OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session - January 21, 2026

Planning and Zoning CommissionWednesday, January 21, 2026
BodyArlington, Texas
SessionPlanning and Zoning Commission
DateWednesday, January 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening again.

0:01

My name is Dr.

0:02

Ignacio Nunez.

0:03

Uh I still serve as chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Arlington.

0:07

I here brought call this regularly noticed meeting of the City of Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission regular session to order for January the 21st, 2026.

0:17

At this time, I'll ask our administrator to read our speaker guidelines and general decorum for tonight's meeting.

0:27

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

0:41

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 are 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.

1:05

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.

1:16

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.

1:25

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

1:31

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

1:38

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

1:45

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

1:51

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

2:08

A bell will signal the end of each speaker's time.

2:11

In consideration of other speakers, please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bell.

2:17

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

2:23

Thank you very much.

2:25

I'm gonna uh skip ahead just a little bit.

2:28

If there is anyone here that was going to speak on our second case tonight, CA25-5 addressed at 2415 South Cooper.

2:37

That particular uh case has been uh withdrawn.

2:41

The only vote we're gonna have tonight on that is to continue it indefinitely.

2:45

So if you're here, you can go home.

2:47

Just for the record, the case hasn't been withdrawn, but they have requested an indefinite continuance and tonight's agenda.

2:56

We're asking for a vote to indefinitely continue the case.

3:00

Thank you very much for that uh correction.

3:04

Uh so first item of business is to uh approve the minutes and uh no again.

3:10

We're not going to approve the minutes of January the 14th tonight.

3:14

We will approve the minutes of the 14th and tonight's meeting, the 21st.

3:19

Uh, and we'll vote on those on February the 4th at the 2026 regular session meeting.

3:24

Next on the agenda, we have one zoning case, SUP 25-11 addressed at 536 West Randall Mill Road.

3:33

An application for a specific use permit for a tattoo parlor or piercing studio on a property zoned community commercial on approximately 0.22 acres.

3:45

This time I'll call on our staff to present its report on this case.

3:50

Good evening, commissioners for the record.

3:52

Cecilia Nelson, senior planner, planning and development services, here to present zoning case SUP 25-11.

3:59

The subject site is approximately 0.22 acres and addressed as 536 West Reynolds Mill Road.

4:05

It is located south of West Reynoldmill Road and east of South Cooper Street.

4:09

The property is currently zoned community commercial.

4:12

The proposed use is a tattoo parlor or piercing studio limited to two spaces within the existing salon.

4:18

The tattoo parlor or piercing studio is permitted within the community commercial zoning district via approval of the specific use permit.

4:28

The UDC defines a tattoo parlor or piercing studio as an establishment whose principal business activity, either in terms of operation or as held out to the public, is the practice of one or more of the following.

4:39

Placing of designs, letters, figures, symbols, or other marks upon or under the skin of any person using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration of the skin by means of the use of needles or other instruments designed to contact or puncture the skin.

4:55

Creation of an opening in the body of a person other than the airlobe for the purpose of inserting jewelry and plants or other decoration.

5:03

A tattoo parlor does not include establishments whose principal business activity is permanent cosmetics, microblading, micro pigmentation, and other similar personal care services.

5:15

Outlined in yellow is the subject property.

5:18

Here are photos of the site.

5:23

The existing commercial property consists of various lease spaces.

5:27

The uses in the center include a grocery store, restaurants, personal services, pharmacy, office, and retail store.

5:33

The salon suite currently occupies 9,551 square feet of the 9.4 acre lot.

5:39

There are 55 individual lease spaces used for hair, nail, barber, and aesthetic services.

5:44

The request is to add two of the lease spaces for tattoo or piercing studios.

5:50

This shows the existing floor plan of the salon.

5:54

This is a saturation map of tattoo parlor piercing studios around the proposed property.

6:02

This area falls into the con established residential future development category of the comprehensive plan.

6:08

This area covers the largest portion of the city and contains a variety of housing types as well as retail services.

6:14

Per the comprehensive plan, people living in these areas would enjoy the benefits of neighborhood parks, schools, and community recreation centers.

6:20

The proposed development may be seen to advance the following strategies identified within the develop our land section of the comprehensive plan.

6:27

Promote land use patterns that reflect a mix of integrated community uses, evaluate development proposals in context with existing infrastructure connectivity and surrounding uses.

6:38

Ensure a balanced relationship between land use development and the transportation system by requiring that developments be appropriate for the proposed location, encourage appropriate redevelopments and reinvestment that creates lasting value.

