Arlington City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026 – Proclamations, Gas Well Permits, and New Council Member Sworn In
Arlington City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026
The City Council met on June 23, 2026, for a regular meeting that began around 12:15 PM and extended into the evening. The agenda included proclamations celebrating Arlington’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th, recognition of outgoing Council Member Dr. Barbara Odom Wesley, swearing-in of new District 8 Council Member Dr. Jason Shelton, a consent agenda with numerous routine items, public hearings on a daycare special use permit, a tourism improvement district expansion, an access easement for a QuickTrip development, and two gas well drilling permits. The council also reconsidered and approved a multifamily zoning case (Campbell Place) that had been denied at a previous meeting.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- Arlington 150th Anniversary: Mayor Jim Ross proclaimed 2026 as Arlington’s sesquicentennial year. State Representatives Chris Turner and Tony Tinderholt presented a Texas House resolution honoring the city’s history and growth. The mayor noted that yard signs and community events (band performance, July 4th parade) are underway.
- America 250 Celebration: A proclamation was accepted by Nancy Bergville of the Daughters of the American Revolution, designating July 4, 2026, as a celebration of the nation’s 250th independence anniversary, with bell-ringing before the parade.
- Junior League of Arlington 50 Years: The council recognized the Junior League’s five decades of service, including the interactive fountain at Founders Plaza and support for Levitt Pavilion. The organization is dissolving but will continue grants through the Junior League of Arlington Charitable Fund.
- Dr. Barbara Odom Wesley: The council honored outgoing at-large District 8 Council Member Dr. Odom Wesley, the first Black woman elected to the Arlington City Council. A Congressional Record statement from U.S. Representative Mark Veasey was read. Council members praised her leadership, mentorship, and dedication. Dr. Odom Wesley expressed gratitude and noted she tried to serve without embarrassing her family.
- Swearing-In of Dr. Jason Shelton: Dr. Jason Shelton was sworn in as the new District 8 Council Member, replacing Dr. Odom Wesley. The ceremony included a symbolic passing of a baton.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda included 18 minute orders, 6 ordinances, and 20 resolutions covering routine contracts, purchases, zoning amendments (including gas well drill zone approvals for the Stoner and Landing sites), grant acceptances, settlements, and legislative agendas. Two items (the gas well drill zone approvals) were pulled for separate public comment. The consent agenda was approved unanimously on a motion by Councilmember Hogg with a second by Councilmember Pham.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gas Well Drill Zone (Stoner – Item 11.22): Three speakers in opposition (Ranjana Bandari, Keegan Dean, and a non-speaking opponent) cited health concerns. Bandari presented statistics showing that all 76 Arlington ISD schools lie within two miles of at least three active drilling sites, with 18 schools within two miles of ten or more sites. Keegan Dean shared personal stories of childhood cancer and respiratory issues, urging the council to prioritize residents over corporations.
- Gas Well Drill Zone (Landing – Item 11.23): Ranjana Bandari also spoke in opposition, citing Texas A&M research linking fracking to increased risks of birth defects (25% higher), a 7% rise in radioactive pollution downwind, and a 40% increase in ambient radiation in the Fort Worth area since fracking began. A second speaker, Tammy Carson, questioned whether the city truly puts people over profit and called for council members to vote against fracking.
- Daycare Special Use Permit (Item 14.1): Two speakers in support: applicant Kristen Parker described the proposed Little Saints Preschool (30–40 students, ages 2–5) at St. Albans Anglican Church, emphasizing faith-based education, low ratios, and community service. Father Joseph Francis spoke on behalf of the church, noting the church had run a preschool decades earlier.
- Multifamily Rezoning – Campbell Place (Item 15.1): After the council voted to reconsider the previously denied case, speaker Jim Maybach (representing the seller) and applicant Zachary Cavender presented the project: 78 multifamily units at 9.5 units per acre on 2.45 acres near US 287, with 57% open space and a dedicated pre-K center open to the public. They noted the project received a resolution of support from council in February and detailed changes made after the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting (sidewalk extension, EV charging, bike racks, enhanced screening). Councilmembers expressed support, noting it serves a needed area and fits with long-range plans.
- Citizen Participation: Two speakers addressed off-agenda items. One urged expansion of the police white-collar crimes division, citing personal experience of a financial crime that cost $50,000 to prosecute. The other described a severe mosquito infestation and erosion problem near a stormwater drainage area, requesting city action.
Discussion Items
- Gas Well Permits (Items 14.4 and 14.5): Staff presented permits for one well at the Stoner pad (GW 26-005) and one well at the Landing pad (GW 26-006). The Railroad Commission had already issued permits. Speakers opposed, citing health and environmental justice concerns. Clayton Waters (speaking in opposition) emphasized that black and brown families disproportionately live near drill sites and urged the council to use its authority over above-ground activity to require continuous clean-air monitoring. The council approved both permits unanimously.
- Daycare Special Use Permit (St. Albans): Approved unanimously after a motion and second. Councilmember Hogg noted the city needs more preschools and praised the church’s history.
- Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) Expansion: Staff requested to include Caravan Court Hotel (143 rooms) in the TPID, bringing total to 51 hotels. Councilmember Garcia Dumas praised the hotel’s community commitment. Approved unanimously.
- QuickTrip Access Easement at Lake Arlington Golf Course: Staff presented a proposed easement and maintenance agreement for shared driveways, right-turn-only access, and QT-funded improvements (deceleration lane, motorized gate, fencing, trash enclosures, sand bins, painting, conduit). Councilmember Gonzalez clarified that no traffic signal is planned and access will be right-in/right-out only. Councilmember Hogg commended the compromise for safety. Approved unanimously.
