[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6722277,"mediaKeyId","5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81","parentId",5065482,"title","Midlothian council denies proposed Midlow Scoops expansion after hours of public comment; orders workshop","audioSeconds",8358,"startMs",1257000,"endMs",9615000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81&start=1257&end=9615","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81/thumbnail_1257000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6722277/Midlothian/Ellis-County/Texas/Midlothian-council-denies-proposed-Midlow-Scoops-expansion-after-hours-of-public-comment-orders-workshop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722277-a622017476b9f2998bde7e29e0a786fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437846&Signature=NGPFaTqItmJqU6taDsfJrMB3zCn9yJFeiBwTrJbHr0z35SSYpvZ0BzFFv-YczD3ZD4i5OcX462fSsccjI0KsFOU3kNvbJPanEMfC9ATQ70xjdGDy1GFcWZ-jCZRwCI2UfXgyzkdUYbLs0gFrWgs0tjDrnFD-jHIzQu7rWuSYu0~hz8esLv8BSVvOVnKW7AorMmgwX~Xy3U5c86UQ-ZfU~PF3Acoje6~ROXQQ7BD4npuVMXLNogq9t-DtN6Mc-jVlBuoNuDaYS89QGsfFkJ64hembdQB7Eu6VVW1PR1Xao3NsZJGb3JPDVeN~Kl71fB39AH5BDaJHyWEA~BsapJgHUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midlothian","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","After more than two hours of public comment and detailed council questioning, Midlothian City Council denied without prejudice a request to amend Planned Development District (PD) 114 and rezone 101 and 105 South Third Street so Midlow Scoops could relocate and expand into the neighboring house. The council directed staff to convene a workshop with neighbors, applicants and staff to seek additional, enforceable mitigation.

The Midlothian Planning and Zoning Department and the applicant described the requested change as a modest conversion of an existing residential property into an indoor ice‑cream/parlor and beverage area with limited food preparation. Planning staff reported that the proposal was consistent with the city’s downtown master plan and recommended approval; the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended the amendment 5–2. Staff also said property‑owner notification produced approximately 52 letters in opposition and 65 in support and multiple petitions.

Opponents — mostly Old Town residents who live within and near the affected 200‑foot notification boundary — told the council the business had already exceeded the scope of its original walk‑up model. Residents cited crowding, overflow parking into driveways and yards, bright and unshielded lighting, louder evening gatherings, and increased and unsafe alley traffic used for drop‑offs and deliveries.

\"This rezoning doesn’t protect our neighborhoods. It disrupts them,\" said James Davis, an Old Town resident who urged council members to prioritize \"empathy, not expedience.\" Brenda Hayes, another homeowner adjacent to the sites, described persistent nightly lights and noise behind her home and told the council she feared the change would leave neighbors with \"no peace.\" Other speakers — including Pam Long, Kelly Hall and Donnie Poarch — described repeated attempts to resolve issues informally and said they were not satisfied with the results.

Supporters, including family members of the owners and business advocates, said Midlow Scoops is a local, homegrown business that contributes to downtown’s vitality. Rob Becker said the business had grown from a walk‑up window to a community gathering place, won local awards and supported school and nonprofit fundraisers. The applicants repeatedly offered voluntary, written restrictions, including limiting hours, eliminating outdoor speakers, using low‑height residential‑grade lighting, building privacy fencing and reducing delivery frequency by adding indoor storage.

Council members spent more than an hour weighing competing values: retaining successful local small business versus protecting the character and livability of an established residential neighborhood. Several council members expressed the view that the proposed PD language before them did not include sufficient, enforceable mitigations to assure neighbors the impacts would end if the property changed hands in the future. Other council members emphasized the city’s desire to support local entrepreneurs and the role of downtown mixed‑use zoning.

The council’s action denied the rezoning request without prejudice, meaning the applicant may return with a revised filing. Councilmembers also directed staff to set a workshop so neighbors, the applicant and council can work toward binding mitigations. The council did not adopt a new ordinance at the meeting.

