Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026
Arlington City Council Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026
The Arlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:24 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The council approved a consent agenda of 22 items, conducted first readings on several ordinances, held public hearings on zoning changes and a gas well permit, and authorized a property sale to the Arlington Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). Most items passed 9-0, with two zoning cases receiving split votes.
Consent Calendar
The council approved all 22 items on the consent agenda in a single 9-0 vote. These included:
- Annual contracts: HVAC and boiler maintenance ($300,000, with Southland Industries and Carrier Enterprise), analog telephone services ($264,000 with AT&T), digital/long-distance/internet services ($280,400, multiple vendors), AMANDA software maintenance ($179,154 sole source with Granicus).
- Renewals for grounds maintenance: medians and rights-of-way ($1,656,594 total, Whitmore & Sons for Districts 1/4, Black Hill Landscaping for Districts 2/3) and I-30 corridor ($270,620 with Whitmore & Sons).
- Parks and recreation: purchase of resale items ($1,951,000 from various vendors) and sponsorship agreement with Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital for advertising.
- Police contracts: five-year forensic lab testing ($3,639,667 with Armstrong Forensic Laboratory) and two-year rental vehicles for covert operations ($322,200 with Acme Auto Leasing).
- Construction contracts: Brown Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements ($1,804,100 with Peachtree Construction), Woodland West Aquatic Center ($7,135,000 with Morales Construction Services), 2026 Concrete Panel & Sidewalk Replacement Program ($5,455,625 with Ken-Do Contracting).
- Zoning final readings: Planned Development at 2301 N Collins Street for Community Commercial uses plus billiard parlor and package liquor store (PD25-23), Residential Medium Density at 300 W Park Row Drive (ZA26-01), and appointment of part-time associate municipal judges.
- Resolutions: Change Order No. 2 for ACTIV natatorium ($421,917.30, Manhattan Construction), State Homeland Security Grant application ($165,000), Joint Election Agreement for May 2, 2026 elections, Interlocal Agreement with Fort Worth for detention services, NCTCOG parking lot reimbursement agreement, and CDBG reprogramming for tenant relocation at 1220 W Division Street.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Smoking Ordinance Update (Item 11.1): Connie Karnes-Kerr (Arlington resident, American Heart Association volunteer) and Alisa Sandmann (American Heart Association Southwest Community Advocacy Director) spoke in support of including e-cigarettes, stating that over 90 Texas cities have adopted similar updates. Five others registered support without speaking.
- Form-Based Code (Items 12.1 and 12.2): Josh Alexander, representing the ownership group of Dean Apartments on Summit Avenue, spoke in support and requested inclusion of 412 Summit Avenue in the form-based pilot area.
- Zoning Case ZA25-6 (Withdrawn): Laura Capik and Shelly Ames (Arlington residents) expressed opposition to the original proposal but thanked the applicant for withdrawing and committed to future community engagement.
- Gas Well Permit SUP08-2R1: Eleven speakers opposed the three new wells: Nathan Smith (Mansfield), Tracy Smith (Arlington, lives behind site), Spencer Dickinson (Colleyville, Sierra Club executive committee), Tammie Carson (Arlington), Dennis James (Arlington), Jan Collins (Arlington), Ranjana Bhandari (Arlington), Jonathan Prentice (Arlington, asthma sufferer), Stacy Melo (Arlington), Nate Gilbert (Arlington, his daughter has asthma), and Jaime (Arlington). They cited health risks (asthma, leukemia, radiation), air and water pollution, and criticized council actions. Five people registered support but did not speak.
- Citizen Participation: Jimmy Burke discussed homelessness and asked for access to city land; Zaineb Ali and Nura Bawabi (UTA students/Murphy residents) urged a resolution calling for the release of DACA recipient Yaqub Ira detained by ICE, citing First Amendment concerns; Evelyn Thompson (Arlington) reported repeated power outages and asked for tree trimming to prevent damage.
Discussion Items
- Smoking Ordinance First Reading (11.1): Health Services Manager Aimee Rockhill-Carpenter presented amendments to include electronic smoking devices, update definitions (add hookah, delete nursing home), raise age on signage from 18 to 21, and clarify responsible-party requirements. The council voted 9-0 to approve first reading.
- Form-Based Code Adoption – UDC Text Amendment (12.1) and Downtown Form-Based Zoning District (12.2): Planning Director Gincy Thoppil presented a comprehensive overhaul creating a form-based code for downtown (Article 13 of the UDC). The code replaces conventional zoning with five sub-districts: Traditional Neighborhood, Urban Neighborhood, Corridor Mixed-Use, Downtown Gateway, and Traditional Neighborhood. It protects single-family homes, allows accessory dwelling units by right, streamlines permitting, and offers density bonuses (up to 100 dwelling units per acre) with a downtown beautification fee ($500 per unit over 36 units/acre). Notices were sent to 975 property owners; 17 support letters and 10 opposition letters were received. Staff recommended changing one sub-district from CMU4 to UN3 to address concerns from single-family homeowners. The council praised the process and approved first reading of both items 9-0.
- Zoning Case PD20-22R1 – Short-Term Rental at 109 West Rogers Street (12.4): Applicant Armon Khorrami requested to remove the short-term rental prohibition on his recently built duplex, arguing that 70% of properties within a half-mile are investor-owned and the entertainment district character has changed. The duplex provides two two-car garages and a long driveway for parking. Councilmember Boxall asked for a drill zone reduction that was later applied to Item 12.6. Vote: 7-2 (Councilmembers Hunter and Piel dissenting).