- Camppell Place Rezoning (PD 26-03): After a successful motion to reconsider, the council approved the first reading of the planned development ordinance, with clarifying language that the pre-K center must be built and open to the public. The development includes 78 apartments, a pre-K center, and 57% open space. Councilmember Gonzalez noted the changes from the original denial. Approved on a motion by Councilmember Pham and second by Councilmember Ware.
Key Outcomes
- Election Canvass: Results of the June 13, 2026 runoff election for District 8 were canvassed, confirming Dr. Jason Shelton as the winner.
- Boards & Commissions Appointments: 47 individuals were appointed to various boards, including the Animal Services Advisory Board, Building Code Board of Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, and others.
- Executive Session Item: A resolution was approved authorizing settlement for acquisition of 1,188 square feet at 301 and 305 East Division Street for sidewalk and landscaping improvements.
- Consent Agenda Approved: All 44 items were adopted.
- Gas Well Drill Zones Approved: The council approved the drill zone extensions for Stoner and Landing sites (consent items 11.22 and 11.23) despite public opposition.
- Daycare SUP Approved: Little Saints Preschool at St. Albans Anglican Church was granted a Specific Use Permit.
- TPID Expansion Approved: Caravan Court Hotel added to the Tourism Public Improvement District.
- QuickTrip Easement Approved: Access and maintenance agreement for a QuickTrip at Lake Arlington Golf Course.
- Gas Well Permits Approved: Drilling permits for one well each at Stoner and Landing pads.
- Campbell Place Rezoning Approved on Reconsideration: The council reversed its earlier denial and approved the PD 26-03 on first reading with strengthened pre-K requirements.
- Future Planning: The council adopted resolutions setting federal and state legislative agendas for 2027–2028.
- Next Meeting: The meeting adjourned after announcements about upcoming World Cup events and rebroadcast schedules.
Meeting Transcript
So we can agree with different platillos that usually in Mexico accompanied the cafecito and pasatiempo. Come over here and come back to the truck. Running back. We had gotten a complaint from a apartment complex. A citizen called in saying that one of her neighbors was outside by the staircase, uh beating their dog and throwing her against the wall and then throwing her down the stairs. Once we finally caught up to her and, you know, we were able to get her. Uh we kind of took a look at her and uh she had uh like a black eye and uh some bruising and stuff on her teeth and her gums where she'd been hitting her face. After speaking with the owner, he showed me his hand, and his hand didn't quite match up with the wounds from a bite. So my interaction with Sadie um from the get-go is very friendly. Um she was always wanting to be loved on. She never really regressed in kind of any kind of stress behavior, she never exhibited any aggressive behaviors towards me while I was observing her during those first 10 days of uh bike quarantine. Her most aggressive trait is her licking you to death. Whenever an animal comes in for bike quarantine, it is usually not common for them to be adopted out. Um it's actually against our protocol, and I act I do have to get documents signed from our manager, our shelter manager to allow that. With Sadie, I was really certain that we wouldn't have any kind of backlash or any kind of um negative interaction with her with any citizen that would adopt her. I found Sadie through my wife. She was on Facebook. She's coming home with us. She was just a great dog, and I was happy for her to get a second chance of just you know being able to be loved by somebody that really truly deserved to have her. Dick and Drink has officially opened in the Tiffany Park shopping center off Cooper in Mayfield. It features nine championship size courts plus a bar and kitchen, making it a place to play, hang out and celebrate a good match. Now let's talk about something for the kids and honestly the whole family. Arlington is getting a couple of new indoor spots where kids can climb, play, and burn off some serious energy. First up, launch family entertainment launches over 39,000 square feet of arcades, attractions, and family entertainment under one roof, set to open later this year. Then heading north on Cooper Street, Kids' Empires, opening in the Town North Shopping center near West Randall Mill, bringing in indoor playground where kids can climb, explore, and burn off some of that serious energy. And speaking of energy, Altitude Trampoline Park, it's taking over where Chuck E. Cheese was next to Kroger off Fielder Road. They're claiming it will be the largest trampoline park in all of DFW, offering big air, climbing, slides, arcades, coffee for the parents, and zip lines. It's set to open this spring. Let's head over to East Arlington where two projects are expanding the area's international scene. Located off Sherry Street between East Pioneer Parkway and East Arkansas Lane. The Asia City Center development will include three buildings that offer a variety of businesses, including the popular Trung Win Coffee, Vietnamese restaurants, drinks, hot pot, and more. Development will also feature Tesla charging stations. It's expected to open late summer or fall. And just to the west, Benton Plaza is growing. A new building on the east side of the plaza will add more than 15,000 square feet with room for nine new tenants, bringing even more shops and restaurants to the area. And that's what's going there, Arlington. See something being built and wondering about it, send it our way, and we might feature it in the next episode. See you next time, Arlington. I always get excited when I'm walking to ballpark in the morning. If you look at every bolt that you see, and there are ton of them around here with all the steel that we have, you know, there was a man or a woman with a ranch there that was tightening every one of those, and that really reminds me and gives me great context in terms of the amount of effort that went into building this building in 31 months, too. Nolan Ryan is actually the connection from my beginning in baseball back in 1986 to the time I arrived here in Arlington in 2008. My first three seasons in baseball were with the Astros 8687 and 88. And those were the last three seasons that Nolan pitched for the Astros before he came to the Rangers. So when he became president here in 2008, I had actually left the Astros and was working in Detroit for the Tigers at that time. And he called one day and said, Hey, what are you doing up there in Detroit? We need to get you back to Texas. Working for both Texas franchises is pretty cool. So not only have gone to the World Series for the first time with each franchise, but to have had a hand in development of their current new ballparks, if you will. One of the things I love about Arlington is just the can-do attitude of people here.
openpublica.com