Arlington council denies rezoning for packaged liquor store at Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard

The Arlington City Council on May 27 rejected a planned-development zoning change that would have allowed a packaged liquor store and an 800-square-foot takeout restaurant with a drive-through at 721 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard.

The applicant, represented at the hearing by Navi Becker speaking for his father, proposed converting existing vacant storefronts into a single 2,400-square-foot packaged-liquor store alongside an 800-square-foot restaurant. Becker described landscaping, parking-lot repairs and other property improvements made since purchasing the site and said the business would aim to be a family-run alternative to larger chain liquor outlets.

The request drew skepticism from several council members. Council member Hogg cited a saturation map and said the location is “across catty corner from a church,” adding that approving a zoning change creates a long-term entitlement that could persist if the property were sold. Hogg said he has not voted to allow a liquor store via zoning during his time on council and expressed concern about future owners should the property change hands. Council member Gonzales thanked the applicant for improvements but said she expected a difficult path to approval, noting prior denials of similar requests.

Council member Galante offered a contrasting view, saying in part, “If it was good enough for PNZ tonight, I’m gonna bet on you, and I’m gonna say yes.” The council ultimately took a motion to approve the rezoning — the motion was made by Council member Pham and seconded by Council member Galante — and the motion failed on the council floor. Mayor Jim Ross noted afterward, “I told you I’d be the only yes you got.”

Becker told the council he had collected six neighborhood signatures in support and described steps taken to repair the fence shared with adjacent homes. He also referenced Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission requirements such as LLC formation, minimum distance from schools and churches and minimum age and criminal-history criteria for license holders.

The council closed the public hearing and rejected the rezoning; no vote tally was read into the record. The applicant was not granted the planned-development zoning; council members suggested alternative commercial uses and urged the applicant to remain a neighborhood-minded owner.

The city clerk recorded a non-speaker in support; no additional formal actions were taken on the item beyond the failed motion.

About the speakers: Navi Becker represented the applicant at the podium and Council members discussed the item during the public hearing and vote. The applicant may reapply or pursue a different use allowed under the property’s current zoning.