Texas Judges Sides With Community Capital Partners

Community Capital Partners scored an early win in its lawsuit against the Texas Workforce Commission as it looks to move forward with The Meadow, a Muslim-centric project formerly known as EPIC City.

A Travis County judge sided with the developer in yet another legal test of the project that first riled up Texas politicians last spring, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Community Capital Partners filed the lawsuit after the Texas Workforce Commission refused to review the project’s updated housing policies, despite reaching a settlement with the developer last fall that required the agency to approve the new policies.

The 201st District Court issued an injunction Tuesday requiring the agency to abide by the terms of the settlement. In addition, the judge denied the state’s request to dismiss Community Capital Partners’ lawsuit.

“We have done nothing wrong, and this decision reflects that,” Community Capital Partners president Imran Chaudhary said in a statement.

The Texas Workforce Commission called the ruling “flawed” and told the outlet that it “overlooks substantial evidence” that the developers are in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The agency also said it plans to appeal the decision.

The agency’s attempt to block the progression of the development is just one of many obstacles the developer has faced since moving forward with plans to build the 402-acre master-planned community last spring. So far, little has stuck.

State and federal politicians, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, have accused the developer of discrimination and trying to enforce Shaira law.

The U.S. Department of Justice dropped its inquiry into the development in June. The Texas Workforce Commission settled its probe into the project in September.

Even so, political attacks have continued. Paxton sued the developer in December, accusing Community Capital Partners of violating Texas securities law. He sued a municipal district tied to the project in February, accusing the district of evading state oversight. A Collin County judge granted a temporary restraining order against the district in March.

Plans for the Meadow include a mosque, school, single-family homes, apartments and senior living facilities. The community will be located in Collin and Hunt counties near Josephine.

— Jess Hardin