City Meeting

Hope Untz City Meeting

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Arlington City Council voted 8-0 on Tuesday March 19 on the Zoning Case PD18-22 of Pecandale Drive for residential single-family use to pass onto a second hearing. The applicant, Glen Terrell plans to use the area to develop single family homes on the vacant area of Pecandale Drive between West Abram Street and South Bowen Road. Under the public hearings of ordinances first reading section of the meeting, Charles Clawson presented the case on behalf of Terrel. He said the plan is to “have a zero-lot line with it’s a private gated community, gated on both ends.” “This track is being developed for the empty nesters. It will be restricted to those 55 years and old,” Clawson said. Current residents of the surrounding area shared concerns of the trees in the zoning area. During his turn to speak, Mark Schatzman used his tape measure to show the council member what a three-inch diameter tree would be. The measurement was easily able to be held in Schatzman’s hands for all to see. He said this is what he fears the development will included if allowed. After showing the three-inch diameter, Schatzman laid his tape measure on the ground before the council members to 220 inches. “This is the diameter of two of the trees on the property,” Shatzman said. “We got some massive, old, Arlington, historic trees on that property,” Shatzman said. In an email to the council on March 12, Shatzman said “I’d like to see homes built around the massive mature trees.

Hope Untz City Meeting Page 2 Another resident, Tina Nelson Cobb, highlighted the Blue Zones project for the council on the benefits of trees. “Urban trees absorb harmful pollution. Trees lower urban air temperatures,” Cobbs said. “Trees create a connection to nature and the human senses,” she said. The case was moved by Robert Shepard of District 6 and second by Lana Wolff of District 5. It was requested that at second reading the presenter founds out the species of the trees on the property. The council also voted on the final reading of 39 items including the renewal of annual requirements contract for food for incarcerated persons, the purchase of five dump trucks and the events trust fund agreement for 2019 KAABOO Festival. The meeting also marked the declaration of March 19 as celebrating women in public office day. Michael Glaspie of District 8 acting as Mayor Pro-Tempore said, “recognizing women in public office will bring awareness to the fundamental necessity of that work, and will inspire other young people to serve their communities.” The council currently has six women on the board. --30--