Work Session Notes - June 1, 2026
And the same black line That was drawn on you Was drawn on me And now it's drawn me in
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Your City Council is back at work with a very interesting discussion of a future development project for Downtown on tap for tonight. We will also discuss tightening short-term rental regulations and final allocations for our CDGB funds. I hope you can join us or watch the proceedings tonight. As always, my comments are in bold italics.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
1. First Baptist Church of Garland: Alley Abandonment
Council is requested to consider abandoning the remainder of Alley Rights-of-Way for redevelopment of the First Baptist Church of Garland site. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 16, 2026 Regular Meeting.
If you have driven by First Baptist Church lately, you may have seen a large construction site for a new sanctuary building. This $28 million renovation project continues the work of revitalizing downtown that began with the 2019 Downtown Square bond project.
(Images from https://www.fbcgarland.org/images/uploads/Legacy_Continues/Legacy_booklet_single_pgs_fixed.pdf)
With this agenda item, council is asked to abandon the City’s interest in two alley rights-of-way so that the redevelopment project can continue unencumbered. Garland has already abandoned rights-of-way for the church first in 1901 then again in 1953. With this project, the church will dedicate new easements for landscaping and pedestrian improvements along S. Glenbrook Drive, W. Avenue C, W. Avenue D, and S. Ninth Street.
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a verbal Briefing.
2. Proposals for 116 S. Sixth Street
Staff will provide a presentation on unsolicited proposals the City has received regarding potential development and use of the current City-owned property at 116 S. 6th Street.
Presenter: Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager, Dana Lodge, CVB & Events Director
The City has received four unsolicited proposals for developing the city-owned property at 116 S. 6th Street. Originally built as Fire Station #1 in 1940, the 4,988 square foot building has since been used by Boy Scout Troop 100.
(The building with the fire trucks in front.)
(Current image courtesy of Google Streetview)
The property was originally included in a 2024 Request for Proposals covering several city-owned downtown properties which received no responses. Since then, we received four unsolicited proposals and have asked the submitters to present their proposals to the council tonight.
The first proposal is for a non-alcoholic bottle shop and event space, vintage goods retail and podcast studio offering $400,000 for the property. The bottle shop is similar to the one currently operating on Main Street in Richardson.
The second proposal is for a wedding and event venue, floral studio and a boutique gift shop. This offer is for $550,000 for the property but requests $600,000 in incentives from the city and requests the city to include and move the adjacent public restroom next to the site.
The third proposal is for a Dallas Training Collective (gym) and physical therapy center for $450,000 with no incentives.
Finally, the last proposal is for a restaurant, art gallery and a speakeasy (Mexican BBQ concept) offering $400,000 for the building or $450,000 if the restroom parcel is included.
With all of these proposals, Council must weigh not only the offering price and economic impact, but how the proposals fit into our Downtown Redevelopment Implementation Plan priorities of retaining the “authentic” feel of Downtown, preserving the historical character, and strengthening Downtown as a destination district.
(Overview of proposals)
It’s an exciting time for Downtown to receive so much interest in this property, and I am looking forward to the discussions tonight.
3. 2026-2027 CDBG, HOME, and ESG Federal Grant Allocations
Staff will present a final overview of the proposed allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Infill Partnership Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for Program Year 2026-27.
Presenter: Jason Wilhite, Construction Manager
After tallying and averaging Council’s totals for the distribution of CDGB funds, staff will return tonight to present the final allocations. After the discussion, final allocations will return at our June 16 Regular session for a final vote.
4. Amendment to Chapters 26 and 32 of the Code of Ordinances - Short-Term Rentals
Council is requested to consider an amendment to Chapters 26 and 32 of the Code of Ordinances related to the regulation of short-term rentals. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 2, 2026 Regular Meeting.
Presenter: Brian England, City Attorney
In our continuing efforts to balance the rights of homeowners and short-term rental operators (think AirBnB or VRBO), Council will discuss tightening the regulations further. Currently, the city does not have a means to hold occupants of unpermitted or unlicensed short-term rentals accountable after they have been told that the use is unlawful. This means that if a property does not have the right to be used as a short-term rental, we currently cannot charge the occupant with an offense and people continue to use the property illegally. This item will attempt to rectify that issue.
For properties that have had their permit revoked by the city, a sign will be placed in the right-of-way that states, “NOTICE: THE OWNER OF THIS PREMISES DOES NOT HAVE A VALID SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT. IT IS A VIOLATION OF LOCAL ORDINANCE TO OCCUPY OR USE THIS PREMISES AS A SHORT-TERM RENTAL FOR PARTIES, OVER-NIGHT STAYS OR OTHER EVENTS.” With this sign placement, the renters cannot say that they were not aware that they couldn’t use the property as a rental.
5. Real Property Transfer at Holford Road and Naaman Forest Boulevard
Council is requested to consider approving the exchange with Spring Creek Church of an approximate 0.4393 acre tract of property originally acquired for street and right-of-way purposes at the north intersection of Holford Road and Naaman Forest Boulevard to the adjoining landowner for an approximate 0.4609 acre tract of land on the southwest side of Naaman Forest Boulevard adjacent to City-owned property to be used for public purposes. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 2, 2026 Regular Meeting.
Presenter: Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager
Due to the configuration of Holford Road and Naaman Forest Blvd. several triangular shaped tracts were created when the right-of-way was dedicated. With this item we will swap a triangular piece of property (0.4393 acres) the city owns for one owned by Spring Creek Church (0.4609 acres). The tracts are approximately equal in size and will allow the church to have property on the hard corner of Naaman Forest Blvd. for future development.
(The City-owned property)
(The Church-owned property)
ANNOUNCE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to deliberate and discuss the following:
6. Attorney/client matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information related to the legal parameters of determining zoning and land use cases brought before City Council (551.071).
Since we are discussing a future development along Sixth Street, here’s “6th Avenue Heartache” by Jacob Dylan’s The Wallflowers. I got to see them perform in May of 1998 at the now closed Texas Sky Festival Park in Corpus Christi. However, I must say that I liked The Toadies who opened the show for them much better!
On Item 2, I prefer the Firehouse Commons proposal. It best preserves the history of the location. I do not believe downtown needs another Mexican or BBQ restaurant.
I like the speakeasy / restaurant combo most for the firehouse location but agree that we don’t need more bbq or Mex food. What seems missing downtown is Italian or maybe a test kitchen/upscale food court format with the speakeasy. I’m opposed to the gym (sweaty people not hanging on square) and the event center (design).
Regarding the City/Church swap, I understand the church plans to sell this property and invest the proceeds in local charities. The hard corner will be taxable eventually. So I’m in favor of this.