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Arlington approves accessory living unit for caregiver housing at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive
Summary
The commission approved a specific use permit for a secondary living unit so a homeowner can house and care for her 94‑year‑old mother; commissioners debated precedent and enforceability of future rental restrictions but ultimately approved the SUP 6–2.
The Planning and Zoning Commission granted a Specific Use Permit (SUP25‑2) on Wednesday for a secondary living unit at 319 Matlock Meadow Drive to allow the homeowner, Fabiola Chavez, to provide independent living for her 94‑year‑old mother.
Staff planner Alex Van Amberg explained that the proposed 948‑square‑foot accessory unit meets the Unified Development Code’s size, setback and lot‑coverage requirements for an accessory dwelling in an RS‑7.2 residential district, and that the site backs onto a 50‑foot pipeline easement. Chavez told commissioners the detached unit is designed to be handicap accessible and will allow her to care for her mother without placing her in an institutional setting.
Several commissioners probed alternatives and long‑term enforceability. Commissioner Blake said he preferred an attached addition to the primary house to avoid potential future conversions to rentals but acknowledged the SUP process is the established route for family‑member accessory units. Staff and the assistant director said the commission can place conditions or a term on an SUP and suggested administrative follow‑ups to monitor compliance; the commission approved the SUP 6–2.
The owner said she does not plan to sell and that her daughter might occupy the unit in future years. Commissioners included no automatic rental authorization as part of the approval; they noted the city can require deed restrictions or periodic reporting if it chooses to add operational conditions during permitting.