6:50

Continue to require streetscape improvements as a part of the new developments, redevelopments, and substantial expansions.

6:58

If the commission is inclined to approve the request, staff has the following recommendations for the project.

7:05

One, the specific use permit is granted specifically to the applicant.

7:09

This SUP shall be non-assignable and non-transferable.

7:12

The SUP shall be immediately revoked upon the sale lease or assignment of the property to any person or entity other than the applicant.

7:20

Any increase in intensity of the use and/or addition to the structure or space for the use shall require an amendment.

7:26

And there is a third recommendation since work session, and it is the use will be limited to two suites with a max square footage of 330 square feet total.

7:38

The applicant is Thanos Ventures LLC.

7:40

The owner is town North Arlington Partners LLC.

7:43

Staff has received one letter of opposition.

7:46

Staff is available for any questions.

7:49

Are there any questions of staff at this time?

7:51

Commissioner Blake.

7:52

You said we did receive one letter.

7:54

Is that the only letter or comment we got from the neighborhood?

7:57

Thank you.

7:59

Any other questions?

8:00

Commissioner, thank you.

8:04

Apologies if uh was a network session, so if this question was already answered, so the legal description was for the point two two acres, which is the actual overall lease space for the salon.

8:16

And there was a consideration for within that area, it's only two, I guess, suites.

8:23

Yes.

8:24

How do we know which suites those would be?

8:27

So we have um added a condition after work session that limits the use to the square footage of two salon spaces.

8:35

So in those two are not defined.

8:37

Correct.

8:37

Yes, it's just the square footage of up to two.

8:41

Thank you.

8:43

Thank you.

8:44

Any other questions at this time.

8:47

Thank you very much.

8:49

Um we have one speaker tonight from the applicant, I believe.

8:54

Uh Ghadar, uh the good car.

8:58

Do you have a slideshow presentation?

9:01

I do.

9:02

You do?

9:02

Okay.

9:03

They'll put it up for you.

9:04

So if you will simply state your full name and the city that you live in, we don't need an address where you live, just the city.

9:12

Yep.

9:12

Uh so my name is Gedar Negurkar, and I live in Pleno, Texas.

9:16

Okay.

9:20

So good evening, Chair and Commissioners.

9:23

Uh I just stated my name, Kedar Negurkar, and I'm here uh to request uh specific use permit uh for two tattoo studios inside of uh Phoenix Alan Suites uh that I own uh in the town north shopping center.

9:40

Uh so this is just uh location and context.

9:43

Uh I think this was stated previously, but it's uh on the intersection of Cooper and Randall Mill Road, and then within the town north shopping center.

9:53

Um side you see the premises of uh Phoenix Salon Suites.

10:00

The address is 536 West Randall Mill Road.

10:02

The total area is 9,551 square feet.

10:10

This is the exterior.

10:19

This is the drawing of the interior.

10:24

It's 55 individual studios occupying 9,551 square feet.

10:30

Every studio has a hot and cold sink, and they are functionally identical.

10:38

And so the request is for any two of these studios to be to be used for tattoo.

10:47

So the request at a glance allow two studios for tattoo services.

11:48

Scheduling, each studio is a fully private studio with a with a door that remains closed during the during the service.

12:03

Somebody is there majority of the day at least five or six days a week.

12:08

Professional conduct, same standards as existing personal services.

12:23

Violations are enforceable.

12:29

To recap request two tattoo studios within the existing tenant suite, interior only, no exterior changes, no new signage, appointment-based operations, tenants will be properly licensed and will comply with DSHS standards.

12:48

Owner accepts reasonable conditions from the city.

13:07

Okay.

13:22

So I think we just added a condition of 350 square feet, which is the size of the two larger studios.

13:44

And so I'm certainly not looking to drive out the tenants that I already have to make more room for tattoo.

13:54

It's just sort of adding one more use to all the tenants that are already there.

14:00

Congratulations.

14:01

Thank you.

14:18

As a business owner, it is not in my interest to have any tenant that makes other tenants unhappy for whatever reason.

14:33

Most of the tenants have my phone number.

14:36

Most of the complaints so far are along the nature of somebody's playing music a bit too loudly.

14:43

But I keep a close watch, and it is it is in my interest to make sure all the existing tenants are happy, and any new tenant that moves in does not change that dynamics.

15:00

Uh and then I think in terms of the reputation of tattoo profession.

15:04

Um I guess I'll go ahead and say I don't have any tattoos, nor do I plan to uh have them, but but I think maybe some of the reputation they have is is uh deserved.

