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Arlington council approves zoning change for vehicle‑wrapping business at South Cooper Street
Summary
The council unanimously approved a planned‑development zoning change allowing an auto‑styling and vehicle‑wrapping business at 2504 South Cooper Street, with applicants and the property owner emphasizing interior operations and landscaping improvements to reduce street‑front clutter.
The Arlington City Council on Jan. 27 unanimously approved a planned‑development zoning change to allow an auto‑styling and vehicle‑wrapping business at 2504 South Cooper Street.
Miss Thoppel, city planning staff, introduced PD‑25‑19 as a change from community commercial zoning to a planned development that would permit community‑commercial uses and allow an auto‑repair‑major use limited to aesthetic and customization work. “What we're trying to get in there is a tenant that's doing vehicle wraps ... There's no prep. There's no disassembly of vehicles,” applicant David Dowling said, describing operations as interior-only and aesthetic in nature.
Hajar “Jay Z” Cindy, who said he runs the auto‑styling business, told the council his shop focuses on color changes, wraps and cosmetic wheel work rather than mechanical repairs. “We like to keep that at a minimum ... We have insurance, security cameras, everything like that,” he said.
Property owner Tom Mast said the building has been difficult to lease and that automotive services are consistent with surrounding uses. “Putting an automotive shop in this area is really appropriate for the neighborhood because there's automotive all around it,” Mast said, and added the team has removed nonconforming pole signs and begun landscaping and exterior repairs.
Council members asked about on‑site parking and whether vehicles would be stored outdoors. Council member Hogg voiced concerns about cars stacking up on a major road and asked how the applicant would prevent that; downtown staff and the applicant said employees and working vehicles would be parked in the rear and work cars would be kept indoors.
After the public hearing closed, Council member Peel moved to approve PD‑25‑19 and Council member Hunter seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The applicant asked staff about obtaining a temporary certificate of occupancy; the mayor directed the applicant to follow up with city staff, noting council does not issue certificates of occupancy.
Votes at a glance: motion to approve PD‑25‑19 (mover: Peel; second: Hunter) — passed unanimously.
This article is based on the city council’s public hearing and vote on Jan. 27. The first related discussion appears at SEG 252 and the council passed the measure in the segment ending SEG 736.
