[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6254495,"mediaKeyId","3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010","parentId",3173022,"title","Council debates new rules for parking RVs, boats and large trailers; staff to bring issue to town hall","audioSeconds",6336,"startMs",336000,"endMs",6672000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010&start=336&end=6672","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010/thumbnail_336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6254495/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-debates-new-rules-for-parking-RVs-boats-and-large-trailers-staff-to-bring-issue-to-town-hall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254495-c094ae2e7a1322dc024cba3132b46a1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985084&Signature=TsRhrpu6BGdkyniRCmbNRomKaFHB17om8UUDM2mjARdzsLNuPU37VGETKnVZlm-71HlKG9FhN0x4yzjB~-nLOWs3UvPmSFsQQUDvFdT5KDS46vRdGy-PbxUjbHM73bniKhuL07QCUKMr6474ZF8HHTDf5yJ54mWGfFcnE4Y8QEkPkjHy3~H0UerUaGnixGIjlZjeQXmDXkk8Otl0m2qh69LWL9jeTxpvPzLhn9l~6dZZHuDx93zzzh3sXOprdeF0hlyFgI~xEI-MhXCqny7lE3cb6RITLLz7H57njfaolcILxnzp268YnZsuILJUi9TAl0aHgEQmOxqGITFA9NX3ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Framers Branch TX","date","2025-04-30T02:02:17Z","article","Several residents told the Farmers Branch City Council on April 29 that parking of oversized recreational vehicles and trailers in residential neighborhoods has harmed neighborhood character, while others urged grandfathering for long-standing arrangements. Council later reviewed a staff proposal that would limit parking of oversized and commercial vehicles in residential zones and allow a 24-month grace period for current owners to find storage.

Resident Kendall Hale of Brookhaven said she has lived in her neighborhood for decades and asked the council to “grandfather us in” for owners who have parked trailers for many years, noting nearby construction dumpsters that also affect neighborhood appearance. Tom Cusick, a local builder and resident, said Farmers Branch is currently more permissive than surrounding cities and argued the city should require off-site storage for long-term, parked RVs and trailers.

Why it matters: Council members said the rules must balance neighborhood livability with practical concerns—some residents may need short-term access to their vehicles for trips or maintenance while others park oversized vehicles long-term in driveways or on streets.

Staff proposal and council questions

Staff proposed a 24-month grace period for existing owners, new definitions to prohibit on-site front-yard parking of RVs, boats, box trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks and trailers, and numeric limits (vehicles over 9 feet in width and a length limit shortened to 21 feet). The draft would allow parking in side or rear yards only if fully screened by fences, walls or vegetation. Staff said the draft removed a prior screening requirement for side-storage and instead clarified where vehicles may be stored.

Council members asked for exceptions for short-term use (loading/unloading, brief overnight stays) and for police permitting when vehicles must be parked on the street for limited periods. Councilman Neal suggested exploring low-cost storage options within the city so residents can keep vehicles inside city limits; staff noted a private property near Kenan Bridge that had been discussed previously as a potential storage site.

Enforcement and next steps

Staff said code-enforcement and police processes (notice of violation and opportunity to abate; court summons if unaddressed) would apply if an amended ordinance is adopted. Council agreed the item should be on the agenda for a town-hall conversation in May so neighbors can provide input before the council finalizes an ordinance.

Ending

No ordinance was adopted. Staff will present the proposed ordinance at a town hall and return to council with community input and any options for low-cost in-city storage or permit exceptions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Special Meeting April 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents urged grandfathering and criticized year-long vacancy permits; council reviewed a proposed ordinance restricting oversized and commercial vehicle parking in residential zones with a 24-month grace period and asked staff to hold a town hall before finalizing rules.","taxTitle","Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",56808,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6254499,"Council asks staff for cost and vendor accuracy data as it considers raising short-term rental fees",497,5716000,6213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010&start=5716&end=6213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010/thumbnail_5716000.jpg","/articles/6254499/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-asks-staff-for-cost-and-vendor-accuracy-data-as-it-considers-raising-short-term-rental-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254499-020fdc2c8c5941304f855fd06f4a9167/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985084&Signature=WWpphOritS7l1fyfYAkqYqksPZ9k-09dD4L-Ww8A-wFmC28z0TrNGTXVyH7ywYVsGQ~fd3NMd75F-I~EhXgrsVD4I7a7UE17-Xlt4BAihE7kh855EvdSaEKcpNzc0SevcQIXknJiDNdNFkP84xe68calrC~L8fYqOM7CuK5FafyKST7nRF-UIWoeQDGMUJmnZmMslouw8OaSiwrAhGaWa8dSuV~czXcVzN0cKDXvfCwQq0y8ksVFWUFL0~vhR6-m09Trd3~iC0XSV9bXmOgcRbiuBEwqpmJf5gyft3TEBxLZrbc~5MsYmxqXNxTK5ir5itU-rD~pPJvvoZy1CoRm1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the City Council on April 29 about the short-term rental program and third-party monitoring tools and council asked staff to return with more data on vendor costs, coverage and enforcement costs before deciding whether to increase the licensing fee.