- Zoning Case ZA26-2 – 2401 West Green Oaks Boulevard (12.5): Owner Travis Niles requested rezoning from Planned Development (veterinary clinic only) to Neighborhood Commercial to attract small businesses. The existing building is vacant and renovated. Two letters opposed, one supported. The council approved first reading 9-0.
- Specific Use Permit SUP08-2R1 – Gas Drilling at 8380 Glenn Day Drive (12.6): Leslie Garvis (Total Energies) requested reduction of the site area from 7.479 to 6.412 acres and a new drilling zone for three wells. Councilmember Boxall requested the drilling zone be minimized to approximately 20x40 feet for only the new wells, which Total Energies agreed to. The company detailed safety measures, landscaping, sound walls, and community outreach. Despite strong opposition, the council approved first reading 8-1 (Councilmember Hunter dissenting).
- Property Sale to AEDC (13.1): Lyndsay Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives, presented the resolution to sell 20.383 acres (700 W Lamar, 715/701 Ryan Plaza, 1610 N Collins) to the Arlington Economic Development Corporation for $19 million, replenishing the water pay-go fund used to acquire the land. Approved 9-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 9-0.
- Smoking Ordinance: First reading passed 9-0.
- Form-Based Code UDC Amendment: First reading passed 9-0.
- Downtown Form-Based Zoning District: First reading passed 9-0 with a sub-district change from CMU4 to UN3.
- ZA25-6 (Kelly Elliott Road): Withdrawn by the applicant before a vote.
- PD20-22R1 (Short-Term Rental): First reading passed 7-2 (Hunter and Piel dissenting).
- ZA26-2 (Green Oaks Blvd): First reading passed 9-0.
- SUP08-2R1 (Gas Wells): First reading passed 8-1 (Hunter dissenting); drilling zone narrowed to ~20x40 feet for new wells only.
- AEDC Property Sale: Resolution 26-123 approved 9-0.
- Citizen comments: Received by council; no formal action taken.
Meeting Transcript
And to the Republic for which nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Thank you, you may be seated. Let me invite Latetia Gallegos to come forward to accept a proclamation. Do I have her here tonight? Where you are, I'm looking for you. Bring whoever you want. A proclamation here in Arlington, Texas this evening, whereas financial literacy is essential to the well-being of individuals and families, empowering residents to make informed decisions, build wealth, and achieve long-term financial stability. And whereas access to financial education plays a critical role in promoting housing stability, preventing foreclosure and eviction, reducing vulnerability to predatory lending practices, and strengthening the overall economic health of the community. And whereas community-based organization, faith partners, and health leaders are working collaboratively to expand access to financial education and resources for residents across Darlington. And whereas HREBA housing counseling, a HUD certified housing counseling agency headquartered in Arlington provides trusted guidance and education to help families improve credit, manage finances, and achieve sustainable homeownership. And whereas HREBA Housing Counseling in partnership with other nonprofit organizations, including Grace Lutheran Church, Water from the Rock, Tarrant County Academy of Medicine, and the North Texas Community Foundation Beacon Fund is leading a community-wide effort to promote financial literacy through education, outreach, and collaboration. And whereas in recognition of Financial Literacy Month, this coalition will host a free community event. Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, Mayor of the City of Arlington, Texas, do hereby proclaim April twenty twenty-six is financial literacy month. Thank you. But it has a big meaning, and the meaning is that understanding financial matters is a cornerstone to building wealth in our communities, especially our underserved and underinvested communities. And that's what we as nonprofits uh work very hard every day to do. So thank you, Mayor Ross, for the proclamation, and thank you for the recognition. Thank you, everyone. Mr. Buskin, speaker guidelines in general decorum, please. Thank you, Mayor. We ask that the citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for attendance at and participation in the meeting without fear of intimidation, threats, or hostility. Any person making personal, profane, hostile, slanderous, or threatening remarks, who uses vulgar or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or are calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while addressing the mayor and the city council or while attending the city council meeting may be removed from the council chambers. All speakers shall address the city council and not the audience or city staff and shall shall not call out individually named members of city staff or the public. For speakers tonight, when your name is called, please come to the microphone at the podium and state your name and city of residence for the record. Speakers may not use music, videos, other forms of media, signs, or props. During public hearings for zoning cases, the applicant will be asked to speak first and will be given five minutes to make a presentation. Speakers in support or opposition of the item will be given three minutes each to make their statements. The applicant will then be given three minutes for any rebuttal. For all other items on the agenda, speakers will be given three minutes to speak. If multiple speakers plan to provide the same or similar comments, those speakers may, if they so desire, designate one or more individuals to provide public comment on behalf of the group. A bell will signal the end of each speaker's time. In consideration of other speakers, please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bell. We ask that you address your comments to the mayor and council. Thank you, Mr. Buskin. Appointments. Do we have any appointments to boards or commissions this evening? Thank you, Mayor. We have two appointments to boards and commissions to the landmark preservation commission. Christina Rimmons, place one to the zoning board of adjustment, Clemisha Wynne, place three. Do we have any speakers on either of these individuals? No, sir, we do not. Thank you, sir. I have a motion from Councilmember Pham. A second from Councilmember Odom Wesley, please cast your vote. Motion passes. We'll move on down. Consideration of items from executive session, Mr.
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