Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session – May 1, 2024

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Arlington, Texas, convened in regular session on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 5:34 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. Chairperson Linda Gibson presided. The meeting included approval of minutes, four public hearings for zoning cases, and adjournment at an unspecified time. Below is a summary of actions taken.

Approval of Minutes

• II.A – Minutes of the April 17, 2024 regular session were approved by a vote of 7 in favor, 0 opposed, with Commissioner Ware abstaining.

Public Hearings for Zoning Cases

III.A – Zoning Case SUP08-28R2 (Duke Drill Site and Drill Zone)

• Request: Amend an existing Specific Use Permit (SUP) for gas drilling by establishing a drill zone on 7.399 acres zoned Industrial Manufacturing (IM) at 1011 West Harris Road.
• Staff Presentation: Cecilia Labor, Gas Well Coordinator, presented the proposal. The site is in an industrial area; the nearest protected use is 590 feet from an existing wellhead. The landscaping plan includes 47 three-inch caliper trees. Two petitions of opposition and one of support were received within the quarter-mile notification area.
• Applicant Statement: Leslie Garvis of Total Energies stated the site already has 10 wells; five new wells are proposed. A masonry fence is being installed. Dust mitigation plans were described. No concerns were raised by nearby residents at a community outreach meeting.
• Public Comments: No members of the public spoke.
• Outcome: Motion to approve (Commissioner Nunez, seconded by Commissioner Ware) carried 8-0.

III.B – Zoning Case SUP22-3R1 (2118 East Abram Street)

• Request: Revision to the approved ordinance for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Used Vehicle Sales on 1.63 acres zoned General Commercial (GC) at 2118 East Abram Street.
• Staff Presentation: Kevin Charles, Principal Planner, explained that the existing SUP (approved in 2022) is non-assignable and non-transferable, tied to the individual applicant, Mohammed Massi Patan. The applicant sought to remove that restriction so the SUP runs with the property.
• Applicant Statements: Mohammed Massi Patan and his brother, Mohammed Idris Patan, argued that tying the SUP to an individual creates legal and financial risks for tenants and heirs. They stated they have no plan to sell but want flexibility. They noted the original application was submitted by an LLC (GPA International LLC) and that similar SUPs (e.g., Kent Cadillac) are tied to the property, not a person.
• Commissioner Discussion: Commissioners expressed reluctance to remove the individual tie, noting that the SUP was an exception granted due to the applicant’s reputation and community support. They suggested legal counsel to craft a compromise but indicated they would vote no without a clear agreement.
• Outcome: Motion to approve (Commissioner Nunez, seconded by Commissioner Payne) failed 1-7 (only Commissioner Carter voted aye). The applicant was advised of the right to appeal to City Council.

III.C – Zoning Case PD24-4 (2331 Ascension Boulevard)

• Request: Change zoning from Planned Development (PD) for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to PD for Residential Medium-Density-12 (RM-12) to construct a cottage community with 14 units on 1.840 acres at 2331 Ascension Boulevard.
• Staff Presentation: Cecilia Nelson, Planner, detailed the proposal including 14 cottages (one-bedroom 760 sq ft, two-bedroom 920 sq ft), a community room, dog park, edible garden, and preservation of 20 existing live oak trees. Staff recommended conditions: a six-foot wrought iron fence with masonry columns along Ascension, a pedestrian gate, and other site plan modifications (moving a landscape island, adding private yards). The applicant agreed to all conditions.
• Applicant Statements: Galen Lang, architect, and George Jensen, owner, described the vision for affordable workforce housing with discounted rents for teachers, nurses, firefighters, and police. Jensen shared his personal story and commitment to quality.
• Public Comments: No members of the public spoke.
• Outcome: Motion to approve with staff conditions (Commissioner Ware, seconded by Commissioner Greer) carried 7-1 (Commissioner Carter voted nay).

III.D – Zoning Case SUP24-5 (1808 Southeast Parkway)

• Request: Specific Use Permit (SUP) for an Auto Service Center on 0.43 acres (part of 0.872-acre lot) zoned Light Industrial (LI) at 1808 Southeast Parkway.
• Staff Presentation: Amy Lopez, Planner, noted the site contains an unfinished, illegally constructed three-bay auto service center. The project proposes completing the structure with an office. Staff recommended reorienting bay doors away from the right-of-way and increasing landscaping buffers. The property is in an established residential area; the proposed use is inconsistent with the area’s residential goals.
• Applicant Statement: Mike Al Turk (ADTM Engineering) stated the owner was misled into beginning construction without permits. He expressed willingness to reorient the building and comply with all requirements. He noted the owner also owns an adjacent property and plans to improve it in five years.
• Commissioner Discussion: Commissioner Ware suggested a continuance to allow the applicant to submit a site plan showing the reoriented building. However, staff clarified that an SUP requires full compliance with the Unified Development Code, and no deviations would be allowed. The applicant chose to proceed to a vote that evening rather than continue.
• Outcome: Motion to approve with staff considerations (Commissioner Greer, seconded by Commissioner Payne) failed 2-5-1 (Chairperson Gibson and Commissioner Carter voted aye; Commissioner Nunez abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Duke Drill Site SUP amendment (8-0) and Ascension Boulevard cottage community PD (7-1).
• Denied: 2118 East Abram Street SUP revision (1-7) and 1808 Southeast Parkway SUP for auto service center (2-5-1).
• Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 5:30 PM.