The Arlington City Council approved a development plan on a 23-acre site at 2601 West Randall Mill Road for a 360-unit multifamily project after public hearings and extended discussion.

The project, proposed by OHT Partners, is zoned RMF‑22 and will proceed at a density the developer described as lower than the maximum allowed. The council voted to approve the development plan after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with five stipulations.

Howell Beaver, representing OHT Partners, told the council, “We are proposing a low density, best in class apartment project.” He said the plan builds at 16 units per acre, preserves about 70% of trees on site, keeps lot coverage and impervious surface below typical limits, and reduces building height to three stories. The design includes 70 tuck‑under garages in place of detached one‑story garages, a gated entrance, 8‑foot board‑on‑board fencing where the site abuts single‑family homes, redesigned trash compactor locations, and designated rideshare areas.

Civil engineer Josh Steiger and the applicant said they will submit a traffic impact analysis (TIA) during the subdivision/plat stage and implement any mitigation measures required by the city. City staff told council members the TIA and any required right‑of‑way or lane improvements would be reviewed and required through the plat and engineering review process, not at the council stage.

Opponents — including longtime neighbors and leaders of homeowners associations — spoke in force. Bob Wolffel told the council, “No new apartments in our area,” and multiple residents urged smaller scale redevelopment, senior housing, or public uses instead. Speakers repeatedly raised traffic and safety concerns at the Randall Mill and Westwood Drive intersection and urged the council to require any recommended roadway improvements be built before occupancy.

Council members acknowledged those concerns. Several members noted the developer had made changes in response to community input, including increased tree preservation, a larger buffer and fence height, and reconfigured garages. Council member Hogg emphasized traffic as the principal unresolved worry and asked whether the TIA might require a dedicated left‑turn or deceleration lane at the site drives; the applicant said the TIA will evaluate those options and that the developer had committed to implementing any improvements the engineer and city require.

The council motion to approve was made by Council Member Bridal and seconded by Council Member Odom Westley; the motion passed. The approval moves the project to the platting and engineering review stages, where the TIA and specific construction mitigation measures will be finalized.

Council and the applicant agreed to continue post‑approval coordination with neighbors on tree preservation species selection, fence screening, and the location and public access arrangements for a proposed dog park. The developer also offered to support exploring a dog‑park location in nearby Randall Mill Park, subject to parks department approval.

The project was filed as DP25‑01 and remains subject to final engineering, plat approval, and any conditions imposed during that review.