15:16

I think some of it is a function of a lot of stitch cities relegate tattoo studios through zoning and ordinances to the rougher parts, and then it's a little bit of chicken and egg.

15:28

Uh but uh I did ask all my existing tenants.

15:33

I think most of a lot of them have tattoos themselves, and they were very supportive, and some of them actually didn't understand what the concern was.

15:42

So I do I as the owner of that location, I feel confident that I'll be able to add tenants with the appropriate screening uh and and make sure that uh the conduct is professional at all times.

16:00

Thank you.

16:03

The hours of the tattoo artists will be the same hours as the uh salon?

16:08

Yeah, so uh so that it's 8 a.m.

16:10

to 8 p.m.

16:11

Uh they do have uh the ability to unlock the door outside of those hours uh if if they need to.

16:18

Um you know, but again, I think they they would have to uh sort of unlock it and uh occupy or or work outside of those hours and then let somebody in and again it's appointment based.

16:36

Uh are there any other questions from the commissioners?

16:41

Okay, Commissioner Sumter and then Commissioner Carter, sorry, guys.

16:49

Um do you mind putt pulling up your floor plan?

16:53

The floor plan.

16:54

Can you identify the the two suites that you're saying would be the 300 square feet?

17:02

Oh, so the double ones are 115 and 145.

17:08

And I'm not saying those those are actually already occupied.

17:11

I think from the standpoint of the city making sure that you know I don't uh increase the intensity.

17:22

The maxi the the two biggest studios are 115 and 145, kind of right in the middle.

17:28

Each of them is 165 square feet, and I guess in the sort of the uppermost boundary would be if both of those were leased to tattoo artists, that would constitute 330 square feet.

17:41

But again, at the moment, those there's uh hairstylists there, and most of the the ones that are available are standard, which is about 110 square feet each.

17:52

So then it potentially could be three suites if it's the smaller ones.

17:57

No, so I think it's two suites.

18:00

Uh the the I guess lesser of two suites or 330 square feet.

18:04

Uh so it's two suites, but not to exceed 330 square at least.

18:11

Yes, yeah, it's two suites.

18:13

Um, and the applicant cannot definitively give two to set in stone.

18:19

So, in order for us to kind of put it in the ordinance, we decided to do 330 because that would be the max that he could do because those are the biggest of the two suites.

18:27

Um, so it's two suites with that max square footage.

18:31

So the suite by itself is maxed at 330, it's not 330 square feet total.

18:36

330 total, yes, because each of the so this one is 165 and this one is 165.

18:43

So it'd be two suites with a max square footage of 330 total of the entire.

18:48

So it's either two suites or 330.

18:51

Yes, yes.

18:53

Just to be clear, I and I think we're we're talking of we keep calling them suites here, but they're really just these individual studio spots.

19:02

And uh, and yeah, I think in order because the applicant did not have a definitive idea on which two, the idea was okay, if the largest two were were taken, but it would be limited to two of the studios.

19:17

So, how is the city?

19:18

How do we know which two they are, and if they change over time?

19:23

Uh they would have to designate them to us at some point, and then uh and then they would go in the file, and then uh but yes, it's always operations is always as I always tell you, all operations is always the most difficult thing to enforce.

19:39

Okay, thank you.

19:40

Commissioner Carter.

19:45

Um currently is there anybody in uh performing tattoo work there now?

19:50

No.

19:51

Okay.

19:51

And has any of the have you or any of the tenants there received a stop work order for doing tattoos from Terrence, city or state?

20:00

No.

20:00

And you've been open about uh three months?

20:02

Two months.

20:03

Two months, okay.

20:05

Okay, all right, thank you.

20:07

Commissioner Blake.

20:11

So do you already have a tenant that you have that you're looking at for this?

20:16

So I have a yes, I have somebody that's interested, uh, which kind of got me uh on this path because he came asking, and then I was I had to uh ask the landlord, and then I quickly realized or or found out that uh the the zoning and that I was able to go through this process.

20:35

The the app the person who was interested, he may or may not uh I guess it's the the process takes long enough that he may change his mind by the time I get approved.

20:49

But the thinking is once I have approval to have any two of these studios, I can then allow whoever uh is is sort of licensed and and interested uh to uh it might have helped if he if they had come, which that's not the biggest biggest part.

21:08

So my understanding is you don't own the building, you're leasing the space, and then you're subleasing each one of these suites.

21:15

That is good.

21:16

So I I'm actually both disappointed and impressed that there's only one letter of opposition.

21:23

So, you know, I I you probably heard this up there, and I'll make sure that this is very clear.

21:30

I had full intentions of not voting yes for this.