What is next: staff will schedule a workshop to mediate outstanding issues and discuss enforceable restrictions (for example, binding PD conditions, nuisance thresholds, lighting and noise decibel limits, and solutions for alley and parking management). The applicant may revise and resubmit an application subject to state notice requirements and the city’s normal resubmittal timelines.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the public hearing and appear in the official meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Midlothian - City Council - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After more than two hours of public comment and detailed council questioning, Midlothian City Council denied without prejudice a request to amend Planned Development District 114 and rezone 101 and 105 South Third Street so Midlow Scoops could relocate and expand into the neighboring house.","taxTitle","Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas","taxId",54290,"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},6722276,"Council approves Planned Development for 173‑acre Forbes Road data‑center campus",813,5970000,6783000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81&start=5970&end=6783","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81/thumbnail_5970000.jpg","/articles/6722276/Midlothian/Ellis-County/Texas/Council-approves-Planned-Development-for-173acre-Forbes-Road-datacenter-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722276-b71bd8747df91af3234ef23178c4bb4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437846&Signature=GrthowIwq3qHLL7fSdgOrFvDYUq6Q989NNZOwQaapn~8v22c~l~2qHZVwFwJOkhwIChPCEhvhTiqcdJQYJvNKe30zJuTCAnpTGi5WbGC9VL3Mx2zjDQBYhYgvSZ2w-~Y0Dd5VZQLNjSqVrK-RsEkMebPzklKZIpYtwMgG4c70bJaNZbrb1Wkhi8aVyJAnRnost6LFytrIkFXyPqKElU1EW8r9kNVU~cgykszxyU~X5mw8jnta5RBbDfmu0r~JE7ajYqOxFW04AFa9OBJzrNvjXWIsM16tGAPQXUrYFU6K~v1jTax5SP-aJisZYoX2o6eYaNjWx53zdsQFuF6UoQIcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Midlothian City Council on June 24 approved a Planned Development rezoning for a 173.94‑acre tract along Forbes Road to permit a data‑center campus, voting 6–1 in favor.

City planning staff described the site as consistent with the comprehensive plan’s industrial module and told council the PD allows up to eight roughly 300,000‑square‑foot buildings in phases, with a proposed electrical substation and mechanical cooling. Staff said the PD sets a maximum impervious cover of 70 percent and a maximum building height of 75 feet; rooftop mechanical screening was shown on the submitted elevations. The developer’s representative said the campus would be built in phases and that the developer’s typical model is to develop a campus and then sell or lease to data‑center operators.

Daniel Fox, zoning counsel for the applicant, said the plan had been vetted with staff and reiterated that the property is not in the rail port but sits southwest of the rail port area. The applicant estimated the first building would employ at least 30 local workers and that additional jobs could come with further occupancy or multiple tenants.

Council members questioned details about parking ratios, water use and phasing. Planning staff said the PD is more conservative than some recent data‑center projects on parking (the proposed PD proposes about one space per 7,500 square feet of data‑center floor area, compared with roughly one per 3,500 ft2 in a recent nearby approval) and limits water‑cooled equipment to a specified daily gallonage per building and an overall limit on the number of water‑cooled buildings.

The council’s approval includes a requirement that detailed site plans, drainage plans and any major construction variance return to council for final approvals and that the developer extend water infrastructure along Forbes Road when development occurs.

Speakers for the application included Daniel Fox (zoning attorney) and representatives from the development team. No members of the public spoke at the hearing. The ordinance passed 6–1.

