Public Meetings - Coppell, Texas

The Coppell City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM for a Work Session and 7:30 PM for a Regular Session. All eight council members were present. The agenda included a restructuring of the city's tourism marketing plan, the authorization of a new railroad quiet zone, and several public hearings on zoning requests. A controversial request to allow office uses in Old Town was denied, while a large commercial development near Sandy Lake Road was continued to allow for more resident negotiations. Consent Calendar - The council approved 12 consent items unanimously, including the adoption of minutes, updates to the Library Board and Building Standards Commission codes, and zoning changes for a 442,596 sq ft office/distribution center (PD-221), a 100-room Tru Hotel (PD-295), and live/work units (PD-213). - Contracts were awarded for the reconstruction of Spanish Moss Drive ($79,077), architectural design for the Animal Services Facility expansion ($253,200), replacement of boilers at the CORE ($153,005), emergency repair of the Cottonwood Branch Creek Bridge ($320,000), and Pavement Panel Replacement Phase 2 ($2,500,000). Public Comments & Testimony - Quiet Zone: Todd Landrum of the Fairways at River Chase thanked the council and staff for establishing the Volley Drive quiet zone, which took effect that day. - Old Town Zoning (Item 10): Property owner Diana Ahmed spoke in favor of her request. She stated the 2,300 sq ft space had been vacant for over two years despite significant marketing efforts, costing her approximately $270,000. She argued that Old Town lacks the traffic to support restaurants and that office uses were the only viable option to fill the space, highlighting past zoning changes on surrounding properties as precedent. - Sandy Lake Road Commercial (Item 11): Twelve residents of the Arbor Manor neighborhood spoke against the proposed development. Speakers cited the lack of a formal traffic study, the dangerous proximity of the proposed driveway to their neighborhood entrance, the proposed removal of mature trees, and the potential for increased noise, traffic, and pests from the restaurant and outdoor patio. Residents requested stronger conditions, including moving the building further from homes, preserving trees, prohibiting an outdoor patio, and requiring a meeting with the developer. Discussion Items - Discover Coppell Strategy (Work Session): Robin from the Chamber of Commerce presented a new tourism strategy. The plan reallocates the $288,494 budget to bring marketing and sales in-house, focusing on a dedicated tourism sales manager, measurable results (hotel nights, promo code tracking), and storytelling through video content rather than static ads. - Volley Drive Quiet Zone (Work Session): Public Works Assistant Director Aaron Tainter reported that the FRA had approved the quiet zone for the Volley Drive DART crossing. Staff coordinated with DART to implement the change that week, which stops trains from routinely sounding horns at this crossing to address resident complaints about noise. - Old Town Zoning Debate (Item 10): The council debated the request to add professional/medical offices to the ground floor. Supporters (Walker, Carroll, Mathew) argued that the current market realities and long-term vacancy were pressing issues and that office leases could be temporary. Opponents (Hinojosa-Smith, Nevels, Premkumar, Hill) cited the city's comprehensive plan and the vision for a vibrant Old Town with active nightlife, arguing the change would contradict that goal. - Samaritan's Purse Expansion (Item 12): The council reviewed a plan for a new 37,699 sq ft office building and parking lot. A central issue was whether to waive tree mitigation fees (estimated between $110,000 and $134,000) for the removal of trees, including a 40.3-inch white ash tree deemed to be in decline. - Fire Station 3 (Items 13-15): The council considered a reimbursement resolution to use infrastructure funds for fire station construction pending a proposed bond. Specific funding included $7,323,108 for Byrne Construction Services (Guaranteed Max Price) and $257,000 for Gallagher Construction Services (Construction Management). - City Manager Reports (Item 16): Project updates were provided for the Hunterwood Park bank stabilization, Bullock and Howell paving, Arbor Brook drainage channel, Royal Lane reconstruction, Service Center (completion expected mid-May), and the Justice Center (roof deck installation). - Mayor and Council Reports (Items 17-18): Upcoming events included the Sheehan Family Playground grand opening, Earthfest, and Fun Food and Grooves. Councilmembers reported on the North Central Texas Council of Governments (World Cup 2026 transportation preparations), the North Texas Commission (Spring DC Fly-in discussions on trade, infrastructure, and regulation), and the Coppell Historical Society (Legacy Locals exhibit and upcoming Earthfest tent). - Public Announcements (Item 19): Mayor Mays noted the success of the Crave Coppell event and the Graduation Bash, which saw attendance double the expected number to over 3,000 people. Key Outcomes - Denied (Item 10): The request to amend zoning PD-250R26R2-H to add professional/medical office uses at 767 W. Main Street failed by a vote of 3-4. (Aye: Carroll, Walker, Mathew; Nay: Hinojosa-Smith, Nevels, Premkumar, Hill). - Continued (Item 11): The public hearing for PD-214R10-C, the commercial center at Sandy Lake Road, was continued to the April 28, 2026 meeting by a unanimous vote to allow for further negotiations between the developer and the neighborhood. - Approved with Tree Mitigation Fees (Item 12): The council approved the Samaritan's Purse expansion (PD-296R-LI) with a vote of 5-2. The council amended the motion to require the payment of tree mitigation fees and allowed the removal of the 40.3-inch ash tree. - Approved Unanimously (Items 13, 14, 15): The council unanimously approved the reimbursement resolution for fire station projects, the Guaranteed Max Price Amendment with Byrne Construction Services ($7,323,108) for Fire Station 3, and the Construction Management Amendment with Gallagher Construction Services ($257,000).