21:34

I am not a big fan of tattoo parlors, and I do not think that they really bring what we need here in Arlington.

21:41

The exception is in this case what you're offering us, because I think that you're offering us a leased salon that various uh sundry services are going on.

21:54

Maybe you have eyelash extensions and some things like that for beauty and hair extensions, and whether I like tattoos or not, I think that is a thing that's there.

22:06

By having a tattoo parlor, you say, here's a concentration, this is all we're doing.

22:12

In this particular case, it sounds like you're going to have, hey, I want to go get a tattoo.

22:18

I'm making an appointment with this guy to do it or this girl to do it.

22:21

Yeah.

22:22

And as long as we're not doing a 24-7 shop that has revolving doors, uh, you you have my vote in this case.

22:30

Okay.

22:30

Thank you.

22:30

I appreciate it.

22:31

Uh I'll just quickly add that uh I feel like this is the second forum that I'm going through because the the landlord had some of the similar concerns and I had to convince them uh that I think all the interests are aligned.

22:47

Like I said, it does not make any business sense for me to lose any of the existing tenants because they are not happy with uh a fellow tenant.

22:58

Uh right, and so and for whatever reasons.

23:00

Uh so I I uh completely understand the concerns, uh, and I believe we have the operational oversight to to make sure the the place continues to be to operate in a professional manner.

23:15

Thank you.

23:16

Commissioner Twinkle Winkles.

23:18

Sorry.

23:19

Commissioner telling you having a rough night uh night with me.

23:23

Commissioner Winkles.

23:24

Full disclosure, I signed a lot of things that way, so it's okay, no offense taken.

23:29

Um first and foremost, thank you for bringing your choice to make a business and to develop in here in Arlington, because it sounds like you saw a property an opportunity to invest in our community while not even living here, so I appreciate that.

23:42

Thank you.

23:43

My second my question to you is do you have other salons, suite salons set up like this in other areas, or is this your first venture?

23:52

Yeah, so uh thank you.

23:53

Uh this is my first salon suite.

23:55

So I have purchased uh licenses for three uh with with Phoenix, uh, but this is this is my first one.

24:02

So Arlington is your first.

24:04

Do you plan on opening others inside of Arlington?

24:07

Do you plan on developing inside of Arlington?

24:09

Uh to be honest with you, I don't know.

24:11

Not sure.

24:12

Okay.

24:12

Um and then the the next question that I have is that um thank you.

24:17

It's it's really more of a a compliment because I think you're trying to provide a variety of services in a safe environment where people can still be independent business owners of their own time and manage their space.

24:28

So I appreciate that.

24:29

Thank you.

24:29

I appreciate that.

24:30

Thank you.

24:31

Commissioner Blake.

24:33

You kind of said something in there with with what Tracy asked, and just out of my own curiosity.

24:39

So are you a franchise of this company, Phoenix, or is Phoenix your company?

24:45

No.

24:46

So Phoenix, I'm a franchisee.

24:48

Okay.

24:48

So Phoenix owns uh about 400 of these um locations across the country.

24:56

Uh there's more than a dozen uh just in DFW.

25:00

So essentially you have a management company that's trying to help you be successful.

25:03

Yes, yep.

25:04

Okay.

25:04

And uh so actually that's a great point.

25:07

So before I even talked to the landlord, I first talked to uh Phoenix to know if they allow tattoo uh artist.

25:15

Okay.

25:15

And um it was only after I heard that they they not only allow, but they generally have uh good experience and I guess less turnover, more stability.

25:26

Okay.

25:26

Uh uh that that I decided to move forward.

25:31

Commissioner Blake.

25:32

Oh sorry.

25:33

I'm doing it.

25:35

Uh Commissioner Carter.

25:36

Golly.

25:38

I'm not for the project.

25:39

I think it's out of place for I think you're gonna upset your your good tenants there that are doing the the properly licensed things.

25:46

The special use permits gonna just it's just gonna be a wrench in it, I think.

25:51

But how will y'all handle the trash and the the garbage of the needles and the will that be mixed in with the you know the the hair clippings and all that?

25:59

Will there be are you gonna provide a special uh perceiv provisions for these the the trash that the tattoo artists are gonna create?

26:07

Surely they won't be able to have enough room in their suite to stack them up for a week for garbage.

26:12

So what will happen with all their uh hazardous trash with that has blood on it.

26:16

Yep.

26:17

So right now uh there's a lot of trash as you can imagine with the with the hair being cut, uh, and so there's a dumpster uh behind uh and every uh studio has uh has a uh receptacle or a or a trash bin uh and the the licensee is responsible for taking the the trash out.