Daniel Summers introduced the item and staff noted the city currently has roughly 60 licensed short-term rentals on record. Staff said the city uses a third-party service, Host Compliance, to track listings and that an Esri integration is nearing completion to provide more real-time data.

Why it matters: Council members said short-term rentals can generate substantial enforcement costs when complaints involve late-night parties, noise or code violations; they want the fee to cover the city’s costs and asked staff to quantify police and code-enforcement responses tied to short-term rentals.

Requested follow-ups

Council members asked staff to provide: the Host Compliance contract cost and accuracy/coverage metrics, a verification of the current licensed count, data on how often police and code enforcement are dispatched to short-term rental-related calls, and a timeline for the Esri integration. Staff said they have a meeting with the vendor and expect to be close to completing the Esri integration by the end of the month.

No fee change was adopted; council members signaled support for setting fees that better cover enforcement costs but asked staff to return with data and stakeholder outreach before a final decision.

Ending

Staff will return with vendor cost/accuracy information, verified licensing counts, enforcement-response data and an update on the Esri integration in the coming weeks; council gave no formal direction to set a new fee at the April 29 study session.","Staff briefed council on the city’s short-term rental licensing and vendor monitoring; council asked for vendor costs, accuracy data, and police enforcement cost estimates before setting a new fee level.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6254504,"Council signals support to raise vacant-building registration fees; staff to draft ordinance with higher inspection fees",931,4785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010&start=4785&end=5716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010/thumbnail_4785000.jpg","/articles/6254504/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-signals-support-to-raise-vacant-building-registration-fees-staff-to-draft-ordinance-with-higher-inspection-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254504-e2a8fa06be12bbf31c362abc4bce9582/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985084&Signature=DWmwJBEQFUHWPHWZ7QL2vWysXDSJGWxJdCFNHTs89kajVg98HkFTuzr9oPtu08jTcMhSXIculwRYfA1hu51L2cYvTke7kxe0nqj8YI9mROsW525v6OiUWtaz4c3BXEGOY2p~HZQsQGRsppTgPfV-9Hg1zeLK1K7c7vZcI3qrevHBJA6mFEebQpv03WROw7hb-wy6eg4tiXZyFr8-Bbr539lg9rSxwDPDAuv6b8nt8-gRklOhlrmjjmaV6q9jwm3CuVlN1zhGOKF3IWOZxtJhw3ypKFJ0IagqdWbZTsFTL-ohq15F6wuq1WtX0SjjxrBpbWdvdLlW2JjTwS4BpxXflw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Farmers Branch City Council on April 29 that the city currently lists 14 vacant buildings and that the existing vacant-building registration fee structure is small and administratively complex.

Daniel Summers, director of community services, said the city’s ordinance (Amendment 384, amended August 2024) currently uses a $200 annual registration fee and that peer cities use a wide range of fees. “Right now we have 14 vacant buildings,” Summers said.

Why it matters: Council members said prolonged vacancy contributes to neighborhood blight and that higher fees and more frequent inspections could encourage property owners to sell, repair or otherwise return structures to productive use.

Key details and council direction

Staff presented two models: (1) a single higher flat registration fee (examples shown at $500, $750 or $1,000) and (2) a tiered annual schedule (previously used: $200 first year, $400 second, $600 third, $1,000 thereafter). Council discussion favored stronger financial incentives for owners to act. Council members suggested making the initial registration/inspection fee substantially larger than the historical $200 and increasing follow-up inspection frequency so the city can detect noncompliance sooner.

Council comment and next steps

Councilmember Neal and others cited a long-vacant property on Pebble Beach Drive (public comments earlier in the meeting) and said ongoing nonaction there supports raising fees. Council discussion settled on asking staff to draft language that reflects an increased initial registration/inspection fee (council suggested $500 as a starting point) and periodic subsequent inspection fees; council also asked staff to work with the city attorney on any necessary studies to justify fee levels. Summers said staff will return with an ordinance and supporting cost-study work.

