Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Officials amended Celina’s zoning ordinance to allow heavy industrial uses by permit in Celina’s nonresidential zoning districts.
The move is a response to Senate Bill 840, which makes it easier for developers to build multifamily and mixed-use developments, according to city documents.
Celina City Council unanimously approved the change at a Feb. 10 meeting.
The details
Under the new ordinance, developers can apply for a special use permit for heavy or high-risk industrial purposes in nonresidential zoning districts, including:
SB 840 defines “heavy industrial use” as zoning that allows for storage, processing or manufacturing that involves flammable or explosive materials, hazardous conditions, or offensive odors, noise, or vibrations.
In Celina, heavy and high-risk industries were previously only allowed to apply for permits in areas zoned for industrial uses or in select areas near Preston Road and the Collin County Outer Loop.
City Council reviews permit applications on a case-by-case basis, and while the new ordinance allows applications in more areas, City Council is not required to approve those applications.
Why it matters
SB 840, which went into effect Sept. 1 and applies to cities with a population greater than 150,000, gives developers the right to build mixed-use and multifamily housing in nonresidential zoning districts.
Roughly 65,000 people live in Celina, but that number is expected to grow to 125,000 people by 2030, according to data from the Celina Economic Development Corp.
City officials are also concerned that the law could be changed to include smaller cities like Celina during the next legislative session.
“It is feasible that the 2027 legislative session will make further amendments, including decreasing the minimum population,” city staff said in a report.
The law makes exceptions for land that could pose a safety hazard to residents, including areas that allow heavy industrial use.
By allowing heavy industrial use by permit in most of its zoning areas, multifamily housing will not be allowed by right in those areas if Celina is ever subject to SB 840.
