eConference
2026 Land Use eConference
Contains material from Apr 2026
2026 Land Use eConference
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The 30th 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.
Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 13.25 | 1.75 ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, OK, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 4/30/2027
You must be signed in, have purchased this eConference,
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Sessions
Credit
1.
Land Use Case Updates, Part 1 (Apr 2026)
James L. Dougherty Jr.
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 36 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 133 pgs
Session 1 —45 mins 0.75
Land Use Case Updates, Part 1 (Apr 2026)
A rapid review of recent cases involving zoning, platting, takings, etc., with maps, photos, etc.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
James L. Dougherty Jr.,
Attorney at Law - Houston, TX
2.
Hot Topics in Texas Land Use Law (Apr 2026)
Terrence S. Welch
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 23 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 46 pgs
Session 2 —31 mins 0.50
Hot Topics in Texas Land Use Law (Apr 2026)
This presentation concentrates on current issues in Texas land use law, including how large cities are dealing with Senate Bill 840 from the last legislative session, how a county and the state are may be attempting to stop the development of an Islamic community, and a few quirky city ordinances from the Metroplex.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Terrence S. Welch,
Brown & Hofmeister, L.L.P. - Richardson, TX
3.
State Pre-emption of Local Land Use: Public & Private (Apr 2026)
William S. Dahlstrom, Craig Farmer, FAICP, Joseph J. Gorfida Jr.
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 16 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 18 pgs
Session 3 —46 mins 0.75
State Pre-emption of Local Land Use: Public & Private (Apr 2026)
The 89th Texas Legislature continued the State Legislature’s intervention in local land use regulation passing several bills that have significant impacts on local authority. This session provides an overview of previously approved statutes and statutes passed in the 89th Legislative Session that preempt local authority, Texas cities’ reactions to these legislative changes, and a review of what the impact has been on development since the effective dates of those recently approved statutes.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
William S. Dahlstrom,
Jackson Walker LLP - Dallas, TX
Craig Farmer, FAICP,
Municipal Planning Services, LLP - Weatherford, TX
Joseph J. Gorfida Jr.,
Nichols Jackson - Dallas, TX
4.
County Land Use Regulation: Express Authority and Practical Realities (Apr 2026)
J. Grady Randle, Misty Ventura
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 61 pgs
Session 4 —43 mins 0.75
County Land Use Regulation: Express Authority and Practical Realities (Apr 2026)
Since the 2017 and 2019 changes in annexation law and the 2023 adoption of SB 2038 allowing owners to release properties from a city's ETJ, we see more county development. Grady and Misty discuss what authority supports county land use regulation and how counties are responding to development impacts and changes in state law.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
J. Grady Randle,
Randle Law Office Ltd., L.L.P. - Houston, TX
Misty Ventura,
Shupe Ventura, PLLC - Dallas, TX
5.
Regulation and Development of Manufactured Housing Communities (Apr 2026)
Cody Faulk, Omar Izfar
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 31 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 13 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 18 pgs
Session 5 —46 mins 0.75
Regulation and Development of Manufactured Housing Communities (Apr 2026)
This presentation focuses on Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs), addressing the impact of federal regulations and state law on local zoning and land use authority over MHCs, tiny homes, and RVs. It explores balancing public interest in safety and affordability with private development, dealing with the regulatory landscape, and integrating these homes into communities, covering land use, utilities, and the evolving HUD Code's impact.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Cody Faulk,
Spencer Fane - Austin, TX
Omar Izfar,
Wilson, Cribbs + Goren, P.C. - Houston, TX
6.
Legal Issues Regarding Impact Fees (Apr 2026)
Arthur J. Anderson
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 10 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 21 pgs
Session 6 —30 mins 0.50
Legal Issues Regarding Impact Fees (Apr 2026)
This presentation addresses actual impact fee disputes between cities and developers and their resolutions. In addition the 2025 legislative amendments to the Texas Impact Fee Act will be discussed.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Arthur J. Anderson,
Winstead PC - Dallas, TX
7.
