Arlington OKs $83 million plan to expand airport

Tierra Verde: The City Council unanimously approved the first commercial rezoning case in the new Tierra Verde overlay district near U.S. 287 in southwest Arlington. Part of the 9-acre tract will be rezoned from agriculture to business for uses that include offices, warehouses and minor auto repairs. A specific use permit for gas well drilling was also approved. Several residents spoke in opposition to the rezoning request, voicing concerns that the land would be used for salvage yards. Capehart asked the applicant to not allow major automotive repairs and said the city would keep salvage yards from opening there. The city adopted strict zoning and building design guidelines in the largely undeveloped area around the upscale Tierra Verde Golf Course to encourage high-end residential and commercial development.

Storm-water fees: The council directed staff to create a storm-water mitigation program that could provide businesses a credit on their utility bill if they implement measures to reduce or improve the quality of runoff from their property. Such measures include adding storm-water retention ponds or porous pavers in their parking lots that allow rain to be absorbed into the ground. The city raised the storm-water fee for residential and commercial properties this year to generate more money for public infrastructure projects designed to reduce flooding.

Council candidates: Attorney Robert Shepard, former chairman of the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission, announced Tuesday that he will run for the at-large City Council seat that Steve McCollum will leave next spring. Candidate filing has not officially begun for the May election, but the Star-Telegram has reported that Arlington schools Trustee Michael Glaspie, a minister, is interested, as are civic activist Connie Ruff and developer/banker Bart Thompson.

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Susan Schrock, 817-548-5475

sschrock@star-telegram.com

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