A North Texas judge has temporarily blocked efforts tied to EPIC City, a planned Muslim-centric real estate project.
Collin County’s 493rd Judicial District issued a temporary restraining order against the Double R Municipal Utility District No. 2A of Hunt and Collin Counties, as well as members of its board on Thursday.
of attempting to “evade state oversight and support the illegal East Plano Islamic Center real estate development,” through improper appointments and unlawful expansion of the district. Thursday’s ruling comes a day before the utility district’s new board was set to meet. Paxton said in a statement that the board may have taken action at the meeting that “further the scheme.”The project, now called The Meadow, is being developed by Community Capital Partners. The firm stated in county filings that the utility district would provide sewer services needed for the development to be built. Municipal utility districts are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to support infrastructure such as water, sanitary sewer, drainage and flood control for planned residential developments within a certain area.Developers front the cost, and the district issues bonds to repay the developer for the investment. Districts raise revenue through ad valorem taxes on properties within the district to repay bonds, cover maintenance and other related costs. Community Capital Partners had not yet received the necessary permission from the state environmental commission to begin construction, and Paxton accused the developer of attempting to skirt state oversight by improperly expanding the district. Paxton alleged that original board members of the Double R district resigned in favor of new directors during a September 2025 meeting. The new members then annexed roughly 400 acres where The Meadow would be built. The lawsuit alleged that new board members didn’t meet state qualifications to serve, meaning they lacked the authority to expand the district’s boundaries.Paxton’s office is contesting the district’s boundaries and wants the land tied to The Meadow development removed.The group said the district process was not improvised and issues raised in the lawsuit will be resolved on the record.“What is troubling is the manner in which sought and obtained that relief, and the basis on which he has chosen to act. ...His express reference to EPIC in official press materials confirms that this is not neutral or even-handed enforcement, but religious discrimination by the State,” the firm said.Paxton has filed two lawsuits related to the project, and Gov. Greg Abbott has directed multiple state agencies to investigate EPIC and its affiliated entities. Abbott said in a December social media post that four agencies continue to investigate the planned development.The development is expected to feature more than 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, a mosque, elderly and assisted living, apartments, clinics, retail shops, a community college and sports fields on 402 acres in Collin and Hunt counties, roughly 40 miles northeast of downtown Dallas.Dallas firm acquires Rogers Healy property management arm and other real estate newsNick is a real estate reporter for the Dallas Morning News. He previously worked as a digital investigative reporter at 11Alive, Atlanta's NBC affiliate. He's produced award-winning state politics coverage and feature reporting at Georgia newspapers. Nick is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Texas drivers feeling effects of the Iran war at the gas pumpThe average price of a gallon of gas has been steadily going up around the country since the beginning of the U.S. conflict with Iran, and North Texas drivers are feeling the effects.
Read more »
Texas Takes Action in North Texas Foster Care Following Critical FailuresDFPS appoints an outside child welfare director to oversee foster care case management in the North Texas region due to systemic failures by the current operator, EMPOWER, including tragic deaths of children and repeated failures to improve.
Read more »
How is The Dallas Morning News working to build trust in North Texas?Research shows trust in the media is at an all-time low. The Dallas Morning News wants to change that.
Read more »
Judge Halts North Texas Utility District's Actions Amidst Controversy over Islamic DevelopmentA temporary restraining order prevents a North Texas utility district's board from taking action, following allegations of illegally supporting a controversial Islamic development. The lawsuit, brought by the state's attorney general, accuses the district of assisting developers in circumventing state regulations. The ongoing legal battle involves the East Plano Islamic Center project, which has faced significant scrutiny and opposition.
Read more »
Judge Halts North Texas Utility District Over Alleged Illegal Support for Islamic DevelopmentA North Texas utility district's acting board of directors is blocked by a judge due to accusations of illegally supporting a controversial Islamic development. The restraining order follows a lawsuit from the attorney general's office, claiming the district aided developers in circumventing state regulations.
Read more »
FIFA World Cup: Croatia fever gets ready to descend upon North TexasFOX 4's Alex Boyer talked to an expert on what to expect from the 2018 runner-ups in this year's FIFA World Cup.
Read more »