Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting July 17, 2024
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Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session – July 17, 2024
The Planning and Zoning Commission of Arlington, Texas, convened on July 17, 2024, at 5:46 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting addressed three zoning cases: a cottage community development, a revision to a single-family subdivision plan, and a specific use permit for a banquet hall. All three items were approved, with conditions.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (June 26, 2024): Motion by Commissioner Blake, seconded by Commissioner Payne, carried with 7 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 abstentions (Commissioners Blake and Sumpter).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Zoning Case PD23-39 (Dan Gould Cottage Community):
- Georgie Zhang (Arlington, TX) – Supported the project as a conduit to home ownership, highlighting that 8 of 22 units are for displaced families, rent-controlled, and that the development corporation (DCTC) has a track record of success. She noted that staff concerns about parking have been addressed by removing two units and that the area lacks affordable housing options.
- Charlie Price (DCTC President) – Explained the organization’s mission and commitment to the neighborhood, noting that they have other projects to place families after their two-year stay.
- Mike Marshall (Salvation Army Family Life Center Chair) – Emphasized the need for transitional housing for families leaving shelters, supporting the project as a safe, clean option.
- Zoning Case PD23-26 (Veritas Way):
- Support: Tina Ward (Arlington, TX) – Encouraged preserving sidewalks and noted the need for an entry from Pecondale for safety.
- Opposition:
- Timmy Hazel (Arlington, TX, member of Impact) – Requested preservation of large trees, citing ecological benefits; noted this is the third PD on the property.
- Julie Hunt (Arlington, TX) – Asked for preservation of trees >30 caliper inches and proposed amending the tree ordinance.
- Grace Darling (Arlington Conservation Council) – Called the reduction from 35% to 26% tree preservation “unconscionable” and urged the commission to deny the project.
- Developer Reginald Rembert (Flower Mound, TX) – Explained that 50-foot lots make tree preservation difficult, but agreed to 29% preservation and 4-inch caliper replacement trees.
- Zoning Case SUP24-7 (Bowen Road Banquet Hall):
- LaDon Hall (Arlington, TX) – Spoke in support, outlining the applicant’s community engagement plans (mentorships, school supply drives, food bank partnerships) and commitment to security.
- Applicant Cordelia D. Odayo – Stated that alcohol is BYOB, not sold, and that security will be present for larger events.
Discussion Items
- PD23-39 (Dan Gould Cottage Community):
- Staff presented a proposed development of 14 cottages and 8 duplex units (22 total) on 1.966 acres, with deviations from UDC standards (buffer yard, parking, etc.). The applicant agreed to staff recommendations for architectural enhancements, lighting, visitor parking, and fencing. The commission debated parking adequacy and tree preservation (13% preserved). Commissioners expressed support for the project’s affordable housing mission. Motion passed 8-1 (Commissioner Carter dissenting).
- PD23-26 (Veritas Way):
- Staff reported a proposal for 28 single-family homes on 5.499 acres, seeking a reduction in tree preservation from 35% (UDC) to 26% (proposed), with deviations from sidewalk requirements. The previous approved plan had 29% preservation. Commissioners and public speakers urged higher tree preservation. The developer agreed to 29% preservation, 4-inch caliper replacement trees, and to meet all staff considerations except the original tree percentage. After discussion, the commission approved the motion (9-0).
- SUP24-7 (Bowen Road Banquet Hall):
- Staff presented a request for a 3,500 sq. ft. banquet hall in an existing shopping center at 333 South Bowen Road, with 35 parking spaces required (provided). The applicant agreed to staff conditions. Discussion centered on alcohol (BYOB) and security. Commissioners debated requiring security for events with alcohol; the applicant agreed to have security for events with more than 50 patrons. The motion passed 9-0 with that condition.
Key Outcomes
- PD23-39 (Dan Gould Cottage Community): Approved 8-1 (Commissioner Carter opposed). Conditions include architectural enhancements, pedestrian lighting, visitor parking, and fencing for cottages.
- PD23-26 (Veritas Way): Approved 9-0. Conditions: tree preservation at 29% (up from 26%), 4-inch caliper replacement trees, four-inch caliper street trees, sidewalks, wrought iron fence at detention lot, and additional landscaping at entry.
- SUP24-7 (Bowen Road Banquet Hall): Approved 9-0. Conditions as per staff report plus on-site security for events with more than 50 patrons. The SUP is non-transferable and tied to the applicant.
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 7, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening again, ladies and gentlemen. I'm going to call this regular session of the Planning and Zoning Commission to order. And I this meeting is sort of bad living here. I hereby call this regularly notice meeting of the City of Orange's Planning and Zoning Commission regular session to order for July 17, 2024. We're going to skip reading the speaker guidelines since I read them once already. They were the same. Next item of business is the approval of the minutes. A copy of the minutes of our June 26, 2024 regular session agenda was sent to all the commissioners in advance. Were there any changes or corrections that were needed to the minutes? Hearing none. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes? And is there a second? I have a motion by Commissioner Blake and a second by Commissioner Payne. Please cast your votes. Motion passes. Next on our agenda, we have three zoning cases. The first case this evening is zoning case PD 23-29 with the general addresses of 1117, 1219, and 1221, Dan Gould Road. Application for approval of a change in zoning from residential estate to planned development for residential medium density RM12 for a cottage community with a development plan on approximately 1.966 acres. At this time, I will call on staff to present its report on zoning case PD 23-29. Good evening, Commissioners. For the record, Kevin Charles, principal planner, planning and development services. Before you is PD 23 39. Also known as 1117, 1219, and 1221 Dan Gould Drive. As previously mentioned, the site is approximately two acres in size. Currently is on residential estate. The request is for a PDM PD for RM12 for cottage community uses with a development plan. This is a location map. This is a view of the subject site, uh, viewing it from Dan Good Drive looking north. Uh the property directly across the street to the south. This is a view of Dan Gould Drive to show the bar ditches and the the black the asphalt top uh road and the rural nature of the community. And this is the other subject site that is uh one 117 slash 119. Um Dan Gould Drive. So again, the request uh is for uh PD for RM12 for cottage community commute uh uses with a development plan. The cottage community standards in the UDC are intended to establish the base standard for their small single-family and two-family uh cottage dwellings, uh, provide an orderly and responsive transition to and create a buffer between single family attached and detached areas from more intensive uses such as multifamily uses, commercial lots, and our arterial roadways. Control the development scale, provide for common areas within the cottage communities, and ensure compatibility with the residential design standards of the UDC. Encourage innovative site planning and variety in housing, and provide consistent opportunities for equal uh for quality small single family cottage communities. The development shows 14 cottages and eight duplex units and four structures. The development plan analysis. The development proposes 22 three-bedroom cottages and duplexes. The cottage units are 1284 square feet in floor area. The duplex units are 1,341 square feet in floor area. The sites are designed to encourage outdoor activities through the inclusion of courtyards, benches, and gazebo and/or pergola. The street-facing units along Dan Gould Drive present a front yard front door and porched areas visible from the public right-away with the 20 20-foot front yard setback. A dual dumpster enclosures proposed on site to handle refuse and recycling for each individual for each lot. Each unit has a minimum 60 square foot porch in conformance with the UDC. There are 14 of these units proposed. The duplex floor plan units have one elevation with the with proposed brick exterior. There are four duplexes proposed with eight units in there. Additionally, the duplex units are proposed to be located in the rear of the development in order to give the development a more single-family detached appearance by placing the cottages adjacent to the public right-of-way. Each front yard area near the entry of the units has ornamental trees, six shrubs, and ground cover.
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