[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6679241,"mediaKeyId","2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943","parentId",2136265,"title","Residents press council on Via on-demand service and propose a Grand Prairie transit plan","audioSeconds",157,"startMs",2811000,"endMs",2968000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943&start=2811&end=2968","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943/thumbnail_2811000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6679241/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Residents-press-council-on-Via-on-demand-service-and-propose-a-Grand-Prairie-transit-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679241-fd669590dac4decfb4d4c04057bdb9da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775638901&Signature=d0KTuBfcMOuVFoNK5vH7GVhz9Q-DD~HiXQA5Ov1rQW9ldBhhlugOEzQQqI3msLHxOASAZ-8lHSOvhe~1V7nli8BAMZidEOi1RVUObyU6wbfF8Jy~uNSfLhvKYUpU0j-zDi6npoDJ387rXIyVh9ax6izO7K68owg0DIvf6hceOMzuMhexbtqZKI20vsEpb7bAbHTm7r4HEckkdKyjiYFnFItIko7DUK7nuPiXHjJ7J-Go4BFEHHWgiUK3s6Sl3cbqA-pRs6bM6CTLB07ilHywJAUGyQ3YpngfaLesesaTsSRdO3IWuq0n6PLrNzDcqQQ1lp9YjZQQ5AomvsKwp6XXAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Prairie","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used Jan. 20 public comment to urge the City Council to address reliability and coverage problems with Via’s on-demand transit service and to consider a larger city-run transit option.

Clayton Harrison, identifying himself as a lifelong Grand Prairie resident, told the council the current Via Grand Prairie service “lacks coverage, reliability, and scalability” and proposed a Grand Prairie transit system that would combine a central rail line with an expanded bus network. Harrison said Via’s limited coverage left northern and southern neighborhoods underserved, that on-demand service was unreliable during peak hours and that the city needs a plan that is “reliable, scalable, and environmentally sustainable.”

Steve Rankin said he had been locked out of his Via app for three days and described long wait times for rides, particularly during times when school is in session. Rankin said seniors were supposed to have priority but that students appeared to get more “seniority” during some runs, resulting in extended waits for older riders.

Councilmembers did not take action during the meeting; public comments were entered for council consideration and possible follow-up by city staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Prairie - City Council 01212025 - Jan 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment on Jan. 20, 2025, residents urged improvements to Via on-demand service, with one speaker proposing a city transit system combining rail and expanded bus service and another reporting long waits and service irregularities for seniors.","taxTitle","Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2784,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679244,"Council denies cell-tower zoning and special-use permit after neighborhood opposition",462,1415000,1877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943&start=1415&end=1877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943/thumbnail_1415000.jpg","/articles/6679244/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-denies-cell-tower-zoning-and-special-use-permit-after-neighborhood-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679244-e5deb43930e9b725747b012d35e9e8b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775638901&Signature=UGyFrT-dPfm9HbtqP8pLPCSJWGU4vpTGuUVZY-FDtnFu98Syk6wWg-1Pjbc99es3nt2kP18hsvKTY5j-jfc54mRgPpQ53~CbApLDPCH-jLr4ghtuSSU98GPvM9uUB8x-g9qJsY9qCgrWQz4jzDZDmVAKVk0lJiWx8r4-tEuYzxJAo5T1zwN2ibC8~U8pXLqr0G5yHN~yqSR0pmW5L1Wdx34IsD9jNK3pPdqCE4TDamJDStT7C~lqva4rB5PpFDVgkpNVq-47u4rZGvUTrWMD6O61fN0HYO5Gbr5CFUygwsN7FHox0z1glnDUJrlJCX5pobs3s-sDEK7fIqpe0W1tjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Prairie City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, voted to deny a zoning change and a neighborhood design/special-use permit (NDSUP) for a proposed cell tower on Rust Creek Church property near Lakeview West after residents and the homeowners association voiced opposition.

Councilmember Johnson moved to deny items 16 and 17, a motion the council approved. The council also later tabled item 18 to allow for a staff site visit and additional review.

Developer Alec Broadus of Broadus Services, who said his firm had worked with major carriers for 25 years and that Verizon was the launch customer for the site, argued that the area “stinks” for coverage and that approving the tower would likely produce service within six to nine months. Broadus said previous efforts to find a suitable site had been unsuccessful, that the church had agreed to the location and that the Planning and Zoning Commission had voted unanimously in favor.

Opponents, including Mike Grissom and homeowners who said they represent the Lakeview West neighborhood and its homeowners association, said the tower would be too close to houses, could depress property values and posed perceived safety risks. Grissom told the council he had “very few words to say” but then described three areas of opposition: that improved service was not needed, that the project could affect property values and that nearby residents had not heard direct answers from the proposed carrier about coverage and need. Grissom said Verizon already has antennas on a nearby 250-foot tower less than 1.5 miles away and questioned why another tall tower was necessary.

