Carrollton City Council Worksession and Regular Meeting – May 6, 2025

The Carrollton City Council held a combined Worksession (5:45 PM) and Regular Meeting (7:00 PM) on May 6, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting covered a legislative update on the 89th Texas Legislature, recognition of the city's first LEED for Cities Gold certification, a traffic study briefing for Frankford Road, updates on LIV Golf Dallas 2025 and floodplain mapping, plus several zoning public hearings. Key actions included unanimous approval of a one-year interim prohibition on new short-term rental (STR) and bed and breakfast (B&B) special use permits (Item 25) and adoption of a temporary permitting process for existing unpermitted STR/B&Bs (Item 26) with a 7-1 vote. The Council also approved a consent agenda including contracts, an economic development incentive agreement with UEP, Inc., and minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously Items 13–21, including:
  • Minutes from February 18 and April 15, 2025.
  • Purchase of fire tools, equipment, and mounting hardware from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group (up to $59,000).
  • Contract with Ratliff Hardscape Ltd. for Phase 2 of Plano Parkway Park (Tor Hill Park) – $919,930 (including $43,806 contingency).
  • Change order with Dallas Harmony Construction for Rosemeade Recreation Center repairs (+$9,970, new total $411,970).
  • Licensing and maintenance from Harris Computer Systems ($114,894.81 for FY2025, two-year total not to exceed $247,023.84).
  • Amendment to Axon Enterprise contract for additional tasers, body cameras, and software – annual expenditure increase to $595,549, revised total contract $5,622,294.
  • Professional services contract with Parkhill (Smith and Cooper) for Oak Creek Tennis Center Addition design – $643,000 (2022 Bond funds).
  • Economic development incentive agreement with UEP, Inc. for its expansion at 2323 McDaniel Drive – 50% tax rebate on new real and personal property value, up to $1,559,868 over five years, supporting at least $17M in improvements, $188M in equipment, and 60 new full-time jobs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Forbes (3000 Silverado Dr.) spoke in opposition to short-term rentals in residential areas, citing deed restrictions, noise, trash, loss of community feel, and speculative buying. She urged the Council to oppose STRs.
• Johim Morales spoke in support of property rights and against STR regulations, stating the city has no authority to tell property owners what to do with their property and threatened legal action.
• John Castaldi (Indian Springs HOA president) spoke in favor of the one-year ban on STR/B&B SUPs, presenting 61 signatures from his neighborhood. He expressed concerns about transient occupants, lack of regulation, and displacement of young families. He noted one STR property was 150 yards from Kent Elementary.
• Dave Waters spoke in support of the interim prohibition (Item 25) but opposed Chapter 100 temporary permits (Item 26), arguing that issuing permits undermines the prohibition and that current enforcement (Chapter 97) is insufficient.
• Several additional speakers submitted cards in support of Item 25 (Rick Jackson, Kyle Teague, Jim Wilson, Patty Wilson) without speaking.
• Bob Eller (1404 Brookside Dr.) addressed the Council during Public Forum, requesting a code update to allow carports to match the full width of a garage (30 ft instead of current 24-ft limit). He stated the current rule forces awkward post placement and the code likely did not anticipate larger garages.