What to watch: Future detailed site plans and infrastructure commitments — particularly water‑line extensions and the electrical substation siting — will appear before council as the project moves into engineering and permitting.","Midlothian City Council voted 6–1 to approve a Planned Development rezoning for a 173.94‑acre site on Forbes Road, allowing a phased data‑center campus with multiple large buildings and a dedicated electrical substation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6722275,"Council rejects TxDOT's 60 mph recommendation for U.S. 287 and directs staff to seek 55 mph corridor normalization",2592,7441000,10033000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81&start=7441&end=10033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81/thumbnail_7441000.jpg","/articles/6722275/Midlothian/Ellis-County/Texas/Council-rejects-TxDOTs-60-mph-recommendation-for-US-287-and-directs-staff-to-seek-55-mph-corridor-normalization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722275-39b53cefb91fb85cd62363b13a997e0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437846&Signature=olY-twj5K2EuH1Z923mYvp69hGTSQ-VMlOqprqhn-GRWHKE0XUFdjipi47Jo2FCuKcMbm0BBlUNVnqCgKT7YYlUDi1swgHi08vIZ-qvVnF8b7hOONB8c9n-NUXoy4nLRL8K6UAfhU7A5kXEmE1Di81IK21nHCGZMC6JygPkfbdqJkjUWkncKIEnd6ajRGdK6LLTXilLQfv4xmWsHU0EOKpyA~AjPugTOdMl55VduUe7tr4Q7WWowqeHLYFbnZoKZPBl3f51JVPi8Zq5ToDG~RqLe6IvgVNuIqd5xhdkKUbOTVKhbV72hRfXuxiPKn0wj-3jnAwwO06PubCrbbCOz-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Midlothian City Council on June 24 rejected a TxDOT recommendation to set a 60 mph limit on a section of U.S. 287 and instead directed staff to ask TxDOT to normalize the corridor to 55 mph. The motion — which the council approved 4–3 — follows a presentation from the local grassroots group CARS and staff review of crash data.

Casey Cheshire of CARS presented state and local crash statistics and told council that speeding contributes to a significant share of reported collisions. Cheshire summarized data showing that, between 2021 and mid‑2025, local crash reports on portions of state highways within Midlothian included a higher‑than‑average contribution from speeding. He cited research from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggesting modest reductions in posted speeds can reduce the number and severity of crashes. \"A 5% mile reduction on this stretch could yield 10 to 15 fewer crashes overall and 20 to 25 fewer fatal crashes,\" he said in his presentation.

Staff said TxDOT’s speed study used the standard 85th‑percentile methodology and recommended 60 mph for the segment west of Midlothian Parkway. Council members debated whether to accept the TxDOT recommendation or press for a larger corridor adjustment. Several councilors said the speed limit should be consistent across the section that runs through Midlothian to reduce driver confusion and perceived safety risk.

The council motion denied adoption of TxDOT’s 60‑mph proposal and directed staff to pursue a uniform 55‑mph target along the corridor and to work with TxDOT and neighboring jurisdictions on the change. The vote was 4 in favor of pursuing 55 mph and 3 opposed.

What to watch: Council directed staff to coordinate with TxDOT and neighboring jurisdictions (Mansfield and Grand Prairie may be affected) to seek a corridor‑wide speed normalization. TxDOT retains legal authority over posted state highway speeds and will consider the request under its procedures.","Midlothian City Council on June 24 declined TxDOT's recommendation to establish a 60 mph limit on a stretch of U.S. 287 and instead directed staff to seek a corridor‑wide 55 mph limit (vote 4–3).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6722273,"Council authorizes notice for up to $15.5 million inCertificates of Obligation for new fire station; 45‑day publication begins",8894,8894000,-1,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81&start=8894&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81/thumbnail_8894000.jpg","/articles/6722273/Midlothian/Ellis-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-notice-for-up-to-155-million-inCertificates-of-Obligation-for-new-fire-station-45day-publication-begins","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722273-95cfc88b4ea59b84ae677b573de89656/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437846&Signature=WL2I8R7osiRXbPCnJfZIlJiprpqzcom3st0C7mxPxpyv5t-B2qL2du8Sh0TPy0DOs~1WyCcKFA0uKhMb~1Bn2zdoaH~8BT5wkhxYji-PMS3qat7KCtGIIxR0oRh2N1M2NBONfDswEQWf1KEhoM0IQckMPRw-dwa24Tlfcuxg6hkMbaVW0ucCNYTDIR2--QOe8q0j8tCZatwkIdIE9lTGJNzig4JeLKSg3h5aoPUUtmQk8Z70GOB4P9jDy9661UFSn2XGFMt0vd~2f4JiBHoXjr27ALMf-qYUd2okx-F1ODBXJuZI1JFGAib0OJGwuGz2~QpQKjFcfcGY-FzvIiGc~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Midlothian City Council on June 24 voted 5–2 to direct publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation in an amount not to exceed $15,500,000 to construct and equip Fire Station No. 4.

