Council approves Olive Garden at former TGI Fridays site; adopts crime-control budget and OKs several contracts
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Summary
Cedar Hill City Council unanimously approved a conditional-use permit and site plan for an Olive Garden restaurant at 311 N. Clark Road, adopted the Crime Control and Prevention District budget for FY2026 and approved three consent-agenda contracts during its June 10 meeting.
The Cedar Hill City Council on June 10 approved a conditional-use permit (CUP7072025) and site plan allowing an Olive Garden restaurant, with on-premises sale of alcoholic beverages, at 311 North Clark Road, the former TGI Fridays site.
The action, made by Councilmember McCurdy and seconded by Councilmember Malone, passed unanimously. Jim Powell, development manager for Darden Restaurants, said the company will demolish the existing building and build a new Olive Garden of about 6,400 square feet. “We’re just excited to bring a new Olive Garden to Cedar Hill,” Powell said. He told the council that, if permits are issued promptly, construction would begin in July and the restaurant could open around mid‑April 2026.
Council members asked about size, operations and site work. Powell said the proposed building’s kitchen would be the same size as larger Olive Garden locations though the dining room would hold fewer seats to fit the site. He said alcohol historically represents about 8% of the brand’s food sales and that the restaurant will not have an exterior patio or amplified music. He also said the project team has submitted an irrigation plan and adjusted landscaping to meet Planning & Zoning conditions.
In separate business the council adopted Ordinance No. 2025‑851, approving the fiscal year 2026 budget for the Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) for the period Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026. The ordinance, which the city secretary read into the record, appropriates district revenues for maintenance, operations and various district activities and improvements. The motion to adopt came from Pro Tem Sims and passed unanimously.
The council also approved the consent agenda, which included: (a) authorization for the mayor to execute a contract with Veritex for $62,165 for water customer-portal upgrades (live chat and online service-request features); (b) authorization to execute a project implementation and local agreement with Dallas County under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for the Somerset sidewalk extension project; and (c) authorization to purchase personnel protective gear from Casco Industries for $65,000. Council approved the consent items by a single unanimous vote.
The meeting included ceremonial items: Mayor Steve Mason presented a proclamation naming June 14, 2025, as Juneteenth celebration day in Cedar Hill and Fire Chief Reyes conducted badge pinning and oath administration for newly hired and promoted fire personnel. Those items were presented without formal council opposition or roll-call votes.
Votes at a glance
- CUP7072025 (311 N. Clark Road / Olive Garden) — Motion to approve: made by Councilmember McCurdy, seconded by Councilmember Malone; outcome: approved unanimously. - Ordinance No. 2025‑851 (CCPD FY2026 budget) — Motion to adopt: made by Pro Tem Sims; outcome: approved unanimously. - Consent agenda items a–c (Veritex contract $62,165; CDBG Somerset sidewalk agreement; Casco Industries PPE $65,000) — Motion to approve consent: made and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously.
The council did not record any votes in opposition during the meeting. The public hearing on the Olive Garden application drew no public speakers in favor or opposition; the applicant answered council questions during the hearing.