Discussion Items

• Legislative Update (Worksession): Larry Gonzalez, the city's legislative consultant, provided an update on the 89th Texas Legislature. Key bills discussed:
  • SB 134 (sales tax on warehouses): Successfully kept off calendar; transit argument gained allies.
  • HB 3169 (hotel occupancy tax): Voted out of committee but lost 1,000-foot language; moving individually, which increases vulnerability.
  • HB 673 (ADUs): Passed Senate; pending in House; does not override HOA deed restrictions; population limit of 150,000 noted.
  • HB 424 (regional transportation authorities): House bill voted out of committee May 6; Senate bill not yet heard.
  • HB 2695 (firearms-related): Out of committee 10-1; green card strategy suggested for calendars.
  • Other bills: HB 924 (litigation-related), HB 1585 (housing finance), limit on 380/3.1 agreements. Council discussed coordinating green/red card efforts.
• LEED for Cities Gold Certification (Worksession & Presentation): Environmental Services Director Cory Heiple presented the city's first LEED for Cities Gold certification, awarded April 2025 by the U.S. Green Building Council. The certification covers all 37 square miles of Carrollton. A cross-departmental team of 20 staff from 10 departments submitted a 230-page report with over 1,000 pages of supporting documentation. The city achieved 68 points, with strengths in quality of life, innovation, regional priority, resilience planning, transportation performance (TOD), and energy/GHG emissions. Areas for improvement include water performance (impacted by recent drought and hot summers). Only six U.S. cities hold Platinum certification. USGBC Texas Executive Director Jonathan Kraatz presented the plaque to Mayor Babick; certificates were awarded to staff. Outstanding performance awards were given to Cory Heiple and Novella Lando.
• Frankford Road Traffic Study Results and Recommendations (Worksession): Engineering Director Jonathan Wheat briefed the Council on the traffic study for the Frankford Road reconstruction project (~13 lane miles). The only operational change recommended is shifting the median opening at Old Denton Road and Frankford Road to provide a U-turn access, improving left-turn stacking (270 vehicles/hour peak). The shopping center will remain accessible via right turns from northbound Old Denton and left turns from eastbound Frankford. During construction, temporary lanes in the median will allow machine pours for higher quality and faster completion. Landscaping will mirror Old Denton's Carrollton finish. The first section is targeted for bid later in 2025 with construction in early 2026. Denton County is contributing $7.8 million (50% of a third of the project).
• LIV Golf Dallas 2025 Update (Worksession): Economic Development staff reported that the Texas Event Trust Fund approved the city's application with a local share of $83,549. Outlyr (tournament operator) will provide the city an amount equal to the local share upfront, which the city will send to the state; the state will then disburse both shares back to Outlyr, leaving the city with net zero financial impact. Tournament Director James Clark confirmed the event is 48 days away (June 2025), not a team championship this year, and planning with CFBISD continues. Councilmember Fleming questioned the ownership (Saudi Public Investment Fund) and why the city's involvement is needed; Clark responded that Outlyr is covering the local share to avoid city expense. Mayor Babick noted the city provides services and this arrangement carries no risk.
• Floodplain Management and Mapping Project (Worksession): Engineering presented an update on the ongoing floodplain study covering four basins (Dudley, Furneaux, Indian, Hutton). Map notifications for Upper Indian Creek (effective February 2025) and No Creek (effective June 2025) have been sent to affected property owners. A new interactive GIS-based flood map tool was unveiled, allowing residents to search any address quickly to determine floodplain status. The city's drainage and floodplain management website was overhauled with clearer sections on flooding, insurance, elevation certificates, and contact information for the certified floodplain manager.
• Proclamation and Presentations (Regular Meeting):
  • May 2025 proclaimed as Building Safety Month in Carrollton.
  • LEED for Cities Gold certification plaque presented to Mayor Babick and certificates to staff.
• Public Hearings and Ordinances:
  • Item 22 – SUP-417 Amendment (Used Car Dealer): Council approved removal of the December 2018 expiration date from SUP-417 at 3228 & 3232 Skylane Dr., allowing continued used car sales. Staff stipulations include planting three shade trees on Skylane Drive and requiring vehicle display in designated spaces. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 23 – Claw Mania Kingdom Arcade SUP: Council approved a Special Use Permit for an amusement arcade (excluding adult arcade) in a 3,400 sq. ft. space at 1012 MacArthur Dr., Suite 124, zoned PD-45 (LR-2 Local Retail). Permitted use: amusement arcade with up to 100 gaming stations, no simulated gambling, no alcohol, hours 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 24 – Tattoo Parlor SUP (Microblading): Council approved a Special Use Permit for a tattoo parlor limited to microblading in a 308 sq. ft. portion of Suite 128 at 1016 W. Trinity Mills Rd., zoned PD-45 (LR-2). Hours restricted to Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Two comment cards were received (one support, one opposition). Approved unanimously.
  • Item 25 – Interim Prohibition on STR/B&B SUPs: Council approved amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (Article V) imposing a one-year interim prohibition (until May 5, 2026) on the application or issuance of Special Use Permits for short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts in all applicable residential districts. Existing nonconforming uses (operating before Feb. 7, 2023) and those with approved SUPs may continue. Unpermitted STR/B&Bs that began operation between Feb. 7, 2023 and May 6, 2025 may apply for a temporary permit under Chapter 100. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 26 – Chapter 100 Temporary STR and B&B Permit Ordinance: Council approved a new chapter in the City Code establishing a temporary lodging permit process for eligible STR/B&B properties during the interim prohibition. Eligibility requires no documented code violations in the past 12 months, owner/operator not a registered sex offender, no more than two code convictions, and property not within a Child Safety Zone. The permit expires May 5, 2026. Approved 7-1 (Councilmember Klein opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 13–21): Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearings Items 22, 23, 24: Approved unanimously.
• Item 25 – Interim STR/B&B Prohibition: Approved unanimously.
• Item 26 – Chapter 100 Temporary Permit Process: Approved 7-1 (Councilmember Klein opposed).
• Worksession briefings: Informational only; no votes taken. Council received updates on legislation, LEED certification, Frankford Road traffic study, LIV Golf 2025, and floodplain mapping. The city will develop permanent STR/B&B regulations within the one-year prohibition period. Staff will proceed with Frankford Road construction bidding later in 2025 and bring the LIV Golf event support contract for future approval.
• Public Forum: Bob Eller requested a code amendment for carport width; matter referred to staff for consideration.