Arlington council approves 10 Maverick gas-well permits after hours of public opposition

The Arlington City Council voted Feb. 4 to approve a resolution authorizing 10 new gas well permits for the Maverick drill site, a decision that drew more than an hour of public comment from residents, health professionals and environmental advocates who said the wells would threaten children—s health and the surrounding neighborhood.

Speakers opposing the permit said the proposed site sits close to day care facilities and elementary schools and cited peer-reviewed studies and local health observations tying oil-and-gas operations to respiratory problems, preterm births and other risks. Rita Beving of Public Citizen urged the council to deny the permit, saying, "I ask you to deny this permit." Wanda Vincent, owner of Mother's Heart Learning Center, told council members, "The health and safety of our children is of utmost importance." Leslie Garvis, the Total Energies representative, told council that drilling decisions are made on geology: "We drill in what's called the Barnett Shale ... that is the only thing we make the decision on is on geology."

The public hearing followed staff presentations and a legal reminder that the city—s authority over oil-and-gas operations is limited by state law. City staff noted that House Bill 40 (2015) substantially restricts municipal regulation of oil-and-gas activity and that some matters, including air quality and public-health regulation, fall to state and federal agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas Railroad Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. The staff remark in the meeting record stated that the city—s authority is "limited to the above ground surface activity." (City staff presentation and public hearing comments are reflected in the meeting record.)

Council action and procedural notes

After public comment, Councilmember Hogg moved and Councilmember Pham seconded a motion; the motion passed. The meeting record shows only that the motion passed; the transcript does not include a roll-call vote tally or the exact motion wording. Earlier in the meeting the council approved minutes for its Feb. 4 afternoon and evening sessions (motion from Councilmember Gonzales, second from Councilmember Odum Wesley; "The motion passes"), and the consent agenda containing multiple contracts, ordinances and resolutions was also approved by the council earlier in the session.

What residents and experts said

Dozens of residents and health professionals testified in opposition. Speakers repeatedly emphasized proximity to Mother's Heart Learning Center (a licensed day care serving infants through 12-year-olds) and nearby elementary schools, described recurring odors, headaches and respiratory symptoms near existing drill sites, and cited studies linking proximity to unconventional oil-and-gas operations with preterm birth, low birth weight, asthma and certain cancers. Dr. Francisco Fialho, a physician, listed reproductive and perinatal risks associated with benzene exposure; retired pediatrician Floyd Ostrom read and provided scientific case reports focusing on volatile organic compounds and developmental risks.

Speakers also highlighted local demographics and equity concerns: several said the neighborhood near the Maverick site is predominantly residents of color and low-income, that many nearby households are renters who do not receive mailed notice, and that language barriers limited participation in some outreach. Ranjana Bandari said notice went only to property owners and noted "Crossways alone has about 400 apartments" and that many neighbors "are more comfortable in Spanish." Speakers asked the council to adopt larger setbacks — noting examples from other Texas cities (Dallas: 1,500 feet; Denton: 2,000 feet; several cities cited by speakers at least 1,000 feet) — and to require independent baseline and follow-up environmental testing paid for by operators.

Operator and regulatory context

Leslie Garvis, representing the operator Total Energies, answered questions and said the company had conducted the public meetings required for the permit process. City staff reiterated that HB 40 limits municipal regulation of oil-and-gas operations and that air and public-health jurisdiction lies with state and federal agencies (TCEQ, Texas Railroad Commission, EPA). Several speakers and advocates urged the council to pursue stronger local measures where law allows and to lobby at the state level for broader municipal authority.

Council response and follow-up

Councilmember Gonzales thanked speakers and said staff should hold community meetings in Spanish and Vietnamese; he also said he would ask for an informal staff report on increasing setbacks at the council—s March 5 meeting. Multiple council members acknowledged constituent concerns during the hearing. The transcript does not record any structural changes to the city—s code during the meeting; the council closed the public hearing and the motion before the council passed.

Votes at a glance (from the Feb. 4 meeting record)

- Minutes (Feb. 4 afternoon and evening): motion from Councilmember Gonzales, second from Councilmember Odum Wesley; outcome: motion passes (tally not specified in transcript). - Consent agenda (contains 16 minute orders, 7 ordinances and 14 resolutions including contracts, zoning items and a drill zone listed among ordinances): outcome: approved as announced by staff and confirmed by council (tally not specified). - Continuances: Item 10.1 continued to March 25 (motion from Councilmember Galante, second Councilmember Hunter; outcome: motion passes). Item 10.2 continued to March 4 (motion from Councilmember Gonzales, second Councilmember Hunter; outcome: motion passes). - Resolution to authorize 10 new gas well permits for the Maverick drill site: staff presented the resolution and the operator spoke in support; the public hearing included numerous speakers in opposition and a staff reminder about HB 40. Motion to act (mover: Councilmember Hogg; seconder: Councilmember Pham); outcome: motion passes (transcript records the motion and that it passed; exact motion text and roll-call tally not recorded in the public transcript).

Clarifying details from the meeting record

- Number of new wells proposed at the Maverick site: 10 (stated by staff). - Nearby childcare: Mother's Heart Learning Center licensed for 102 children (speaker statement). - Setbacks discussed: Arlington currently uses a 600-foot setback referenced in testimony; speakers cited other cities— setbacks (Dallas 1,500 feet; Denton 2,000 feet; several cites at least 1,000 feet). Speakers also reported contradictory distance statements in the record (one speaker said the site was "1,063 feet away from the preschool" while also noting "about 900 feet from the closest setback"). - Legal limits: House Bill 40 (2015) was cited by staff as substantially limiting municipal authority over oil-and-gas operations to above-ground activities; air quality and public-health regulation fall under state and federal agencies (TCEQ, Texas Railroad Commission, EPA).

Community relevance and next steps

The decision will allow the operator to proceed with permits under Texas law and local administrative process; multiple public speakers urged the council to pursue larger setbacks, more multilingual outreach and independent environmental monitoring. Councilmember Gonzales requested staff follow-up about setbacks at the March 5 meeting and asked for broader language access for community meetings. Several advocacy groups said they plan further outreach at the state and federal levels, including engagement around pending state and federal measures referenced during public comment.

Ending

The council—s recorded action to approve the resolution concludes this phase of the permitting process; the transcript does not record subsequent administrative steps, any roll-call vote counts, nor whether the operator has obtained any required state-level approvals. Residents and advocacy groups in the meeting record signaled they will continue to press for larger setbacks, independent testing and legislative change.