26:40

And I I should say I have not yet educated myself on the DSHS uh sort of standards.

26:47

I at that part uh so they require that I have the zoning uh and then the after hopefully I get it, uh the next step is the uh DSHS uh licensing that uh that the applicant has to go through.

27:01

Uh but they typically from what I have uh read uh they actually come in uh and inspect uh the studio uh before uh before approving it.

27:14

Just I've seen enough tattoo parlors, and I I think they really will change your element and your your environment over there.

27:22

So um I just you know I think the salons, the suite, the salon studios are a great idea, but the I think it's really gonna change up your element over there.

27:32

So uh so I I hear you, I understand your concern, and it's possible you're right, and if you're right, I won't have them.

27:39

Like I said, I it's not in my interest to have people there that disrupt the the workflow and the harmony.

27:48

Uh and big I like I said, I talked to Phoenix, the parent company, and and they put me in touch with a lot of other franchises that that have uh you know tattoo uh studios in their locations, and in general I heard sort of fairly positive things, which is why I actually started to go down on this path.

28:10

Uh but there is uh it's possible you're right.

28:14

One more question.

28:16

The uh um as the building fills up with tenants, uh how do you handle the the smoking?

28:23

Are they smoking out on the porch or were they smoking at the people?

28:29

So I mean it's a non-smoking facility, obviously.

28:32

Uh so I think the there's a couple of people who smoke, they either just come out from the front door or uh go through the back door, smoke and and then come back in.

28:41

Um I don't know if the the tattoo artists are more likely to be smokers than uh other professionals.

28:49

Uh, but but the the facility obviously is non-smoking.

28:56

Other questions?

28:58

Any other names for me to mess up?

29:01

Commissioner Sumter and then back here.

29:03

Not not really a question, just kind of a statement.

29:06

You know, this is a redeveloped shopping center.

29:10

So it was you know a different type of uh center to experience back in the day, and it's been reinvigorated with different types of uses, such as yourself.

29:22

So I I think this is a great example of redevelopment in our city, and we're gonna see a lot more of this as um you know developers take the initiative to redevelop our old retail centers, which that's what we want.

29:37

So these types of uses I think are very important to make it successful for its second version of what it should be.

29:44

And having two tattoos, um I'm I don't like tattoos, but that's just me, that's my personal opinion.

29:50

There's others that that love them, and there's there's nothing wrong with with tattoos.

29:55

It's just a personal opinion, it's a way of reflecting you know what you think in yourself.

30:01

And I think having two studios is perfectly adequate for something like this instead of you know a retail shopping center where you you kind of see it front and center um appointment only is important.

30:15

So I'm supportive of this, and I think it's a great use and it works, you know, in this kind of realm of the a studio place where people get their hair done, makeup, all that kind of stuff.

30:26

So uh I just want to point out I'm very supportive.

30:30

Thank you.

30:30

I appreciate that.

30:31

I'll I'll just quickly add and say the the first time I met in the I guess it's called pre-planning.

30:37

I was discussing uh a bigger number, five or up to five or six.

30:42

Uh but after talking to the landlord, after talking to other franchisees, I voluntarily reduced my ask.

30:50

Uh it's the same price.

30:51

I think the application fee is the same.

30:53

Uh, but I um I am aware of you know, there's some uh definitely there's uh uh other viewpoint, and so I just want two uh out of 55.

31:04

I believe I'll be able to uh screen and uh obviously I I screen every applicant, uh tattoo or or uh otherwise, and so I hold the right to reject for for any reasons.

31:20

Other questions.

31:23

Well, I'll I'll make a comment.

31:24

I'm in favor of what you're gonna do here in this particular location.

31:28

Uh Commissioner Winkles during the work session made the comment that this is the perfect location for tattoo parlors.

31:35

Uh and I I wholeheartedly agree with her comment.

31:38

Uh it it's uh it's bringing a service to an appointed time instead of people running around at two o'clock in the morning and showing up in a rough part of town and getting a tattoo because they're drunk.

31:51

That's not the kind of customer that's going to be coming here during a normal work hours.

31:55

And so I'm in favor of this at this particular location, and I'll be voting for it.

31:59

The staff I have a question, more for uh you and if you know the answer now, you can give me the answer.

32:06

If you don't, I just want to want to know if if you're aware of it.

32:12

Commissioner Carter's point is correct.

32:14

Needles are used that are being put into human flesh, and they're gonna be contaminated, and they could be contaminated with a lot of things that we don't want to accidentally get our fingers stuck on.

