Arlington planners approve amendment to establish drilling zone at East Arkansas Lane

The City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission on July 16, 2025 approved SUP09-20R1, an amendment to the specific-use permit that establishes a drilling zone at 3031 East Arkansas Lane.

Cecilia Leyba, gaswell coordinator for Planning and Development Services, told the commission the 3.31-acre site is currently zoned industrial manufacturing and has existing infrastructure including two separators and six production tanks. Leyba said the operator will replace the existing chain-link fence with an 8-foot masonry wall and add a 20-foot landscape buffer and new trees; the site includes a frac pond enclosed by fencing and lies within two miles of five existing gas well sites.

Leslie Garvis, representing TotalEnergies Barnett USA LLC, said the pad is well screened by an existing berm and surrounding trees, described the masonry wall and additional landscaping, and noted plans for dust mitigation, sound abatement and road upgrades. "We will be doing a road upgrade as necessary on that location," Garvis said, and added that the operator will install sound abatement walls and maintain a dust-control plan.

No members of the public registered opposition; a number of nonspeakers were noted in support. Commissioner Blake moved to approve the amended SUP and Commissioner Winkels seconded. The motion passed with eight votes in favor and one abstention.

What’s next: The approval authorizes the operator to proceed with the proposed fencing, buffering and mitigation measures subject to any permitting conditions required by city staff.