Arlington City Council Work Session: Comprehensive Plan, Stormwater, and Staff Reports (June 23, 2026)

The Arlington City Council convened its afternoon work session on June 23, 2026, at 2:47 p.m. to receive updates on the Innovate Arlington comprehensive plan, the stormwater management program, the Strengthen Our Communities priority, and several staff reports. The session included detailed presentations, council discussions, and a preview of the public engagement timeline for the comprehensive plan.

Comprehensive Plan – Innovate Arlington

• Presentation Lead: Jin C. Topel (Director of Planning and Development Services), John (consultant), Jay Rankins (MIG), and Ellie Schaefer (MIG).
• Key Content:
  • The draft plan, Innovate Arlington, provides a 20‑year vision for the city. It uses a place type approach with 12 categories (e.g., suburban neighborhood, urban corridor, mixed‑use center) instead of a traditional land‑use map. A preferred growth scenario was developed from community input, including a board game and online mapping. The scenario focuses on vacant and underutilized parcels, projecting a need for 15,000 new homes and 30,000 new jobs, with capacity for 47,000 homes and 49,000 jobs to buffer against market variability.
  • Context zones (traditional, connected, central) were introduced to tailor development intensity to surrounding infrastructure and character.
  • Volume 2 (Blueprint for Innovation) includes near‑term actions, a framework for measuring progress, and a schedule for plan updates (annual map check, 5‑year major review, 10‑year vision refresh).
  • Public engagement to date includes 113 events across all five council districts, work with AISD and UTA, and pop‑ups at grocery stores. A 30‑day public review period is planned August 10 – September 6, 2026, with district town halls in August and a virtual workshop September 1.
• Council Observations & Questions:
  • Councilmember Gonzalez expressed concerns about how the plan affects established areas like Village on the Green in southwest Arlington; staff noted that agricultural zoning had already been updated to reflect community character and that the plan preserves large portions of single‑family neighborhoods.
  • Councilmember Odom Wesley questioned whether a representative cross‑section of the community had been reached; staff affirmed efforts to engage diverse groups and offered to provide demographic data on participation.
  • Councilmember Garcia Dumas found the presentation complex and worried that if council members struggled to understand the plan, residents would too. She requested clearer materials and baseline data to compare current land uses with the proposed place types.
  • Councilmember Hogg praised the plan as a flexible, living document and noted that it provides guidance without being overly restrictive; he urged continued engagement and accountability.
  • Councilmember Galante deferred detailed questions to a later review of the draft document.
• Next Steps:
  • Council will receive a printed draft plan binder within a week and have one month to review before the public review period begins.
  • The plan is slated for adoption in early 2027.

Stormwater Program Update

• Presenter: Amy Cannon, Assistant Director of Public Works (Stormwater Management).
• Key Statistics:
  • Since the program’s inception in 2005, the city has invested $208 million to protect 695 structures from flooding (about $100 million in the last five years).
  • The current 10‑year CIP (2021‑2031) totals $220 million for 95 flood‑mitigation projects.
  • The Erosion Pilot Program (4 locations) revealed an estimated $1.2 billion in erosion repair needs citywide, with 239 private properties in the “highly unstable” category. The annual capital program for erosion is only $2 million (10% of $20 million annual stormwater revenue).
  • The stormwater fee is $10 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) per month.
  • Major projects highlighted: Bonneville Greenbrook ($8M, construction 2027), Stream JC9 ($25M, construction 2028), and Harvest Hills (7 home acquisitions, channel improvements).
• Council Observations & Questions:
  • Councilmember Ware asked about a “worst‑first” vs. preventive approach; Cannon explained that flood‑prone structures (flooding every rain event) receive highest priority, but preventive maintenance is used for the storm drain system.
  • Councilmember Gonzalez noted the difficulty of explaining erosion issues to residents and thanked staff for their patience.
  • Councilmember Galante pressed for a formal assessment of erosion programs in peer cities (Plano, Austin, Grand Prairie) and suggested creating a dedicated stream‑bank erosion program, given the severe financial burden on homeowners. He reported that dozens of residents in North Arlington face foundation threats and cannot afford repairs.
  • Councilmember Hogg raised a common resident complaint that city‑approved upstream development causes erosion on private property; the mayor deferred liability discussions to a future executive session.
• Key Outcome: Councilmember Galante asked staff to benchmark erosion programs in other cities and report back. The mayor suggested continuing the conversation in executive session.