32:26

So does the tattoo industry in the state of Texas is it controlled with sharps containers?

32:32

Uh because there are, I know in the hospital setting, uh I know that uh we have special containers that needles are put in, and then that those boxes are put in the trash.

32:42

And that trash is not incinerated, it doesn't have to be, because it in fact the steel inside can be recycled.

32:49

So what do you know about the requirements of a business to get rid of tattoos uh sharps?

32:57

They're they're called sharps or needles.

33:00

It it can also apply when you stop to think about Mr.

33:03

Car uh Mr.

33:03

Carter, there's hundreds of of diabetics that are injecting themselves with insulin needles every day in the communities that we live in.

33:13

They're instructed to put them, believe it or not, into milk cartons.

33:16

And the milk cartons are what are disposed in the trash.

33:19

That's considered a safe, sharp container.

33:22

Even if that patient has AIDS or God knows what else, those needles go into our trash and they're protected in that way.

33:29

So uh I'm sure the state's got something.

33:32

And only for educational purposes, uh what do you know?

33:37

I don't know much.

33:38

I'm not sure.

33:39

But I would assume that they do have some standards in regards to that.

33:43

Um since it is regulated by them, I'm sure that is something that they will look for, but I'm not.

33:48

Well, apart uh uh uh sir, you will be thank you, uh staff.

33:52

You will be going to city council uh if you if if this is passed by us tonight, that is a question that you're gonna get asked by city council members.

34:01

You need to be prepared to know how to answer that if you haven't already found it on your phone.

34:05

Yep.

34:05

But uh, like I said, uh there is an entire DSHS process that that comes after this.

34:12

Uh sorry, and I'm gonna just read something without fully understanding it.

34:17

Uh but uh the it requires uh the artist to complete uh blood bond pathogen training and operate under a DSHS rule.

34:28

Uh this is a regulated professional service.

34:30

Uh but yeah, I I think I have not yet educated myself uh on on that part.

34:36

It probably has I I have a feeling that a licensed tattoo artist is gonna is taught and may be required to have some types of uh some mechanism of getting rid of their needles.

34:46

So uh you need to educate yourself on that because you're gonna get asked that question by counsel if if you win the vote tonight.

34:54

Okay.

34:54

Any other comments or questions?

34:57

Uh uh first, Mr.

34:59

Gatton.

35:00

is uh but yeah i i think i have not yet educated myself uh on on that part it probably have i i have a feeling that a licensed tattoo artist is gonna is it's taught and may be required to have some types of uh some mechanism of getting rid of their their needles so uh you need to educate yourself off on that because you're gonna get asked that question by counsel if if you win the vote tonight okay any other comments or questions uh uh first mr gatton uh sorry just wanted to uh let the commission know during the work session there was a question regarding a uh an economic development incentive agreement that was executed with uh town north I just wanted uh to advise that uh I did take a look at that agreement and that agreement was uh purely for uh eligible improvements uh for the exterior and there's uh nothing in the agreement uh referencing uh uses so uses are entirely within the control of of this board and not regulated by any contractual agreement other than the contract that I'm sure the lease agreement that he has uh with his landlord but he's already advised he's been in that forum already so I'm assuming that's why he's here commissioner winkles oh so my my comments more for staff um this is wording and something I know we're going through we're looking at our form based code and we're looking at lots of things in the back end but tattoo parlor is relatively a 1970s genre that we called it back in the day um nowadays those tattoo artists find it offensive when you use that so that might be a wording that we look at changing because this is a this concept is relatively new probably within the last 15 years and we've seen a lot of the developments along abram Street of some of our older residential homes turned into businesses what have salon suites inside of them that artists and hairdressers and aestheticians and beauticians and all sorts of people rent small spaces inside the space to operate their art history business so take into account that the language there might need to be adjusted as well okay great comment any other comments or questions uh commissioner maddox followed by commissioner carter yeah just doing a quick look on Google regarding your question it says that uh Texas tech two parts neither so involved using punch resistance sharp containers and training with OSHA slash D SHS uh rules thank you very much I thought that might be the case and those sharp containers then are either going to be your expense or the tattoo artist's expense so that's that's partly why that's in you you're still going to get asked that question uh because they're not I I know that they're not that expensive but they're not cheap either because they have to be of a thick plastic with a top that once it's locked it's locked so it can't also open commissioner Carter I I just um really had high hopes for the shopping center and not that this one two suites will change the the whole shopping center but it sets a precedent for what could come later we we uh uh the that there's a shortage of grocery stores in the area and we don't want that grocery store to leave because if it starts to get your reputation for uh you know it being tattoo shops and a rough crowd hanging out there so I just I just think it's uh best to stick with the current zoning and uh not and I'm not gonna vote yes on it so if if I may just uh respond I'm I probably am not gonna earn your vote but uh the the landlord was on the the landlord has to is on the application so uh I I had kind of extensive conversation with uh with the owners of shop and company and they uh they were able to satisfy themselves that uh you know uh it's not you would imagine that they have a pretty vested interest in their shopping center kind of not uh you know uh not going down that path uh and and uh at the end of all of that I think they they were support they are supportive of uh of this application with that uh you know I'm gonna try and bring this discussion to a close but uh so you're done with your uh with your presentation I think we've asked all the questions that we need to ask so um at this time I'm gonna close the public session and sir thank you thank you but this is now I'm going to ask that uh commissioners make any other comments that they might have are there any other comments that want to be need to be made okay I have a motion to approve by Commissioner Blake uh Commissioner Blake would you state your motion first I would like to say I'm so glad somebody told me to keep an open mind and not make up my vote before I come in here because tonight was truly a change I'd like to make a motion to approve SUP 25-11 5336 West Randall Mill Road with the addition of the staff recommendations including the addition of the limitation on the square footage very good and Commissioner Winkles is that your motion your second I would correct the address to just 536 sorry very good whoops 536 it is and that is your second commissioner winkles yes sir thank you cast your vote motion passes 8 to 1 thank you sir congratulations thank you this remember