Grissom also raised concerns, as voiced by neighbors, about possible radio-frequency exposure from new 5G antennas within a quarter- to half-mile radius and said the neighborhood association opposed the installation. Broadus responded that 17 neighbors had expressed opposition at a canvass he referenced and said he was unclear how the broader neighborhood felt; he urged council members to consider future coverage needs as new homes are built.

A staff presenter displayed a site plan and an elevation rendering of the proposed structure, which staff said would be constructed by a third-party installer (identified in public comment as Rodus) with Verizon as the initial carrier. During council discussion, members referenced neighborhood canvassing and said they were voting in response to residents’ expressed concerns.

After the denial of items 16 and 17, the council moved to table item 18 to allow for a staff site visit to the location; the motion to table carried.","The council voted Jan. 20, 2025, to deny zoning and a special-use permit for a proposed cell tower on church property near Lakeview West, following testimony from a developer urging approval and neighborhood speakers raising property-value and safety concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679247,"Grand Prairie council approves consent agenda including arts funding, grant applications and bond parameters",1211,133000,1344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943&start=133&end=1344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136265-d5785c31cb2e6dada3bd1fc3f0ef5943/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6679247/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Grand-Prairie-council-approves-consent-agenda-including-arts-funding-grant-applications-and-bond-parameters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679247-6bc66c35e9bd70be6c3998a27fe8661c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775638901&Signature=Q6SakyfyVmXemuvaogumwauLg8sCAi3BdAjbvsVHtvP3XG1dDC0cmPmxlsZ5-SfMEJI-UtbBgWN6r2uPIxp1Rtps3dY5Zjctja8YqETN6~vRac6Lxtouhk362TBUhYQTC88nxHeZPumvUYB1drV9G5u7bcd67gJlwDNtpKQb89fUJvBJJLCrh1eqp20CCTK1HEXbaBqeGEO38ApsZYPdYGAg~lEbAJ5oaoT2oeneMLepshxbW77GfCOz8WVhfvok3xzr4CPZyGMkUok1jX6Zlr1LwVH0NKFICVWOq-XN94Vi7JbOKsG0QaINhSzjzHzhZ7pCK9baenFkzfbuvXCyJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Prairie City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, approved its consent agenda, advancing several funding and grant items including $75,000 to the Grand Prairie Arts Council from hotel-motel tax revenues, authorization to pursue a $192,000 Department of Energy grant for two mobile electric-vehicle charging units and parameters for certificates of obligation and water revenue bonds.

The approvals came during the council’s regular meeting after Mayor Pro Tem Clemson moved to approve items 2 through 13 on the consent agenda; the motion carried. Residents asked questions about several items before the vote, and staff provided details during the discussion.

Why it matters: the hotel-motel tax funding supports events and programs intended to attract visitors and tourism spending; the charging-unit grant would expand electric-fleet support as the city grows its EV fleet; and the certificates of obligation and water revenue bonds fund capital work on water and sewer infrastructure.

On arts funding, a staff member identified as Sarah said the $75,000 “is for the promotion and facilitation of arts in Grand Prairie” and that the money “helps them offset some of the expenses that they incur by having those programs.” A council member asked which fund the money would come from; staff explained it is hotel-motel tax revenue — commonly called the “hot tax” — and a council member clarified that the tax may be used for tourism-related promotions.

City staff also described the planned grants and capital financing. Jody Cason, the city’s environmental quality manager, said the $192,000 award for charging units is “a grant through the Department of Energy,” and that the two mobile units would each be able to “charge 2 at a time” and be stored at city facilities when not deployed. Krishna Penney, the city’s chief information officer, said the city is applying for a cybersecurity grant of about $364,000; staff described an expected selection timeline of roughly six months if the city is chosen to receive funds.

On capital financing, Talbot, the management services director, told the council that the parameters ordinance for certificates of obligation would be passed that night, that the bonds are expected to be priced on Jan. 27, and that fund delivery would be “approximately middle of February.” Talbot said the certificates of obligation package was approximately $48,000,000 and water revenue bonds were about $18,000,000, with proceeds intended for waterworks and sewer system projects including water and sewer lines and elevated storage tanks.

Other procedural actions taken in the same session included tabling item 14 to a future special meeting and reapproval of item 15 after staff and council indicated no further presentation was needed. The reapproval motion for item 15 was made by Councilmember Johnson and passed.

The council did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the meeting minutes for the consent vote; the mayor announced that the motion carried.","The City Council approved consent items 2–13 on Jan. 20, 2025, allocating $75,000 in hotel-motel tax revenue for the Grand Prairie Arts Council, authorizing pursuit of a $192,000 DOE grant for two mobile EV charging units and approving parameters for certificates of obligation and water revenue bonds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on Via on-demand service and propose a Grand Prairie transit plan

Council denies cell-tower zoning and special-use permit after neighborhood opposition

Grand Prairie council approves consent agenda including arts funding, grant applications and bond parameters