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Record of Proceedings

Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session – December 11, 2024

Planning and Zoning Commission — Wednesday, December 11, 2024
BodyArlington, Texas
SessionPlanning and Zoning Commission
DateWednesday, December 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:01

My name is Dr.

0:02

Ignacio Nunez.

0:03

I serve as chair of the planning and zoning commission for the City of Arlington.

0:07

I hereby call this regularly noticed meeting of the City of Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission regular session to order for December the 4th, 2024.

0:18

This time I will again ask administration to read the speaker guidelines and general decorum.

0:24

Please bear with us.

0:25

The City of Arlington fully embraces the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility where people of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included in the community, and where equitable treatment and outcomes prevail.

0:40

We ask that citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for assistance at and participation in the meeting without fear of intimidation, threats, or hostility.

0:54

Any person making personal, profane, hostile, slanderous, or threatening remarks who uses vulgar or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while addressing the planning and zoning commissioners or while attending the planning and zoning meeting may be removed from the council chambers.

1:15

All speakers shall address the commissioners and not the audience or city staff and shall not call out individually named members of city staff or the public.

1:25

For speakers tonight, when your name is called, please come to the microphone at the podium and state your name and city of residence for the record.

1:33

The applicant will be asked to speak first and will be given 10 minutes to make a presentation.

1:38

Speakers in support or opposition of the item will be given five minutes each to make their statements.

1:44

If there are many speakers for an item, each speaker will be given three minutes to make their statements.

1:50

The applicant will then be given five minutes for any rebuttal.

1:54

If multiple speakers plan to provide the same or similar comments, those speakers may, if they so desire, designate one or more individuals to provide public comment on behalf of the group.

2:06

A bell will signal at the end of each speaker's time in consideration of other speakers.

2:11

Please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bill.

2:15

We ask that you address your comments to the planning and zoning commissioners.

2:19

Thank you very much.

2:21

A copy of the minutes of our November 13th, 2024 regular session agenda meeting were sent to all commissioners in advance.

2:29

Were there any changes or corrections needed to the minutes?

2:32

And uh Commissioner Semter.

2:35

Now is the right time.

2:36

Yes.

2:37

Um p 24-9 had Commissioner Payne making the motion and also the second.

2:43

So I think we need to correct that.

2:47

Who would like to claim the second?

2:50

Do I have a volunteer?

2:53

Commissioner Blake will be marked in the minutes as having made the second.

2:58

And he was in attendance at that meeting.

3:02

So with that change to the minutes, do I have a motion to approve the minutes?

3:08

I have a motion by Commissioner Sumter and a second by Commissioner Blake.

3:14

Please cast your vote.

3:26

Motion passes nine to nothing.

3:28

At this time, uh, we're going to have a presentation by the City of Arlington's bond committee.

3:34

And if you would please step forward and introduce yourself to the audience and us.

3:39

Thank you very much, Lemuel.

3:41

Yes, I think very much.

3:42

Uh Lemuel Randolph, Deputy City Manager.

3:45

On November 13th, you received a full presentation regarding the 26 projects that the 19 member citizens bond committee has selected for recommendation for consideration.

3:57

And so tonight I have a brief presentation in the context of your your pending vote on a resolution of support for this list of recommendations to the city council.

4:09

And so just to set the stage a little bit at your earlier CPAC meeting, obviously, impact fees is the base of that, and it really represents a part of this capital improvement program cycle that we're on on an annual basis.

4:26

But the phase that we're in now as it relates to the bond committee is phase four, which is the bond program development phase.

4:34

And so that's when specific projects are identified, and then ultimately the city council has an opportunity to decide whether they want to support that in terms of a vote of the citizens or not.

4:49

Just to give you a little context to date.

4:52

Yeah, I'm sorry.

4:54

Context to date.

5:00

So in May of this year, we briefed the city council on the whole concept of a bond program.

5:05

And that effort began in May.

5:08

In June, the committee was appointed.

5:12

There were uh I believe 40 applicants for those 19 positions.

5:17

Over the summer, staff were hard at work in developing the updated cost estimates for priority projects.

5:25

And then we also had the debt capacity determined by our finance department at about 198 million on the 27th.

5:33

The committee was officially selected and approved by council, and then the real work began with the committee September and October in particular, with a variety of presentations from staff with respect to all of the identified needs within those areas, as well as a significant and robust opportunity for questions and answers about a variety of topics related to the bond work.

6:04

So the committee charge was to prioritize a list.