40:00

Very good.

40:00

And Commissioner Winkles, is that your motion?

40:03

Your second.

40:04

I would correct the address to just 536.

40:06

Sorry.

40:07

Very good.

40:08

Whoops.

40:09

536 it is.

40:10

And that is your second.

40:12

Commissioner Winkles.

40:14

Yes, sir.

40:14

Thank you.

40:15

Cast your vote.

40:25

Motion passes 8 to 1.

40:27

Thank you, sir.

40:28

Congratulations.

40:29

Thank you.

40:29

Just remember that you'll need to do this presentation in front of the city council and make sure you're able to answer any questions.

40:35

They're going to ask you the same questions over again.

40:38

Most of them will watch this recording, but you need to have the answer to the other one.

40:42

Thank you so much.

40:43

Very good.

40:44

We have a little bit of housekeeping to do.

40:46

We do need to vote on ZA 25-5.

40:52

Addressed at roughly uh 7415 South Cooper.

40:55

This is an application for a change in zoning from community commercial, the flex hybrid on approximately 2.07 acres.

41:03

The applicant has asked for an indefinite continuance, and I need a motion for that in a second.

41:14

There's a motion to approve by Commissioner Finley, and I've uh seconded that motion.

41:18

Commissioner Finley, what is your motion?

41:22

I move that we continue indefinitely.

41:26

Case number ZA25-5 at 7415 South Cooper Street regarding an application for a change in zoning from community commercial to flex hybrid.

41:38

Thank you, Commissioner Finley, and that is my second.

41:41

Cast your vote.

41:49

Vote passes nine to nothing.

41:51

Thank you very much.

41:53

Finally, um we have any additional reports from boards or commissions?

42:01

I will just tell you that we have four cases lined up for the February 4th meeting.

42:07

Yay.

42:09

Are there any reports from staff and or are there any announcements that need to be made?

42:15

No, sir.

42:16

Finally, I want to uh recommend everyone that our next regular session meeting of the planning and zoning commission is on Wednesday, February the 4th, 2026 at 5 30 p.m.

42:26

And we are now adjourned.

42:28

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████67%
Procedural█████████13%
Public Safety████████12%
Community Engagement█████8%
Summary of Proceedings

Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session - January 21, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Commission of Arlington, Texas, met on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 5:34 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Ignacio Nunez, addressed two zoning cases: a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for a tattoo parlor/piercing studio and a zoning change request that was continued indefinitely. All nine commissioners were present.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • SUP25-11 (Tattoo Parlor/Piercing Studio): The applicant, Kedar Negurkar (owner of Phoenix Salon Suites in Plano, TX), presented a request for a Specific Use Permit to allow two tattoo studios within his existing 55-studio salon suite at 536 W. Randol Mill Road. He emphasized that the use would be appointment-only, limited to two suites (max 330 sq. ft. total), with no exterior changes or new signage. He stated that the parent company, Phoenix, has positive experience with tattoo studios in other locations and that he would screen tenants to maintain professional conduct. Commissioners expressed both support and opposition. Commissioner Blake, initially opposed, changed his vote after hearing the applicant's operational controls. Commissioner Carter opposed, citing concerns about changing the shopping center's character, hazardous waste (needles), and potential loss of the grocery store tenant. Commissioner Winkles supported the location as appropriate. Commissioner Sumpter noted the value of redevelopment. The applicant voluntarily reduced his original request from five or six studios to two.

