Arlington City Council Regular Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Arlington City Council convened on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chamber, 101 W. Abram Street. Mayor Jim Ross presided, with Councilmembers M. Galante, R. Gonzalez, N. Hunter, R. Boxall, L. Pham, and B. Odom-Wesley present. Councilmembers A. Piel and B. Hogg were absent. The meeting included special presentations, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on a noise monitor license agreement, an extension of a historic stay on a demolition permit, and two zoning cases along Debbie Lane.

Consent Calendar

• Minute Orders (8.1–8.14): Approved unanimously, including annual contracts for flood remediation (BELFOR USA Group, Inc., up to $325,000), floor repairs (Gomez Floor Covering, Inc., up to $200,000), janitorial supplies for Parks (E77, LLC, up to $155,000), IT hardware (up to $2,110,000), electrical supplies (Graybar Electric Company, Inc., up to $600,000), liquid oxygen renewal (Airgas USA, LLC, up to $722,800), software and maintenance (up to $1,925,220), granular activated carbon renewal (Calgon Carbon Corporation, up to $1,132,600), resilient wedge gate valves renewal (BenMark Supply Company, Inc., up to $621,788), jail food and beverages (Eagles Eight Eleven, LLC dba Sunbeam Foods, Inc., up to $117,990), Fire Station 15 driveway/paving improvements (Warren Development & Construction, LLC, up to $396,345.40), stormwater review consulting modification (Kimley‑Horn and Associates, Inc., up to $25,000), 2023 Residential Rebuilds Phase 1 (S.Y.B. Construction Co., Inc., up to $4,294,723 plus a possible $91,250 bonus), and elevated storage tank evaluation (Kimley‑Horn, up to $352,050).
• Ordinance Final Reading (8.15): Ordinance 26‑027 amending the Major Sports Complex Chapter to replace a nonconforming offsite advertising sign was approved.
• Resolutions (8.16–8.27): Approved unanimously, including submissions for Texas Homeless Housing and Services Program grants (Youth set‑aside $63,982; General $188,955), an interlocal agreement with Dallas for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, adoption of the Program Year 2026 HUD Action Plan for CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds (with associated subrecipient and CHDO contracts), a lease extension with the State of Texas for the Southeast Tarrant County Human Services Building, design‑build authority for the East Police Station fire alarm replacement, competitive sealed proposal procurement for bathroom improvements at 1015 W. Main Street, RFP procurement for janitorial services, approval of a tax‑exempt loan from Italy Higher Education Facilities Corporation to Grace Preparatory Academy, fee adjustments for the Planning and Development Services Department’s fee schedule, salary adjustments for the City Attorney, City Auditor, and Presiding Municipal Court Judge, and a first amendment to the Phase One Tax Abatement Agreement with Texas Trust Credit Union.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 8.17 (HHSP Grant): Jimmy Burke (Arlington, TX) expressed general support for the grant process but cautioned about including input from homeless individuals without tokenism and emphasized the need for fact‑based solutions.
• Item 11.2 (Historic Stay – 513 S. Center Street): Rebecca Barksdale and Zach Barksdale (property owners), represented by attorney Mark Bishop, opposed a 90‑day extension of the historic stay, citing safety concerns from break‑ins and vandalism, and an estimated $260,000 in restoration costs. They noted the home was a rental and never occupied by Dr. Bobo. They indicated willingness to gift the structure if someone would move it, but requested demolition for safety.
• Item 11.3 (Harmony Court – 800 Debbie Lane): Daly Searfoss (Colleyville, TX), representing Driven Brands/Take 5 Oil Change, supported the project, stating it fills a void for oil changes in the area. Angela McDowell (Arlington, TX), business manager of the adjacent Live Well at Harmony townhome community, voiced support for the mixed‑use, walkable design that aligns with city goals. Two additional non‑speaking supporters were registered.
• Item 11.4 (1120 Debbie Lane & 8380 Glenn Day Drive): Several residents spoke in opposition: Ranjana Bhandari (Arlington, TX) cited studies linking proximity to gas wells to increased leukemia, birth defects, and asthma risks. Jennifer Quick (Arlington, TX) argued the development would harm future residents and that the council has full authority to deny the case. R. Nate Gilbert (Arlington, TX) urged denial, citing health concerns. Jonathan Prentice (Arlington, TX) shared a personal family history of leukemia linked to benzene exposure and opposed the location of the pool next to the gas well site. Five non‑speaking supporters were registered.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.1 & 6.2 (Executive Session Settlements): Approved unanimously – a street right‑of‑way easement (4,789 sq ft) at 405 N. Collins Street for the Entertainment District Sidewalk Phase 3 project; a sanitary sewer easement (6,429 sq ft) and temporary construction easement (6,956 sq ft) at 1901 NE Green Oaks Boulevard for the Shadow Drive Sanitary Sewer Main Replacement project.