Ending

No vote was taken. Staff will draft ordinance language and cost justifications that reflect the council’s direction to raise fees and increase inspection/regulatory follow-up.","Farmers Branch staff reported 14 vacant buildings and presented options to increase registration fees; council asked staff to draft changes reflecting a higher initial registration/inspection fee and more frequent follow-ups.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6254508,"Builders of Hope outlines Phase 2 of Valwood Park 'porches' project; council asks staff for maps, numbers",2909,1126000,4035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010&start=1126&end=4035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3173022-3a22c4bff7188ae30aea039f11d15010/thumbnail_1126000.jpg","/articles/6254508/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Builders-of-Hope-outlines-Phase-2-of-Valwood-Park-porches-project-council-asks-staff-for-maps-numbers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254508-90ed6f0cfc8e6176d055642b4291ffcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985084&Signature=ora~p~rgrvJUPkGgF4zz1bWpXqpGLkXta8bVpkoQ2V3Qtjhsa6~NqYlEPcWZ89l5g6x8eTzMHhDM2Pn8wtJv2xEVuB~BicSuMcgVMXBDwFeKdeKUQQn7SAUBxOw8zaJA1otkHzn3vsT-5KRdqW76HODlehcU662-7Iy7U9z0sDnE-ZyUT192BW58SNRUDfbKfX~S0pckgGOyUuolSgs20uzX0ox3uKKAgqxB17KJ0yoBnKnoEeEcQ-KxtnVDH4BOGgLgwdPiRZDQaZryE-6qzZfS5L64ziIlzNQQJzYunb2q~8Zfq3gBHeu4zpc1mAril6MH1b0DlcJrQ7mlR3~AyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Builders of Hope, a national community development nonprofit, told the Farmers Branch City Council on April 29 that Phase 1 of its Porches at Valwood Park project has sold or placed under contract all five homes and that the nonprofit is proposing a Phase 2 build of roughly 10 homes with a tiered land-acquisition approach and resale restrictions to preserve affordability.

The presentation to the council focused on creating workforce housing priced below market by acquiring lots at subsidized costs and pairing those lots with smaller-footprint homes. James Armstrong, president and CEO of Builders of Hope Community Development Corporation, said the project “has really became a model for how inner suburban cities deal with their housing crisis.” Chris Lewis, Builders of Hope community development officer in operations, added that from “concrete pour to closing is a little over 4 months” for the smaller homes used in the project.

Why it matters: Council members said the project addresses a local shortage of workforce housing and could keep city workers and other service professionals in Farmers Branch. Council members pressed staff and Builders of Hope for concrete budget numbers, maps of city-owned lots, and confirmation of how the project would interact with Dallas County programs and tax-assessment practice.

Details of the proposal and questions from council

Builders of Hope described a tiered pricing scheme that would let the nonprofit subsidize land for a subset of homes so some units could sell at an entry-level price while others sell at higher market prices. The group proposed extending the affordability period to 10 years and adding a resale restriction that would prevent sale outside an income band during that period; if a homeowner sold early the city would recapture a portion of equity. As an example, Builders of Hope said a sale in year five might trigger a recapture equal to roughly half the homeowner’s realized equity under the current proposal.

Speakers emphasized buyer screening and post-sale counseling: Armstrong and Lewis said buyer household incomes for Phase 1 ranged between $60,000 and $80,000 and that Buyers of Hope provides pre-purchase counseling and homestead-exemption assistance. Lewis called the organization a long-term owner/operator: “This is not a build it, sell it, close it, and go. We do follow ups with our home buyers.”

Council reaction and staff direction

Council members generally expressed support but asked for more detail. Councilman Reid asked whether buyers are prepared for rising property taxes and was told Builders of Hope offers financial coaching and homestead-exemption assistance. Council members asked staff to provide: a map of city-owned lots and inventory, detailed pro forma spreadsheets showing the program’s budgetary impact, a Dallas County update on related programs, and options for dedicating 10 lots to the program or otherwise committing lots to Builders of Hope under a staged sale/dedication approach.

No formal vote was taken at the study session. Staff said it will return with the requested maps and financial breakdowns and coordinate timing for a Blue Ribbon committee and community engagement if the council gives formal direction to proceed.

Ending

Council members asked staff to return with the requested materials and to coordinate any interplay with Dallas County programs before any final dedication or sale of lots. Builders of Hope said it plans to host a Blue Ribbon committee through the summer and return with a report to council in August if given a green light to proceed.","Builders of Hope briefed the Farmers Branch City Council on Phase 2 of the Porches at Valwood Park and proposed program changes including a tiered land-acquisition model, a 10-year affordability period and resale/recapture rules; council directed staff to return with maps, budget numbers and Dallas County coordination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates new rules for parking RVs, boats and large trailers; staff to bring issue to town hall

Council asks staff for cost and vendor accuracy data as it considers raising short-term rental fees

Council signals support to raise vacant-building registration fees; staff to draft ordinance with higher inspection fees

Builders of Hope outlines Phase 2 of Valwood Park 'porches' project; council asks staff for maps, numbers