Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arlington council approves planned development for 29-home project on South Cooper Street
Summary
The Arlington City Council approved a planned development to allow 29 detached single-family homes at 7708 South Cooper Street after hearing concerns from nearby residents about density, trees, and traffic. The applicant said drainage and traffic will be addressed in later engineering review.
The Arlington City Council on a motion approved a planned development (PD 204-30) to rezone roughly 5.2 acres at 7708 South Cooper Street for 29 detached single-family homes.
The vote followed a public hearing in which neighbors pressed the council for lower density, greater setbacks and tree preservation. "It does not align with the architectural style, scale, and density of the surrounding area," said Regina Miranda, a nearby resident who opposed the proposal.
The applicant, Nikki Moore with MMA, told the council the project reduces potential traffic compared with commercial uses and will meet the city's engineering requirements at the construction plan stage. "Right now, 29 single family development would produce 22 trips during the AM peak hour and 29 trips in the PM peak hour," Moore said. She added that development under the current neighborhood commercial zoning could instead yield higher traffic if a 30,000-square-foot retail strip were built.
Neighbors emphasized scale and tree loss. "Each home is on 2 acres. If you would imagine looking out your front door at the 2 homes across the street, take those 2 homes out and now put in 29. That's what's happening to our neighborhood," said Gloria Smith, a long‑time resident.
Councilmembers and the applicant discussed site design and deviations from the Unified Development Code (UDC). Moore said the project will provide a precast concrete screen wall and preserve about 40% of on-site trees, including significant post oaks, and that required stormwater submittals and on-site detention will be provided during engineering review. She also said the developer will work with the city to improve Wanda Way, which currently has bar-ditch drainage, by installing curb, gutter, and sidewalks where required.
Council Member Galante moved to approve the PD; Council Member Pham seconded. The motion passed.
The council approved the rezoning itself rather than specific building permits; Moore and other speakers said final drainage, construction and landscaping details will be resolved in the engineering and permitting process.
The council's approval creates a new PD zoning for the site; the development will return to building‑permit review for compliance with stormwater, traffic and construction standards.