The Legislative Crystal Ball: Portents from Sessions Past & Other Realms (Apr 2026)
Tad Holland Cleaves
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Slides
(pdf)
– 31 pgs
Session 7 —31 mins 0.50
The Legislative Crystal Ball: Portents from Sessions Past & Other Realms (Apr 2026)
Texas lawmakers left a number of land use proposals on the table in 2025. Many will likely return. This session surveys land use proposals that fell short in the 2025 legislative season as well as review trends in other states that may wind their way to Texas in order to sketch a picture of the issues we should prepare for in the next legislative cycle.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Tad Holland Cleaves,
Texas Municipal League - Austin, TX
8.
Development Agreements: How to get to the Table and then to YES (Apr 2026)
Justin Pruitt, Charles E. Zech
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 8 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
– 46 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 15 pgs
Session 8 —45 mins 0.75
Development Agreements: How to get to the Table and then to YES (Apr 2026)
Development Agreements provide a way for public and private interests to be met when a city and a property owner work together to address development issues in the city’s ETJ.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Justin Pruitt,
Wilson, Cribbs + Goren, P.C. - Houston, TX
Charles E. Zech,
Denton, Navarro, Rodriguez, Bernal, Santee & Zech, P.C. - Austin, TX
9.
ETJ Opt Out – Look before you Leap! (Apr 2026)
Rob Killen
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 12 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 24 pgs
Session 9 —39 mins 0.75
ETJ Opt Out – Look before you Leap! (Apr 2026)
Changes to Texas law in 2023 now allow many landowners to voluntarily withdraw from a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, raising significant questions about leverage, negotiation, and long-term consequences. This session examines whether and when landowners should negotiate before opting out, how withdrawal affects future municipal consent, and the planning and resource implications for cities across Texas.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Rob Killen,
Killen, Griffin & Farrimond - San Antonio, TX
10.
Energy Users, Producers and Storers: Land Use Issues (Apr 2026)
Christopher Austria
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 31 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 36 pgs
Session 10 —31 mins 0.50
Energy Users, Producers and Storers: Land Use Issues (Apr 2026)
Regulatory concerns for high power usage, generation and storage.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Christopher Austria,
City of Fort Worth - Fort Worth, TX
11.
Practical Strategies for Determining Equitable Exactions (Apr 2026)
Rich McCracken
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 9 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 19 pgs
Session 11 —30 mins 0.50
Practical Strategies for Determining Equitable Exactions (Apr 2026)
Navigating state and federal exaction law can be challenging for both local governments and property owners. Implementing various strategies can facilitate resolution of disputes and allow development projects to proceed.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Rich McCracken,
City Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX
12.
ETHICS: My Opinion, My License; Is it a Business Decision? (Apr 2026)
Alan J. Bojorquez, Kimberley Mickelson
0.75
0.75
0.00
0.75 | 0.75 ethics
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Slides
(pdf)
– 21 pgs
Session 12 —45 mins 0.75 | 0.75 ethics
ETHICS: My Opinion, My License; Is it a Business Decision? (Apr 2026)
This session reviews the ethical rules and principles that lawyers must consider when advising clients on land development issues, with a hard look at situations where a client’s mileage may vary from the legal advice given, and the outcomes to the lawyer—is the matter ultimately a risk-taking analysis, where all a lawyer can do is advise the client, leaving them the business decision to make in following (or not) the lawyer’s advice.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Alan J. Bojorquez,
Bojorquez Law Firm, PC - Austin, TX
Kimberley Mickelson,
Downtown Houston+ - Houston, TX
13.
Land Use Case Updates, Part 2 (Apr 2026)
James L. Dougherty Jr.
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Session 13 —44 mins 0.75
Land Use Case Updates, Part 2 (Apr 2026)
A rapid review of recent cases involving zoning, platting, takings, etc., with maps, photos, etc.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
James L. Dougherty Jr.,
Attorney at Law - Houston, TX
14.
