Council denies special-use permit for proposed Diamond Lock thrift store after neighborhood outcry

North Richland Hills — The City Council voted 5-2 on Feb. 24 to deny a special-use permit for Juanito’s Giving Tree, a proposed secondhand goods store at 6350 Glenview Drive in the Diamond Lock Plaza.

Supporters of the application, including applicant Jasmine Rangel, described the business as a clean, well-organized thrift shop that would offer job training and community support. Opponents — including the Diamond Lock Homeowners Association and a string of residents who spoke during a packed public hearing — said the plaza already struggles with dumping, loitering and inadequate dumpster capacity and that a thrift operation would make those problems worse.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment. Kieran McMahon, president of the Diamond Lock Homeowners Association, told the council, “Diamond Lock is a cornerstone of community pride and connection,” and urged officials to protect the neighborhood’s character and safety. Several residents recounted trash and trespass incidents behind the shopping center and said one dumpster serves the entire plaza.

Clayton Husband, the city planner who presented staff analysis, said the property is zoned local retail and that the city’s ordinance requires a special-use permit for secondhand dealers. Husband noted the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a 4-1 vote but also reported that written opposition from property owners within the notice boundary exceeded 20 percent, which under state law requires 6 affirmative votes for approval.

Applicant Jasmine Rangel said the business would not solicit local donations and would source inventory from longstanding clients of a family cleaning business. She told the council the store would emphasize cleanliness and community partnerships and install cameras and additional lighting.

Council deliberations focused on neighborhood impact, code enforcement capacity and the purpose of the city’s special-use-permit process. Councilmember Russell Mitchell moved to deny the ordinance request; Mayor Pro Tem Kelvin Dupree seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-2; the council did not record individual roll-call votes in the public audio transcript.

The denial leaves the site’s existing zoning intact; the property owner or another applicant could return with a different proposal or a revised application. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff materials presented to council noted nearby thrift and resale stores elsewhere in the city and in neighboring jurisdictions but also highlighted the proximity of the proposed location to single-family backyards.

Residents and council members emphasized ongoing code-enforcement work as part of the broader conversation about neighborhood maintenance. City staff said illegal dumping complaints are handled through code enforcement notices; property owners are typically given a notice period and the city may later remove persistent accumulations and charge the owner.

The council’s action came near the end of a meeting that also covered other zoning requests, budget and operational items. The denial will be reflected in the zoning files and in public meeting minutes once posted.