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SPECIAL EDITION: POKER ROOMS!

Lots has been happening... here's the latest!

Have a great weekend, Cara Mendelsohn

Poker Rooms
This week a letter was sent to the Champions group DENYING their application for a Certificate of Occupancy! They have 15 days to appeal. A copy of the letter is below.

After a very thorough process to evaluate the legality of the business model proposed, the City Attorney's office has deemed it illegal as outlined by state law. The city will stand up to any legal challenges to this determination.

I am very thankful for the City Attorney's efforts, as well as the strong partnership with State Representative Shaheen, Collin County District Attorney Willis, and Dallas Police Chief Garcia.

There are many people to thank for their help and assistance as we have dealt with this for the last eight months. From within City Hall, a special thanks to all the staff in the City Attorney's office, especially First City Attorney Tammy Palamino, the City Manager, the Mayor and his staff, the Assistant City Managers over Building Inspections, Sustainable Development, Economic Development, Transportation, Code Compliance, and the District 12 staff who have helped field so many calls and set up so many meetings. Outside of city hall, the District Attorneys for Dallas, Collin and Denton all gave their time and input, many other cities that have poker rooms and don't have poker rooms gave input and advice, and legal experts on this issue within Texas and outside the state provided guidance and insight. Other elected officials that don't have a direct role in this issue, like Collin County Commissioner Webb and Collin County Judge Hill, made themselves available and provided support to our effort. It was great to see the community and residents get involved through petitions, meetings, protests, and speaking to council, and your efforts are always encouraged and appreciated!

Any other efforts to add poker rooms in the City of Dallas will also be denied, assuming they have similar business models.

The effort to add a land use in the city code to require a special use permit will continue, in case there is a business model proposed that does not violate state law. The hearing for that case will be next month and I will encourage you to sign up to speak on that item.

THANK YOU for your help to stop the poker room at the former III Forks location and throughout the city. It has taken an enormous amount of time and effort and I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you!
Need help, got a question, or want to give input?

Email: Cara.Mendelsohn@DallasCityHall.com
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036