There’s not Enough Water: TX Water Supply and Regulatory Barriers (Apr 2026)
Natasha J. Martin, Caroline Stewart
0.75
0.00
0.00
0.75
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Slides
(pdf)
– 45 pgs
Session 14 —42 mins 0.75
There’s not Enough Water: TX Water Supply and Regulatory Barriers (Apr 2026)
Where do we get more water for urban development and the regulatory processes for obtaining it?
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Natasha J. Martin,
Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody - Austin, TX
Caroline Stewart,
City of Georgetown - Georgetown, TX
15.
Special Districts (Apr 2026)
Paul Thomas Harle, Rich McCracken
1.00
0.00
0.00
1.00
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 9 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 39 pgs
Session 15 —61 mins 1.00
Special Districts (Apr 2026)
What are we doing with these districts and how they are being used.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Paul Thomas Harle,
Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP - Austin, TX
Rich McCracken,
City Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX
16.
We Have Too Much Water: Drainage, Flooding, Flood Plain Management (Apr 2026)
Lora Naismith, Toni Rask
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Slides
(pdf)
– 20 pgs
Session 16 —28 mins 0.50
We Have Too Much Water: Drainage, Flooding, Flood Plain Management (Apr 2026)
Texas communities are growing fast, and so are the legal challenges tied to floodplain management and stormwater drainage. This presentation breaks down the key laws and regulatory framework that shape floodplain management, highlights practical strategies to navigate these rules, and walks through how to avoid common liability traps and make defensible decisions about land use and infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Lora Naismith,
Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. - Austin, TX
Toni Rask,
Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend P.C. - Austin, TX
17.
More Power Lines are Coming to Texas (Apr 2026)
Holly Vandrovec
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.50
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 6 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 13 pgs
Session 17 —30 mins 0.50
More Power Lines are Coming to Texas (Apr 2026)
The wave of electric transmission lines impacting property throughout Texas is upon us. ERCOT and the PUC have developed a plan to increase reliability to the Permian Basin and the larger grid, resulting in over $30 billion dollars of transmission infrastructure to be constructed. This requires hundreds of miles of transmission infrastructure across the state, that the PUC have sole jurisdiction over siting. A discussion on how local land use is affected, how the PUC oversees the siting, and how landowners and local governments can participate.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Holly Vandrovec,
Spencer Fane LLP - Austin, TX
18.
Ethical Obligations for Lawyers Using AI (Apr 2026)
Peter S. Vogel
1.00
1.00
0.00
1.00 | 1.00 ethics
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Paper
(pdf)
– 13 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
– 262 pgs
Session 18 —60 mins 1.00 | 1.00 ethics
Ethical Obligations for Lawyers Using AI (Apr 2026)
In 2026 all lawyers rely on some form of AI while working trials and transactions so it is imperative that all lawyers understand their ethical obligations using AI. Actually AI has been in use for more than 50 years, but not all lawyers realized that they were using Machine Learning with search engines.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Peter S. Vogel,
Vogel IT Law - Dallas, TX
19.
Ask the Experts: Your Questions Answered! (Apr 2026)
Reid Wilson, Tad Holland Cleaves, William S. Dahlstrom, James L. Dougherty Jr., Skye Masson, J. Grady Randle
1.00
0.00
0.00
1.00
Downloadable Materials
Transcript
(txt)
Session 19 —55 mins 1.00
Ask the Experts: Your Questions Answered! (Apr 2026)
Our panel of seasoned land use law experts on both side of the docket will answer your questions. Submit your questions to the Moderator Please submit your questions in advance to ConferenceQA@utcle.org. Advance submission is appreciated so the Moderator can group questions and efficiently provide responses. The Experts will remain after the presentation for one on one questions.
Originally presented: Mar 2026 Land Use Conference
Reid Wilson,
Wilson Cribbs + Goren, P.C. - Houston, TX
Tad Holland Cleaves,
Texas Municipal League - Austin, TX
William S. Dahlstrom,
Jackson Walker LLP - Dallas, TX
James L. Dougherty Jr.,
Attorney at Law - Houston, TX
Skye Masson,
City of Georgetown - Georgetown, TX
J. Grady Randle,
Randle Law Office Ltd., L.L.P. - Houston, TX