Discussion Items

  • SUP25-11 (536 W. Randol Mill Road): Staff presented the case, noting the property is zoned Community Commercial (CC) and the proposed use is permitted via SUP. The comprehensive plan category is "Established Residential Future Development." Staff recommended conditions: the SUP being non-assignable/non-transferable, immediate revocation upon sale/lease, and a limitation to two suites (max 330 sq. ft. total). One letter of opposition was received. Commissioners discussed the location of the two suites, enforceability, and the applicant's experience. Concerns about hazardous waste disposal (sharps containers) were raised, and the applicant was advised to prepare for similar questions from City Council.
  • ZA25-5 (7415 S. Cooper Street): An application to rezone from Community Commercial (CC) to Flex Hybrid (FH) on approximately 2.07 acres. The applicant requested an indefinite continuance; no testimony was taken.

Key Outcomes

  • SUP25-11: Approved (8-1) with staff recommendations including the square footage limitation. Commissioner Carter voted nay. The permit will go to City Council for final approval.
  • ZA25-5: Indefinitely continued (9-0) upon motion by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Chairperson Nunez.
  • Minutes: The minutes from January 14, 2026, were not approved; they will be combined with the January 21 minutes and approved at the next meeting on February 4, 2026.
  • Next Meeting: The next regular session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Four cases are lined up.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening again. My name is Dr. Ignacio Nunez. Uh I still serve as chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Arlington. I here brought call this regularly noticed meeting of the City of Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission regular session to order for January the 21st, 2026. At this time, I'll ask our administrator to read our speaker guidelines and general decorum for tonight's meeting. We ask that the citizens and other visitors in attendance assist in preserving the order and decorum of this meeting and to provide for attendance 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 are 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, 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 the end of each speaker's time. In consideration of other speakers, please conclude your comments promptly when you hear the bell. We ask that you address your comments to the planning and zoning commissioners. Thank you very much. I'm gonna uh skip ahead just a little bit. If there is anyone here that was going to speak on our second case tonight, CA25-5 addressed at 2415 South Cooper. That particular uh case has been uh withdrawn. The only vote we're gonna have tonight on that is to continue it indefinitely. So if you're here, you can go home. Just for the record, the case hasn't been withdrawn, but they have requested an indefinite continuance and tonight's agenda. We're asking for a vote to indefinitely continue the case. Thank you very much for that uh correction. Uh so first item of business is to uh approve the minutes and uh no again. We're not going to approve the minutes of January the 14th tonight. We will approve the minutes of the 14th and tonight's meeting, the 21st. Uh, and we'll vote on those on February the 4th at the 2026 regular session meeting. Next on the agenda, we have one zoning case, SUP 25-11 addressed at 536 West Randall Mill Road. An application for a specific use permit for a tattoo parlor or piercing studio on a property zoned community commercial on approximately 0.22 acres. This time I'll call on our staff to present its report on this case. Good evening, commissioners for the record. Cecilia Nelson, senior planner, planning and development services, here to present zoning case SUP 25-11. The subject site is approximately 0.22 acres and addressed as 536 West Reynolds Mill Road. It is located south of West Reynoldmill Road and east of South Cooper Street. The property is currently zoned community commercial. The proposed use is a tattoo parlor or piercing studio limited to two spaces within the existing salon. The tattoo parlor or piercing studio is permitted within the community commercial zoning district via approval of the specific use permit. The UDC defines a tattoo parlor or piercing studio as an establishment whose principal business activity, either in terms of operation or as held out to the public, is the practice of one or more of the following. Placing of designs, letters, figures, symbols, or other marks upon or under the skin of any person using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration of the skin by means of the use of needles or other instruments designed to contact or puncture the skin. Creation of an opening in the body of a person other than the airlobe for the purpose of inserting jewelry and plants or other decoration. A tattoo parlor does not include establishments whose principal business activity is permanent cosmetics, microblading, micro pigmentation, and other similar personal care services. Outlined in yellow is the subject property. Here are photos of the site. The existing commercial property consists of various lease spaces. The uses in the center include a grocery store, restaurants, personal services, pharmacy, office, and retail store. The salon suite currently occupies 9,551 square feet of the 9.4 acre lot.

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