In a recent city council meeting, discussions centered around a proposed rezoning of a 10-acre site currently designated for general commercial use. The property, located at the southwest corner of Doctor MLK Junior Drive and East Stephen Street, is partially within an airport overlay zone and is situated south of Interstate 20.

The applicant seeks to rezone the site to a Planned Development (PD) for Residential Multifamily (RMF) 22, aiming to develop approximately 35 units per acre. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission previously voted against the proposal, with a motion to approve failing by a vote of 27 to 7. In response, the applicant has filed an appeal to bring the case before the city council for further consideration.

During the meeting, the council was informed that the appeal would focus on procedural aspects rather than the merits of the case itself. The applicant presented new information since the Planning and Zoning meeting, including an environmental noise study related to airport operations and a market study addressing housing demand in the area.

The applicant argued against the notion that the site should be designated for light industrial use, noting that the road infrastructure is not suitable for heavy traffic, as it is not part of Arlington's approved truck route plan. Additionally, the revised site plan now includes a co-working space intended for residents and the public, catering to professionals utilizing the nearby airport.

Support for the project has been garnered from the local business community and a retired U.S. naval officer, emphasizing that the development would not interfere with flight patterns. The applicant also addressed concerns raised by Commissioner Nunez regarding the project's masonry percentage, indicating adjustments have been made to meet these requests.

The city council is set to schedule a public hearing to further discuss the appeal, allowing for community input while maintaining a focus on the procedural aspects of the case.