L.L.P. - Dallas, TX
Mark Stein, Stein Planning LLC - Dallas, TX

Hear a discussion on the authority of counties in the ETJ, including conflicts that arise from municipal regulations and issues of county maintenance of improvements.

Russell H. Roden, Dallas County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Civil Division - Dallas, TX

From zoning to code enforcement, get a practical review of the options and limitations on dealing with houses on wheels.

Matthew C. G. Boyle, Boyle & Lowry, L.L.P. - Irving, TX

Discuss regulations, risks, strategies, and techniques for integrating existing water features into new development.

Mark McPherson, McPherson LawFirm, PC - Dallas, TX

How should a city address the removal of Confederate monuments or the political appropriateness of renaming city streets, applications for new affordable housing projects, payday lenders, alcohol sales, or pawnshops? Hear an overview of how cities around the country have attempted to achieve consensus on political hot topics in land use.

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

Included in registration. 

Like many other craft breweries, Texas Beer Company started as a backyard home brewing operation that eventually grew into a pilot brewhouse and later a distribution brewery. This growth would not have been possible without the support of the City of the Taylor and Texas Beer Company's commitment to being a long-term partner in Taylor's downtown revitalization efforts, creating jobs and tax revenue, and supporting local philanthropic causes.

Ian Davis, The Texas Beer Company - Taylor, TX
Jesse Ancira Jr., Former Mayor, City of Taylor - Taylor, TX
Materials By:
Ed Walts, The University of Texas System - Austin, TX

Consider forward-looking planning and regulatory approaches to recovery and new building after a disaster—from the legal, planning, and engineering perspectives—with a particular emphasis on minimizing private and public sector legal challenges.  

Moderator:
Kimberley Mickelson, City of Houston Legal Department - Houston, TX
Panelists:
Chad Berginnis, Association of State Floodplain Managers - Madison, WI
Jim Blackburn, Rice University - Houston, TX
Christopher D. Bowers, Miklos Law, PLLC - Farmers Branch, TX

A review of ethical issues arising from a natural disaster from an attorney whose been there, done that, and declined the T-shirt.

Thomas A. Gwosdz, City Attorney - Victoria, TX

Explore key ethical issues that arise in land use and professional conduct issues in planning and zoning. Discuss conflicts of interests with current and former clients, revolving door issues, the representations of both parties in a transaction, and what constitutes the practice of law and alternative billing arrangements.

Michael A. Shaunessy, McGinnis Lochridge - Austin, TX