Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session - September 2, 2026
Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session - September 2, 2026
The Planning and Zoning Commission met on September 2, 2026, at City Hall in Arlington, Texas. The commission approved four consent plats, disapproved two plats, approved a specific use permit for a secondary living unit, approved a planned development for an electric substation, continued a multifamily project for revisions, and approved a planned development for light industrial use. All votes were 8-0 unless noted.
Consent Calendar (Plats Approved with Conditions)
- Replat Fielder Road Baptist/John Stevens Addition: Approved with conditions.
- Minor Plat Strawberry Court: Approved with conditions.
- Preliminary Plat West Harris Road Addition: Approved with conditions.
- Preliminary Plat Yardly Loretta Day Addition: Approved with conditions. Commissioner Greer abstained.
- Motion: Commissioner Blake moved, Commissioner Sumter seconded. Passed 8-0.
Consent Calendar (Plats Disapproved)
- Replat Bob-O-Links Addition: Disapproved.
- Amending Plat Murray Estates Addition: Disapproved.
- Motion: Commissioner Blake moved, Commissioner Johnson seconded. Passed 8-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- SUP26-02 (2401 Havenwood Drive):
- Applicant Pedro Ramirez: Expressed support, explaining the secondary living unit would house his 85-year-old mother with health issues who currently rotates among family homes. He stated he is not seeking financial benefit and wants to comply with city codes.
- Opponent Jane Lynn: Opposed, citing lack of neighbor communication, concerns about precedent, future rental potential (e.g., Airbnb), and design unsuitable for a wheelchair user. She also noted parking and plumbing issues.
- Opponent Seneca Dickerson: Opposed, citing parking issues and distrust of city enforcement of rental restrictions.
- Applicant Rebuttal: Apologized for not notifying neighbors; stated no plans to retire to Mexico; committed to parking adjustments.
- PD26-08 (7204 Mitchell Parkway):
- Applicant Ashen Miller (Encore): Supported, explaining the substation is needed to serve growing demand and will be screened with an 8-foot masonry wall (amended from 6 feet).
- Resident Richard Swain: Raised concerns about drainage, setbacks, noise, and requested mature screening trees. He noted water runoff from north properties already causes flooding on Mitchell Parkway.
- Resident Omar Ochoa: Stated that during heavy rain, water reaches his doorstep on Grindstone Court, and asked for tree replacement and drainage mitigation.
- Staff Response: Drainage will be addressed during plat review; existing drainage issues are not the applicant's responsibility but they must not worsen the problem.
- PD26-09 (2245 Carter Drive): No public speakers. Applicant Jeff Hamilton presented and answered commissioner questions.
- PD26-10 (7201 US 287 Bus Hwy):
- Applicant Graham Stowe: Supported, describing the powder coating and paintless dent repair uses. He agreed to staff recommendations to exclude certain uses but requested keeping a microbrewery/distillery/winery exception.
- Broker Lyndon Todd: Spoke in support, noting the area's highest and best use is industrial.
Discussion Items
- SUP26-02 (2401 Havenwood Drive): Commissioners discussed the need for secondary living units for aging parents, parking on the corner lot, and importance of matching architecture. Staff recommended adding an egress window in the loft and brick on rear and sides. Applicant agreed to add window and brick; he preferred to keep existing bathroom layout (half bath in main house, full bath in new unit). Commissioners expressed support for the project after hearing the applicant's family situation.
- PD26-08 (7204 Mitchell Parkway): Commissioners discussed the substation's need, drainage concerns, and the proposed 8-foot masonry wall (increased from 6 feet per applicant). Staff noted the site's heavy vegetation provides natural buffering. Applicant committed to meeting all city drainage requirements and stated the site will preserve 138 trees.
- PD26-09 (2245 Carter Drive): Commissioners raised concerns about the lack of a gate, insufficient parking, and limited amenities (only dog park and trail). Chairman Nunez suggested adding a gate, more parking, and a pavilion or gathering space. Commissioner Blake emphasized the need for varied facades and community engagement with East Arlington Renewal (Sue Phillips). Applicant requested a continuance to October 7 to revise the plan and meet with stakeholders.
- PD26-10 (7201 US 287 Bus Hwy): Commissioners praised the applicant for redeveloping a blighted corridor. They accepted the applicant's openness to exclude certain uses except a microbrewery/distillery/winery, and noted the buildings' upgraded appearance and six-foot privacy fence.
Key Outcomes
- SUP26-02 (2401 Havenwood Drive): Approved 8-0 with conditions: (1) brick facade on rear and sides to match existing home, (2) additional egress window in loft bedroom. Applicant's existing bathroom plan (half bath in main house, full bath in new unit) was accepted. Staff recommendations regarding window placement and bathroom were partly addressed.
- PD26-08 (7204 Mitchell Parkway): Approved 8-0 with change of fence height from 6 feet to 8 feet masonry wall. Zoning changed from Residential Estate to Planned Development for Residential Estate plus Electric Utility Substation.
- PD26-09 (2245 Carter Drive): Continued to October 7, 2026, by a vote of 8-0. Applicant to revise plan for gated access, additional parking, improved amenities (e.g., pavilion), and meet with East Arlington Renewal.
- PD26-10 (7201 US 287 Bus Hwy): Approved 8-0 with staff recommendation to exclude certain uses, except a microbrewery/distillery/winery. Zoning changed from Village on the Green at Tierra Verde to Planned Development for Light Industrial plus Auto Repair Garage Major.
- Next Meeting: Regular session on September 19, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I hereby call this regularly noticed meeting of the City of Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission regular session to order for September the 2nd 2026. Commissioner Johnson, our newest commissioner, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Please rise. Thank you very much. This time I'll ask our administrator to read the 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 ten 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 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. Our first item of business is approval of the minutes of the August 19th, 2026. Planning and zoning regular session minutes. A copy was sent to all of the commissioners in advance. Were there any changes or corrections needed to these minutes? Saying none, do I have a motion to approve? I have a motion to approve by Commissioner Finley and a second by Commissioner Blake. Please cast your vote. Motion passes eight to nothing. Okay. First, we have plats to be approved with conditions. Tonight we have four plates on the consent agenda under Plats to be approved with conditions. First one is a replat, Fielder Road Baptist slash John Stevens edition. Second, a minor plat, Strawberry Court. Preliminary Platis edition, preliminary plat, Yardley Loretta Day edition. These uh consent agenda items were all reviewed by the commissioners. Do we have any speakers on these items? A chair, I'd just like to Commissioner Greer. Make a note for the record that I'm abstaining from uh little Loretta Day edition plat. Thank you very much. If uh whoever's taking minutes will note that now I have here in my hand. Let me make sure that I've got this correct Cullen Adderhold. You're here in support of the West Harris edition. Would you raise your hand? Thank you. Did you want to speak? All right, thank you very much. In addition, I have Preston Harrell here, non-speaker in support. Uh would you please? There you are. Thank you very much for being here. There being no questions, do I have a motion to approve the these plates? I do by Commissioner Blake.
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