Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – June 11, 2024

The Arlington City Council met in regular session on June 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. Councilmember R. Gonzalez chaired the meeting due to the absence of the Mayor and two other council members. The meeting included a special presentation, consent agenda action, four public hearings, and a first reading of ordinance amendments. Key actions included approvals of zoning changes for a cottage community, an industrial development plan revision, and a downtown residential project, while two gas-drilling related items were continued to the June 25 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved (except Item 8.17): The council approved 25 consent agenda items (minute orders, ordinances on final reading, and resolutions) in a single 6-0 vote. These included annual contracts for telephone/internet services ($255,147), software ($3,068,025.16), IT hardware ($1,210,000), streetlight pole painting ($248,750), pothole emulsion renewal ($50,400), street sweeping renewal ($289,105), electrical services ($200,675), operable walls maintenance ($450,505), audio-visual/rigging services for Esports Stadium (revenue $100,000), resiliency training for fire department ($65,958), ATVs for police ($67,142), security guard contract modification ($31,523.72), engineering for pedestrian crossing ($417,550) and intersection improvements ($244,290), the 2023 assessment roll for Lamar Boulevard PID, school zone/one-way street revisions, a professional service contract for E-Space project manager ($226,800), a grant for ADA/Sidewalk Master Plan ($385,000), a dog park lease agreement with UP Railroad, a cell tower use agreement amendment, creation of a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, two homeless housing grants ($178,574 and $64,617), a Tarrant County childcare expansion interlocal agreement, and a resolution supporting North Texas Higher Education Authority bonds. One individual registered support for the bonds resolution; no other public comment on consent items.
• Withdrawn Item 8.17 (Duke Drill Site & Drill Zone SUP): The council voted 6-0 to withdraw this item from the consent agenda for separate consideration. The applicant requested a continuance to June 25, 2024. One speaker (Leslie Garvis, representing TotalEnergies) appeared in support. Twelve individuals registered in opposition; several spoke during the public hearing portion (see Public Comments). The council subsequently voted 6-0 to continue the final reading of the ordinance to the June 25 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Duke Drill Site SUP (Item 8.17) and Gas Well Permits (Item 11.4): Multiple residents spoke in opposition to the proposed gas well permits and the related specific use permit.
  • Max Wood (Arlington) cited climate change and health risks from fracking, stating that 70% of greenhouse gases come from cities and that methane contributes 20-30% of warming.
  • Yumna Elhdari (Arlington, Tarrant for Change) presented studies linking fracking to childhood lymphoma, leukemia, cardiovascular disease, and elevated mortality in the elderly.
  • Lydia Faith (Arlington, Sunrise Movement) highlighted poor birth outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, and congenital heart disease, and noted Tarrant County has the highest rate of birth defects among similar Texas counties since 2014.
  • Andrew Brandt (Arlington, professor at UTA) proposed that the city fund permanent emissions monitoring at drill sites.
  • Ranjana Bhandari (Arlington) questioned the objectivity of air monitoring and noted that a private audit found 22 leaks at a single site in 15 minutes in Grand Prairie.
  • Alana Brandt (Arlington) argued that the city should reconsider fracking in light of new health evidence and not solely rely on HB 40.
  • Nathan Smith (Mansfield, former Arlington resident) asked the council to determine a reasonable setback distance and be transparent.
  • Emily Nichols (Arlington) reported neighborhood turnover near the Brooder site and suggested a 2,000-foot setback ordinance and dedicated resources to test for benzene.
  • Catherine Rogers (Arlington) noted that the Duke site already has 10 gas wells and that cumulative exposure increases health risks.
  • Ingrid Kelly (Arlington) shared an anecdote about a family fundraising for a child’s leukemia funeral, linking it to fracking.
  • Susybelle Gosslee (Dallas) spoke on behalf of her son, arguing the council is not fulfilling its mission to protect public health.
  • Rita Beving (Public Citizen, Farmers Branch) cited an Earthworks report finding 16 exceedances at the Duke site out of 16 visits and urged the council to require Total to clean up existing leaks before approving new wells.
• Balfour Lofts (Item 11.3): Two individuals registered support but did not speak. No opposition speakers.
• Other Items: No public comments on Items 6.1-6.3, minutes, or the ordinance amendments (Item 12.1).