City financial staff and the city's bond advisor explained that the resolution starts a 45‑day public posting window required by state law before the city may issue certificates of obligation and that the notice does not itself obligate the city to borrow. The notice also explains that, if a petition signed by five percent of registered voters is filed within the required period, the certificates could be subject to a public election.

Bond adviser Jack McCleney (Samco) told council the notice sets statutory parameters for the amount and uses of the debt and provides public transparency before the city proceeds with formal sale and approval of final documents.

At the meeting a resident, Lisa Healy, opposed the step and urged council to seek non‑debt alternatives and grants, arguing the timing and size of borrowing \"take us further and further away from trying to re with our taxes.\" She asked council to \"put on the brakes\" and explore other funding.

Council members in favor said the city needs to secure funding to meet service demands and that the notice is procedural only; council members opposed cited timing and affordability concerns.

Next steps: staff will post the notice for the statutory period and report back on petitions and financing options; final issuance of certificates would require later council action including final ordinance and sale documents.","Midlothian City Council voted 5–2 to direct publication of a notice of intent to issue up to $15.5 million in certificates of obligation to finance construction and equipping of Fire Station No. 4; the publication begins the 45‑day statutory posting period.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6722271,"Council awards Avenue F design contract to Park Hill for engineering and utility study",0,9648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81&start=9648&end=9648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065482-263dec377044bca758c44a0ae9a14e81/thumbnail_9648000.jpg","/articles/6722271/Midlothian/Ellis-County/Texas/Council-awards-Avenue-F-design-contract-to-Park-Hill-for-engineering-and-utility-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6722271-53220dfb776795a659872953e8c8d75a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437846&Signature=m9lbMOTQwpdlm8m6ZEvTH4oDvVMeJXlFOJPETsGPNi1Vk-5yAyaKYKhIrqWLZhU07xB7SFS9RPfJ9ffVgYNwPuuNv6A1OuhUUNMeMu5ayRIpo3mBV~YyR5o7Ag4Ehc9szRV6iUkzWwxTiVrJeSe0GJtGQd1D99~YsuG90smXJbSBWWfbrR2Iq8vJstWAQhv-nhxmvdw~odgWGpZViHxcQa17EAPJUth1fGl~LhtaSS-~MyhmTgkPmGajzR-wNP6z9RHK2szxJlVVDoRfJcLdVpPPlXRrwr54fTkA792mE5WEVTmSgxhZKfGBQWSEEWVa2AbhNRgfWMNavSr8XO~FQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Midlothian City Council on June 24 approved a professional services agreement with Park Hill to produce design and construction documents for Avenue F improvements from First Street to Eighth Street and perform an electrical‑utility relocation study, topographic survey and schematic design. The contract amount is not to exceed $276,675.

The work includes a topographic survey of the city right‑of‑way, options for relocating or consolidating overhead electrical utilities to reduce conflicts, and development of construction documents that will enable the city to bid and build a pedestrian‑scale sidewalk on one side of Avenue F. Council and staff said the engineering data will also be reusable for future improvements on the opposite side of the street and for any related on‑street parking decisions.

Council members emphasized the need to preserve street trees and to continue outreach to property owners; staff said the current contract covers design work and that any later construction decisions, including the addition of on‑street parking or other streetscape elements, will return to council for approval.

What’s next: Park Hill will commence the topo survey and utility study; staff will present the completed design package and recommended construction approach to council for funding and scheduling decisions.","Midlothian approved a professional services agreement with Park Hill for design, survey and utility‑relocation study for Avenue F (First to Eighth Streets). The contract, not to exceed $276,675, covers topographic survey, an electrical relocation study and full construction documents so the city can advance downtown sidewalk and streetscape work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Midlothian council denies proposed Midlow Scoops expansion after hours of public comment; orders workshop

Council approves Planned Development for 173‑acre Forbes Road data‑center campus

Council rejects TxDOT's 60 mph recommendation for U.S. 287 and directs staff to seek 55 mph corridor normalization

Council authorizes notice for up to $15.5 million inCertificates of Obligation for new fire station; 45‑day publication begins

Council awards Avenue F design contract to Park Hill for engineering and utility study