Sec. 31.1611.  PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE PREPARATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN.  (a)  If the division is requested to prepare a development plan under Section 31.161, the division shall notify the local government to which the plan will be submitted under Section 31.162 of the division's intent to prepare a development plan.  The division shall provide the local government with information relating to:
(1)  the location of the real property to be offered for sale or lease;
(2)  the highest and best use of the real property as provided in the division's report under Section 31.157;  and
(3)  the process for preparing the development plan under Section 31.161 and the process provided under Sections 31.165 and 31.166 for the special board of review.
(b)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the local government receives the notice provided under Subsection (a), the local government may request the division to hold a public hearing to solicit public comment.  If requested by the local government, the division shall hold a public hearing.  The local government shall provide notice of the hearing to real property owners in at least the same manner that notice is provided for adopting zoning regulations or subdivision requirements in the local government's jurisdiction.  The division shall set the agenda for the hearing, which must be completed no later than the 120th day after the date notice is provided under Subsection (a).
(c)  If the local government does not request a public hearing under Subsection (b), the commissioner may hold a hearing to solicit public comment.  The division shall provide notice of the hearing in the same manner that a local government is required to provide notice under Subsection (b).  The commissioner shall set the agenda for the hearing and must complete the hearing not later than the 120th day after the date the notice is provided under Subsection (a).
(d)  A public hearing under this section may include:
(1)  a presentation by the division relating to the division's classification of the real property as unused or substantially underused and the division's recommendation of the highest and best use to which the real property may legally be placed;
(2)  a presentation by the local government relating to relevant local plans, development principles, and ordinances that may affect the development of the real property;  and
(3)  oral comments and presentations of information by and written comments received from other persons relating to the development of the real property.
(e)  The division shall prepare a summary of the information and testimony presented at a hearing conducted under this section and may develop recommendations based on the information and testimony.  The division shall prepare and deliver a report to the commissioner summarizing the information and testimony presented at the hearing and the views presented by the state, the affected local governments, and other persons who participated in the hearing process.  The commissioner shall review the division's report and may instruct the division to incorporate information based on the report in preparing the development plan under Section 31.161.
(f)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.  The division shall administer the process provided by this section.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 903, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 1999.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1091, Sec. 21, eff. June 20, 2003.