6:25

And so this represents the final list of recommendations, 26 projects, divided into the public safety category, libraries, downtown city administrative buildings, parks, and public works taking the majority of the recommendations.

6:47

And so as far as as the next steps, um again, you'll have an opportunity to vote on that resolution of support this evening, and then on the 17th of December, we'll provide a full presentation to the city council with respect to the recommendations that were offered.

7:05

And that will follow with I would imagine you know considerable discussion at the council level for the months of December, January, and then by February 11th is the the date uh legislative the that is required to call a May election.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████46%
Housing████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Downtown Development███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Procedural████4%
Transportation Safety████4%
Economic Development████4%
Public Works████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session – December 11, 2024

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Arlington, Texas, held a regular session on December 11, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting covered the approval of prior minutes, a recommendation from the 2025 Citizens’ Bond Committee, and five zoning cases. Public hearings were held for each zoning item, with discussions on land use, density, traffic, and community impact. Key votes included approval of the bond committee recommendation (7-2) and decisions on multifamily, mixed-use, single-family, and car wash developments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the November 13, 2024, regular session were approved unanimously (9-0) after a correction regarding the motion and second on a prior item.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Zoning Case PD24-10 (300 E Stephens Street): The applicant (Nikki Moore) presented a revised plan for a 324-unit luxury apartment complex with co-working space. Speakers in support included Brian Perry (architect and Arlington Life Shelter board member), who highlighted tax revenue benefits. No speakers in opposition were present, though several commissioners expressed concerns about density and loss of commercial land.
  • Zoning Case PD23-37 (1600 E Pioneer Parkway): The applicant (Audra Buckley) described a mixed-use development with first-floor commercial and residential above. Sue Phillips (East Arlington Renewal and newly appointed International Corridor Committee member) spoke in support, calling the project a "spark plug" for redevelopment. A few neighbors expressed concerns about timing with the existing Chase Bank building and potential gentrification.
  • Zoning Case ZA24-8 (7005 Calendar Road): The applicant (Trevor Truss) requested a straight zoning change to RS-7.2 for 26 single-family homes. Multiple neighbors (Karen Blake, Amy Calabrisi, Andrew Jacobs, Kim Farabee, Pat Calabrisi) spoke in opposition, citing increased density, traffic, school capacity, loss of rural character, and concerns about utilities. The developer (Essa Faroz, architect/builder) responded, offering to meet with neighbors and emphasizing high-quality design.
  • Zoning Case PD24-9 (108 Hosack Street): The applicant (Joyce Stanton and owner Armand Gregorian) proposed seven attached and detached homes near UTA. No public speakers were present. Commissioner questions focused on short-term rental restrictions and materials.
  • Zoning Case PD24-29 (2809 NW Green Oaks Blvd): The applicant (Luis Hernandez) sought to re-establish a car wash use at an existing gas station. No public speakers were present. Commissioner Carter inquired about exterior updates.

