Arlington approves warehouse plan by airport, but urges developers to listen to neighbors
Arlington City Council members have moved along a request to rezone an undeveloped space for office and warehouse development — as long as the developer reaches out to concerned residents who live next door.
Miles Terry of developer Jackson-Shaw is one step closer to developing Parc 20, a two-building facility at 4801 S. Collins St. Terry and Douglas Cooper, with engineering firm Mycoskie and Associates in Arlington, said the plan will create new jobs in the city, alleviate flooding in the neighborhood and make use of undeveloped land. The plans also include for a barrier wall and trees to minimize noise.
“Both the buildings and the site were designed with respect to, and in coherence with, their surroundings,” Terry wrote in an emailed statement.
However, a handful of nearby residents said no amount of mitigation can change the fact they’ll have a warehouse facility within 50 yards of their homes.
“It’s not going to be the same for us,” Angelica Chavez Mireles said. Mireles gathered 15 petition signatures from residents along the property line. The petition cited issues ranging from the environmental and health hazards construction poses to the trash, increased crime and traffic the facilities may bring. One resident said he and his family is moving because of the proposal.
Developers responded to the petitioners’ concerns, assuring construction would be in line with city requirements and environmental regulations and that Parc 20 would not impact their quality of life.
The council approved the proposal 8-1 on Tuesday following six residents’ comments against the proposal and eight supporting Parc 20. District 3 Councilman Marvin Sutton, who represents the neighborhood, opposed the application — even though he has previously supported the project — due to residents’ concerns.
“I’d like to see a little bit more dialogue” between the developers and residents, he said..
Helen Moise, District 1 Councilwoman, suggested proposing set hours in which trucks could operate on the site to allay noise concerns.
“You might have more neighborhood support from the houses that back up to the project if you have some limits,” she said.
Other council members, including Dr. Ignacio Nunez, who represents District 5, asked Terry to consider including a rest area to encourage drivers to turn off their vehicles.
“Thank you for the wall, thank you for the eight-foot trees. We’re just asking for a little bit more,” he said.
After their initial public meeting was canceled, the developers, as well as property owner and Arlington attorney Kris Landrith, visited with residents earlier in the year to field concerns. Landrith purchased the property in 1996 and said he has been searching for a developer who, like him, cares about their neighbors.
“I believe we’ve found the best suited developer for the tract for several reasons,” he said.
Mayor Jeff Williams called on residents with concerns to lend an “open ear” to the developers. Williams said previous councils and commissions have considered several projects for the site but denied them. Additionally, he said, the site location would not lend well to commercial or residential development. Although the site has sat unused for decades, he said, it cannot remain undeveloped forever.
“It is not realistic to believe that that will be green space from now on,” he said.
City council members must vote on the zoning case a second time before the request is approved. Arlington City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
