A proposed Muslim-centric residential development known as “EPIC City” has drawn increasing attention from both state and federal officials, as concerns continue to mount over its intentions, transparency, and adherence to federal and state laws. The 400-acre project, spearheaded by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), has already sparked multiple investigations at the state level, and now U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is calling on federal authorities to get involved.
In a letter sent this week to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, Cornyn requested a federal investigation into whether the development and its associated investment arm, Community Capital Partner (CCP) LP, may be attempting to enforce religious-based laws or engage in discriminatory practices.
“Religious discrimination, whether explicit or implicit, is unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments,” Cornyn wrote. “Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our nation’s values, and I am concerned this community potentially undermines this vital protection.”
Cornyn’s letter underscores concerns that EPIC City may function as an enclave with discriminatory housing practices favoring a specific religious group. The senator pointed to language used in promotional materials and the development’s affiliations as cause for alarm, suggesting that the community’s true intentions might be obscured from the public.
The proposed development plans include more than 1,000 homes, a mosque, schools, and other infrastructure, designed—according to a promotional video—to “bring Islam to the forefront” and “celebrate diversity and promote unity … to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all residents regardless of their background.”
Despite that inclusive messaging, critics argue that the project’s execution could violate civil rights protections and raise constitutional questions about the separation of church and state in residential zoning and development.
State officials have already launched a series of inquiries. Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas State Securities Board and the Texas Workforce Commission to probe the development, while the Texas Funeral Service Commission issued a cease and desist letter citing unauthorized funeral service operations at the site.
Attorney General Ken Paxton, who recently announced his 2026 Senate bid against Cornyn, has also opened an investigation. Though the timing has raised eyebrows among political observers, both men insist their concerns are rooted in law and public interest, not politics.
In February, Community Capital Partner responded to growing public concerns, telling The Dallas Morning News that EPIC City “will abide by the Fair Housing Act” and “will not enforce blanket bans on any group of people.” The statement emphasized a commitment to “individualized assessments of prospective buyers to ensure they align with our goals of safety and security.”
Still, some officials and local residents remain uneasy. Questions continue to circulate about how these assessments will be conducted and whether such criteria could result in implicit religious filtering.
Supporters of the development say the backlash reveals a deeper discomfort with religious minority communities asserting their place in American suburbia. EPIC has maintained that the project is meant to serve as a model for interfaith inclusion, not exclusion.
Yet with Cornyn’s call for federal oversight, the future of EPIC City may depend on how the Department of Justice and other federal bodies interpret both the facts and the fears surrounding it.