• Item 11.1 (Noise Monitor License – River Legacy East Park): Jason Hughes (Real Estate Manager) presented a 20‑year license with DFW Airport for a solar‑powered noise monitor on ~4 sq ft of parkland adjacent to the parking lot. The city may terminate with 180‑day notice. Financial impact: $500 in 2026. No public comments; approved unanimously.
• Item 11.2 (Historic Stay Extension – 513 S. Center Street): Zane Gober (Chair, Landmark Preservation Commission) presented the case for a 90‑day extension, highlighting the 1917‑1920 Craftsman bungalow’s historic significance as part of the South Central National Historic District and its association with Dr. Zachariah Bobo (who delivered over 4,000 babies). The LPC sought time to explore alternatives including a local marker, materials salvage, or preservation. After hearing property owner testimony, the council moved to approve a 30‑day extension (moved by Mayor Ross, seconded by Councilmember Boxall; vote 7‑0).
• Item 11.3 (Zoning Case PD21‑28R1 – 800 Debbie Lane): The applicant (Sahil Kurji, Relias Capital Partners; presented by Nikki Moore) proposed amending the PD to allow gasoline sales, auto service center, and retail (fast‑food drive‑thru, sit‑down restaurant, and neighborhood services) on a 3.5‑acre commercial tract. The development plan includes a modern 7‑Eleven and Take 5 Oil Change, with unified signage, brick columns, and landscaped berms screening service bays. Staff recommended adopting unified signage standards and ensuring service bays are not visible from the street. The motion to approve first reading passed 5‑2 (Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Galante, Gonzalez, Pham, Odom‑Wesley aye; Councilmembers Hunter and Boxall nay).
• Item 11.4 (Zoning Case PD25‑22 – 1120 Debbie Lane & 8380 Glenn Day Drive): The applicant (Dixon Holman; Joseph Post of Taylor Morrison) proposed 170 townhomes (2‑story, 1,400–1,800 sq ft, 3‑4 bedrooms) on ~20 acres, with a separate 10‑acre commercial tract that explicitly prohibits gasoline sales. The development plan shows 13% tree preservation (city requires 35%) and front‑loaded garages; the applicant requested a deviation from the 35% tree preservation requirement and declined P&Z recommendations to convert to rear‑loaded garages, citing tree loss, drainage issues, and market preference for yards. Staff noted the plan would be final only after revisions. The motion to approve first reading passed 4‑3 (Mayor Ross, Councilmembers Gonzalez, Pham, Odom‑Wesley aye; Councilmembers Galante, Hunter, Boxall nay).
• Citizen Participation: Four residents spoke: Jimmy Burke discussed the need to avoid paternalism in homeless programs; Cody Warden raised concerns about police conduct; James Gukovic presented a piece of a recovered 1885 Texas & Pacific locomotive to mark Arlington’s 150th anniversary; Rojo Mehuero encouraged continued civic engagement.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Unanimously: Executive session settlements (Resolutions 26‑137, 26‑138); minutes from April 21 and April 28, 2026; all consent agenda items (Minute Orders MO#05052026‑001 to ‑014; Ordinance 26‑027; Resolutions 26‑139 to 26‑155); Noise Monitor License Agreement with DFW Airport (Resolution 26‑156).
• Approved with Amendment (7‑0): Resolution 26‑157 authorizing a 30‑day extension of the historic stay on the demolition permit for 513 S. Center Street (amended from the requested 90 days).
• Approved First Reading (5‑2) – Harmony Court (800 Debbie Lane): Ordinance amending the PD to allow gasoline sales and auto service center, with a development plan for the commercial tract.
• Approved First Reading (4‑3) – Taylor Morrison Townhomes (1120 Debbie Lane / 8380 Glenn Day Drive): Ordinance rezoning to PD for RM‑12 and CC uses, with a development plan for the RM‑12 tract. The applicant must submit revised plans addressing tree preservation (deviation from 35% requirement) and other staff considerations before final reading.
• Meeting Adjourned at 8:35 p.m.