Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Arlington City Council convened on March 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included special presentations, a consent agenda, three public hearings, a resolution for the INDYCAR Grand Prix, and a vote to call a public hearing for a zoning appeal. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.

Special Presentation

• Mayor Ross introduced Christina Gomez, Education & Training Coordinator for the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, who recognized the City of Arlington as a Heart Safe Community. Fire Chief Bret Stidham was recognized for his efforts in public health, safety, and emergency preparedness. Arlington is the largest city in North Texas to receive this designation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (9-0) with 11 minute orders, 2 ordinances, and 10 resolutions. Notable items included:
  • Annual requirements contract for veterinary services ($119,600)
  • Nuisance abatement and property securing services ($250,000)
  • Pavement leveling services renewal ($413,120)
  • Pavement markings renewal and modification ($915,505)
  • Sole source purchase of traffic signal and streetlight poles ($850,000)
  • Entertainment District Sidewalks Phase 3 construction ($1,812,017)
  • Allen Avenue Sidewalk Project ($2,184,275.83 total including contingency)
  • Fats, oils, and grease monitoring service ($287,640)
  • Fusion machine for Water Utilities ($372,776)
  • Mobile LED screen for Parks ($154,270)
  • LED lighting at Vandergriff Park ($491,600)
  • Final reading of zoning case SUP25-11 for tattoo parlor at 536 West Randol Mill Road (Ordinance 26-012)
  • FY26 Assessment Roll for Anthem Public Improvement District (Ordinance 26-013)
  • Restated Certificate of Formation of Arlington, Inc. (Resolution 26-075)
  • 2025 Homeland Security grants ($3,174,872.28) (Resolution 26-076)
  • Public Right-of-Way Permitting and Construction Manual amendment (Resolution 26-077)
  • Transportation Services Title VI Program (Resolution 26-078)
  • RFP for sale of surplus property at 501 N. East Street (Resolution 26-079)
  • RFP for budget software (Resolution 26-080)
  • ACTIV Center and Texas Health Resources Sponsorship Agreement (Resolution 26-081)
  • Arlington Family Apartments resolution of no objection for 291 units at 1801 East Arkansas (Resolution 26-082)
  • General and No Litigation Certificate for Matlock Flats apartments (Resolution 26-083)
  • Confirmation of Civil Service Commissioner (Resolution 26-084)

Public Hearings & Testimony

Zoning Case SUP25-10 (2102 Prestonwood Drive) – Secondary Living Unit

• Public hearing opened at 6:41 PM. The applicant, Shelley Chambers, requested a Specific Use Permit for a secondary living unit (approximately 750 sq. ft.) for her elderly mother. The property is zoned RS-7.2 and is over 30,000 sq. ft. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended unanimous approval with stipulations. A supermajority vote was required because 61.9% of surrounding property owners submitted opposition.
• Speakers in support: Ricky Chambers, Rebecca Chambers, Jeff Karr, Bill Block, Joy Wells, Larry Trussell, and Kevin Clarke emphasized the family’s desire to care for aging parents, the quality of the project, and that the unit would not be rented. The applicant noted that initial opposition was based on misinformation about rental use.
• Speakers in opposition: Laura Matthews (adjacent neighbor) and Beatriz Stein raised concerns about height, placement, visual impact, and setting a precedent. Matthews noted the structure would be 15 feet 8 inches tall, 7 feet from the fence line, and on a high point of the lot. She also expressed concern about frequent plan changes.
• Council discussion: Councilmembers visited the property and spoke with neighbors. They noted the lot is large, the family has followed the process, and the unit is for family care. The applicant offered to install an 8-foot fence to buffer the neighbor. The public hearing closed at 7:19 PM. The motion to approve first reading passed 9-0.

Zoning Case SUP10-23R4 (Liquitek – 408 113th Street) – Maintenance Building

• Public hearing opened at 7:20 PM. The applicant, Armando Garcia, requested a fourth revision to the Specific Use Permit to add a 10,500 sq. ft. maintenance building at a liquid waste processing facility in the Great Southwest Industrial Park. The site is 2.34 acres zoned Industrial Manufacturing (IM).
• Speakers in support: Keegan Gardner (contractor) and Aaron Nation (contractor) made themselves available for questions. The applicant explained that the new building would improve workflow, safety, and sustainability, and would consolidate equipment storage. Enhanced landscaping and upgraded materials are proposed for the street-facing elevation.
• No opposition speakers. Councilmember Gonzalez asked about site clutter and landscaping; the applicant confirmed that the new building would reduce visible clutter and improve circulation. The public hearing closed at 7:31 PM. The motion to approve first reading passed 9-0.

Zoning Case PD25-14 (1112 North Collins Street) – Package Liquor Store

• Public hearing opened at 7:31 PM. The applicant, Robert Nunez, requested a rezoning from Entertainment District Overlay-Community Commercial (EDO-CC) to Planned Development (PD) for EDO-CC plus a package liquor store in a 2,400 sq. ft. lease space. The applicant operates a convenience store that has struggled since a 7-Eleven opened nearby. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved 5-4 with conditions including removal of illegal signage and improved landscaping.
• Speakers in support: The applicant and business owner Kamlesh Mandal. The applicant proposed to paint the exterior, add landscaping (5 trees and shrubs), improve signage, lighting, and cameras. He noted that the business owner has experience running a liquor store in Fort Worth.
• Council discussion: Councilmember Hogg opposed, citing crime statistics and the location on a major thoroughfare. Councilmember Boxall expressed concern that the property owner was not present and not committed to improvements. Councilmember Gonzalez noted the landlord’s lack of investment. The applicant argued that if denied, he could face a lease breach lawsuit. The public hearing closed at 7:52 PM. The motion to approve first reading failed 1-8, with only Councilmember Odom-Wesley voting in favor.

Key Outcomes

• SUP25-10 (Secondary Living Unit): Approved on first reading (9-0).
• SUP10-23R4 (Liquitek Maintenance Building): Approved on first reading (9-0).
• PD25-14 (Package Liquor Store): Denied (1-8).
• INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington – Trust Fund Event Support Contract: Resolution 26-085 approved (9-0). The event is expected to draw 80,000 visitors and have an economic impact of approximately $66 million. The city’s contribution is $1.2 million, including $500,000 from the Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District.
• Resolution to Call a Public Hearing for Zoning Case ZA25-6 (4232 and 4312 Kelly Elliott Road, and 4230 Interstate 20 Highway): Approved (5-4) with Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Gonzalez, Boxall, Pham, and Odom-Wesley in favor; Councilmembers Galante, Hunter, Piel, and Hogg opposed. The case involves a request to rezone from RS-7.2 to Neighborhood Commercial on 2.717 acres after a tie vote (4-4) by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Citizen Participation: Several residents spoke on topics including a stolen service dog, homelessness, and a code enforcement issue regarding a house built without permits. The City Manager was directed to follow up on the code issue.