Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened the East Plano Islamic Center and affiliated entities with 性视界传媒渢he full weight of the law性视界传媒 if they begin or refuse to stop construction on the planned EPIC City development 性视界传媒 even though developers have submitted no project plans and the dirt remains unmoved.
Abbott said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that the mosque and Community Capital Partners LP have filed no applications or documents with the state agency. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is tasked with the regulatory oversight of environmental impacts from residential and commercial developments.
Construction may not begin until proper authorizations and permits have been granted, Abbott said.
性视界传媒淭hey must confirm within seven days that they are immediately ceasing any construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law. The State of Texas will enforce its laws and protect our communities from unlawful actions or threats posed by EPIC or its affiliates,性视界传媒 Abbott said.
Community Capital Partners, formed by some members of the East Plano Islamic Center, hopes to build 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.
The agency said EPIC and Community Capital Partners must confirm within seven days that the groups 性视界传媒渉ave not and will not engage in any construction or pre-construction activities in violation of state law.性视界传媒
性视界传媒淎s EPIC appears to have acknowledged, EPIC City is required to obtain multiple authorizations and permits from TCEQ prior to any development or construction,性视界传媒 the agency wrote in a letter sent to the president of CCP and the president of EPIC性视界传媒檚 board.
性视界传媒淒espite these extensive permitting obligations, TCEQ has not received any applications or documents supporting the creation of this large-scale, standalone 性视界传媒榗ity性视界传媒 in the location identified by EPIC and CCP,性视界传媒 the TCEQ wrote. 性视界传媒淭his letter, therefore, serves as notice that any construction or development in furtherance of EPIC City without requisite TCEQ approval is in violation of state law and should be halted immediately.性视界传媒
Representatives for the East Plano Islamic Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A representative for Abbott性视界传媒檚 office did not share additional information.
Representatives for the EPIC City project said Tuesday that the project is still in the planning phase.
性视界传媒淣o permit applications or paperwork have been filed and no construction has started,性视界传媒 said Erin Ragsdale, a spokesperson for the development. 性视界传媒淎s we said back in February, CCP extends an open invitation to Gov. Abbott. We would appreciate the opportunity to give him an overview of the project, show him the site and answer his questions. We believe an open dialogue could save taxpayer resources, and foster a relationship of transparency and collaboration.性视界传媒
David Kalhoefer, a senior planner with engineering firm Westwood, told Collin County commissioners at a public hearing on Monday that a development application for EPIC City hasn性视界传媒檛 been submitted.
A traffic impact analysis, flood study and environmental study have been completed. The group said it is 性视界传媒渓ooking at options性视界传媒 to prepare an application for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The firm has no timeline for when the project will be presented to the state agency.
Kalhoefer told The News that the firm is revising the project性视界传媒檚 masterplan based on the results of the flood study. They hope to present plans to county officials later this year.
Abbott has directed a series of state agencies to investigate EPIC and its affiliated entities. Abbott announced Monday he has directed the Texas Rangers to investigate the mosque and related businesses for 性视界传媒減otential criminal activities.性视界传媒
At least four other investigations into EPIC are being led by Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas State Board of Securities and the Texas Funeral Service Commission. Abbott previously said in an X post that a 性视界传媒渄ozen性视界传媒 state agencies were investigating.
Paxton announced the first investigation last Tuesday. The state性视界传媒檚 top prosecutor requested documents from Community Capital Partners related to its EPIC City development. The request is part of Paxton性视界传媒檚 investigation into whether the group is violating state consumer protection laws.
Abbott announced Wednesday that the Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter, alleging the mosque was operating a funeral home without a license.
The Texas State Securities Board launched its investigation Thursday into potential failures to 性视界传媒渃omply with applicable state and federal securities requirements, including protections against fraud.性视界传媒 In a news release, Abbott said the mosque and affiliated companies may be misleading investors.
On Friday, the Texas Workforce Commission announced it was investigating EPIC and Community Capital Partners to determine if the parties violated any fair housing laws.
Community Capital Partners told The News in February that the organization would adhere to the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits the denial of housing to a person based on their religion and other protected classes.
The organization stated it 性视界传媒渨ill not enforce blanket bans on any group of people, but we will conduct thorough individualized assessments of prospective buyers to ensure they align with our goals of safety and security.性视界传媒
性视界传媒淐CP intends to follow all applicable rules, regulations and laws and intends to develop an inclusive community that all citizens can be proud of,性视界传媒 the firm said in a statement Monday.