Discussion Items

• Special Presentation: Councilmember Gonzalez presented a proclamation declaring June 17-23, 2024, as National Pollinator Week, accepted by Melissa Walker, Environmental Education Specialist. She noted 830 identified pollinator species in Arlington from 8,093 observations by 503 volunteers since October 2021, with 137 new species identified in the past year.
• Zoning Case PD24-4 (2331 Ascension Boulevard): The applicant (Gaylen Laing, architect, and George Jensen, owner) proposed a 14-unit cottage community on 1.22 acres with 60% open space, all covered parking, and preservation of live oaks. Councilmembers praised the quality and density. The public hearing was opened and closed with no opposition. Approved 6-0 on first reading.
• Zoning Case PD21-2R1 (Arlington Business Center): Douglas Cooper (MMA) requested a revised development plan to increase a building from 36,300 to 77,800 square feet, made possible by relocating stormwater infrastructure underground. No changes to the larger west tract. The public hearing had three supporters (non-speakers). Approved 6-0 on first reading.
• Zoning Case PD24-02 (Balfour Lofts): Edward Manuel (MMA) presented a 65-unit multifamily project at 701-711 Dugan Street and 700 East South Street. The project exceeds the DNO density cap (57 vs 40 units/acre) and proposes 28 new on-street parking spaces. The applicant agreed to bury power lines along South Street. Council debated tree caliper: P&Z required 5-inch caliper trees on streets, but the applicant preferred 4-inch caliper and a $9,000 payment to the tree fund. Councilmember Hogg moved to approve with a stipulation for 4-inch caliper trees instead of 5-inch. The motion carried 6-0 on first reading.
• Duke Drill Site Gas Well Permits (Item 11.4): The applicant (TotalEnergies) requested a continuance to June 25, 2024. The council voted 6-0 to continue the public hearing and resolution.
• Amendments to Parks and Recreation and Miscellaneous Offenses Codes (Item 12.1): James Orloski presented first reading of ordinances updating park hours (including Rotary Dream Park Phase 2 and Doggy Depot) and establishing hours and prohibited activities for City Plaza (including City Center Plaza, Jeff Williams Plaza, and Mineral Well Public Plaza). No public comment. Approved 6-0 on first reading.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (minus Item 8.17): 25 items authorized via a single 6-0 vote.
• Item 8.17 Continued: Final reading of the specific use permit for the Duke Drill Site was continued to the June 25, 2024, council meeting (vote 6-0).
• Zoning Case PD24-4 Approved (first reading): 6-0 vote in favor of the cottage community on Ascension Boulevard.
• Zoning Case PD21-2R1 Approved (first reading): 6-0 vote for the revised development plan at the Arlington Business Center.
• Zoning Case PD24-02 Approved (first reading with stipulation): 6-0 vote for Balfour Lofts, with a stipulation to provide 4-inch caliper street trees instead of the 5-inch recommended by P&Z.
• Item 11.4 Continued: The public hearing and resolution for five gas well permits at the Duke Drill Site were continued to June 25, 2024 (vote 6-0).
• Ordinance Amendments Approved (first reading): 6-0 vote to amend park hours and City Plaza rules.
• Appointments: None.
• Citizen Participation: Three speakers addressed non-agenda items: Anthony Moore (blessing for the city, NAMI Texas), Brantley Henshaw (various concerns), DJ Johanneson (CEO of the help center for LGBT Health and Wellness, reported 8,900 attendees at Arlington Gay Pride, a 71% increase).