Strengthen Our Communities Priority Update

• Presenter: Deputy City Manager Jennifer Wickman.
• Highlights:
  • ACTIVE venue: 72,000 scans in Q2, revenue over $350,000.
  • ADA website compliance completed ahead of federal deadline (Q3 FY26).
  • 150th anniversary: 5,000 yard signs distributed; commemorative sculpture in production.
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program: life skills event held with Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County.
  • Neighborhood Engagement: 54 neighborhoods listed; 14 new registrants added in Q2.
  • Recycling: 5% reduction in curbside contamination.
  • Crime: 9% reduction in crimes against persons and property; 9% increase in crimes against society (proactive enforcement).
  • Code Compliance: voluntary compliance rate on track to reach 80% by year‑end; tool‑sharing program continues.
  • Volunteer hours still below pre‑COVID levels; 974 hours in Q2 for animal services.
  • CRS rating of 5 provides a 25% discount on flood insurance for residents.
  • Municipal court collections texting campaign: 292 payments, 70 payment plans.
  • Prescribed burn planned at Blackland Prairie Park (collaboration with fire and parks departments).
• Council Response: No questions were asked; Councilmember Galante commended the report.

Staff Reports

• 4.1 Election Activities at Municipal Polling Places: Councilmember Galante requested a review of signage rules to ensure consistency and safety across polling locations (e.g., to avoid obstructed views). Staff will bring back recommendations.
• 4.2 Health Services Report: Dr. Odom Wesley praised the comprehensive report and urged action to address gaps in health services, particularly the social determinants of health. She will remain involved with the Mayor’s Wellness Coalition in retirement. The mayor suggested presenting the report at an upcoming Wellness Coalition meeting.
• 4.3 Commercial Motor Vehicle Parking: Councilmember Galante objected to a two‑hour grace period for 18‑wheelers parked in residential areas not engaged in loading/unloading. Chief Jones explained a progressive enforcement approach (warning, citation, tow). Heat maps and monthly reports are now provided. Councilmember Galante argued for stricter enforcement; the mayor preferred to keep education as part of the process.
• 4.4 Citywise Software Rental Housing Locator Map: Mindy Cochran introduced the city’s participation in Citywise, the first Texas city to join. The platform allows landlords to list units (including fees) and tenants to filter by criteria. Councilmember Odom Wesley noted that participation is voluntary and praised the program; Councilmember Hogg asked about occupancy data; it will show vacancies. The map goes live by end of the week.
• 4.5 Committee on Community & Neighborhood Development (CND): Councilmember Hogg reported continued work on multifamily inspection standards, aiming for council approval in August/September and implementation by January 2027. Key features: mandatory posting of inspection scores, requiring an in‑state contact for out‑of‑state owners, and annual review of inspection fees. Also discussed a Knox Development senior housing project with a funding gap; multiple strategies are being explored.
• 4.6 Arlington Housing Finance Corporation: Mindy Cochran reported actions: (1) authorizing a new single‑family bond allocation (94 first‑time homebuyers in three years); (2) approving resolutions for the Mayfield Park apartment complex acquisition/rehab to extend affordability and perform significant rehab via partnership with a general partner LLC.

Other Committee Reports

• RTC (June 11): Mayor reported approval of agreements with TxDOT, CRISE grant applications, $40 million for Trinity Metro’s TexRail extension, and updates on transit vision. New RTC officers elected.
• Emergency Preparedness Planning Council: Councilmember Glante reported recognition of Captain Eddie Saldivar (Arlington Fire) for regional preparedness work. Grants update and meeting schedule.
• NCTCOG General Assembly: Councilmember Hogg described a contentious assembly with loud debate; no bylaw changes passed. The new board will review issues including an investigation into Todd Little and a hostile work environment.

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan: Council will receive the draft plan in a binder within a week for review; public engagement starts August 10; adoption anticipated early 2027.
• Stormwater: Staff will benchmark erosion programs in peer cities and report back; potential future executive session on liability.
• Election Signs: Staff to return with uniform signage rules for polling places.
• Multifamily Inspections: Committee to finalize policy; council vote expected August/September.
• Health Services Report: To be presented to the Mayor’s Wellness Coalition for gap analysis.
• All council members were present; the afternoon session adjourned at approximately 5:42 p.m., with the evening session scheduled for 6:30 p.m.