Discussion Items

  • 2025 Citizens’ Bond Committee Recommendation: Deputy City Manager Lemuel Randolph presented the committee's 26-project recommendation, totaling an estimated $198 million in debt capacity. Commissioners questioned the financial impact language in the staff report, particularly regarding property tax rates. Commissioner Finley raised inconsistencies between past bond issuances and the 2025 budget showing a debt service rate increase from 0.1818 to 0.1852. After debate, the commission voted 7-2 to send a resolution of support to the City Council.
  • Zoning Case PD24-10 (300 E Stephens Street): The commission debated the request to rezone 9.79 acres from Airport Overlay-General Commercial to Planned Development for RMF-22 uses (324 units). Changes from a previous denial included reduced units, removed garages along streets, added co-working space, and a noise study. Commissioners split: some supported the project as a catalyst for area redevelopment and high-end housing for new jobs; others opposed citing loss of commercial land, proximity to the airport, and existing multifamily vacancies (e.g., The Mark at 65% occupancy). The motion to approve with a condition to paint cementitious fiber board every 10 years failed 5-4.
  • Zoning Case PD23-37 (1600 E Pioneer Parkway): The applicant proposed a mixed-use Planned Development with 60% brick exteriors, ornamental iron fencing, and international corridor-themed banners. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners praised the community engagement and design improvements. The motion passed 7-1 (one abstention).
  • Zoning Case ZA24-8 (7005 Calendar Road): The straight zoning request to RS-7.2 for 26 single-family homes on 6.26 acres drew neighborhood opposition. Commissioners discussed the comprehensive plan’s rural residential designation and lot sizes. A motion to approve passed 8-0.
  • Zoning Case PD24-9 (108 Hosack Street): The commission approved the PD for RM-12 uses (seven units) with conditions: stamped pavestone entry for the motor court, painting/maintenance of fiber cement siding every 10 years, and a prohibition on short-term rentals. The motion passed 8-0.
  • Zoning Case PD24-29 (2809 NW Green Oaks Blvd): The commission approved the PD for Community Commercial plus a car wash, with added restrictions excluding pawn shop and firearm sales. The motion passed 8-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: 2025 Citizens’ Bond Committee Recommendation (7-2); PD23-37 (1600 E Pioneer Parkway) (7-1); ZA24-8 (7005 Calendar Road) (8-0); PD24-9 (108 Hosack Street) (8-0); PD24-29 (2809 NW Green Oaks Blvd) (8-0).
  • Denied: PD24-10 (300 E Stephens Street) failed 5-4; the item will be forwarded to City Council without a recommendation of approval.
  • Directives: For PD24-9, the applicant was directed to include stamped pavestone entry, no short-term rentals, and regular painting of fiber cement siding. For PD24-29, pawn shop and firearm sales were excluded from allowed uses.
  • Next Steps: The bond committee recommendation goes to City Council on December 17, 2024. All approved zoning cases will proceed to City Council for final action. The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2024, with six cases on the agenda.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dr. Ignacio Nunez. I serve as chair of the planning and zoning commission for the City of Arlington. I hereby call this regularly noticed meeting of the City of Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission regular session to order for December the 4th, 2024. This time I will again ask administration to read the speaker guidelines and general decorum. Please bear with us. The City of Arlington fully embraces the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility where people of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included in the community, and where equitable treatment and outcomes prevail. We ask that citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for assistance at and participation in the meeting without fear of intimidation, threats, or hostility. Any person making personal, profane, hostile, slanderous, or threatening remarks who uses vulgar or obscene language, who engages in any other actions that disturb or calculated to disturb the meeting, or who becomes disruptive while addressing the planning and zoning commissioners or while attending the planning and zoning meeting may be removed from the council chambers. All speakers shall address the commissioners and not the audience or city staff and shall not call out individually named members of city staff or the public. For speakers tonight, when your name is called, please come to the microphone at the podium and state your name and city of residence for the record. The applicant will be asked to speak first and will be given 10 minutes to make a presentation. Speakers in support or opposition of the item will be given five minutes each to make their statements. If there are many speakers for an item, each speaker will be given three minutes to make their statements. The applicant will then be given five minutes for any rebuttal. If multiple speakers plan to provide the same or similar comments, those speakers may, if they so desire, designate one or more individuals to provide public comment on behalf of the group. A bell will signal at the end of each speaker's time in consideration of other speakers. Please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bill. We ask that you address your comments to the planning and zoning commissioners. Thank you very much. A copy of the minutes of our November 13th, 2024 regular session agenda meeting were sent to all commissioners in advance. Were there any changes or corrections needed to the minutes? And uh Commissioner Semter. Now is the right time. Yes. Um p 24-9 had Commissioner Payne making the motion and also the second. So I think we need to correct that. Who would like to claim the second? Do I have a volunteer? Commissioner Blake will be marked in the minutes as having made the second. And he was in attendance at that meeting. So with that change to the minutes, do I have a motion to approve the minutes? I have a motion by Commissioner Sumter and a second by Commissioner Blake. Please cast your vote. Motion passes nine to nothing. At this time, uh, we're going to have a presentation by the City of Arlington's bond committee. And if you would please step forward and introduce yourself to the audience and us. Thank you very much, Lemuel. Yes, I think very much. Uh Lemuel Randolph, Deputy City Manager. On November 13th, you received a full presentation regarding the 26 projects that the 19 member citizens bond committee has selected for recommendation for consideration. And so tonight I have a brief presentation in the context of your your pending vote on a resolution of support for this list of recommendations to the city council. And so just to set the stage a little bit at your earlier CPAC meeting, obviously, impact fees is the base of that, and it really represents a part of this capital improvement program cycle that we're on on an annual basis. But the phase that we're in now as it relates to the bond committee is phase four, which is the bond program development phase. And so that's when specific projects are identified, and then ultimately the city council has an opportunity to decide whether they want to support that in terms of a vote of the citizens or not. Just to give you a little context to date. Yeah, I'm sorry. Context to date. So in May of this year, we briefed the city council on the whole concept of a bond program.

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