Richardson | June 2025

Government

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

City considering charter amendments Residents may have an opportunity to vote on proposed changes to Richardson’s city charter in November. Richardson City Council will spend several months debating the amendments and any proposed changes must be approved by voters in November. Zooming in Recommendations include increasing council member compensation, adding a continuity of government in the case of a disaster and more. Richardson City Council approves Amazon drone delivery hub in split vote Richardson is one step closer to having drone deliveries for Amazon packages, following action taken by City Council. In a 4-3 vote, council approved a zoning change allowing Amazon to oer drone deliveries within a 7.5-mile radius during its June 9 meeting. What’s happening? The Amazon facility, located at 3051 Research Drive, is currently zoned for a distribution center, Senior City Planner Derica Peters said. The proposed changes to the zoning will allow Amazon to build a drone delivery hub no larger than 10,000 square feet, which would allow up to about 300 deliveries a day, Sam Bailey, the Amazon Eco- nomic Development Policy senior manager, said. Drone deliveries are regulated by the Federal

Crews to investigate water service line The city of Richardson’s public service department began in-eld inspections to identify and document the materials used in water service lines. The inspections began June 2 and follow Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. What you need to know Workers will dig two small holes at each property to visually inspect and identify the pipe material. Access inside homes will not be needed and work will occur in public right-of-way or utility easements. Residents were notied by letter in October, and progress will be announced on city social media channels. Work will primarily focus on properties built before 1966, when materials such as lead were not regulated.

Amazon drone hub 7.5-mile delivery radius

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Aviation Administration, Peters said, meaning that council cannot pass ordinances regulating ight paths. The city does have the authority to limit ground operations though, Peters said, such as

ight hours. What’s next

Although City Council approved the change, an environmental impact analysis and public hearing with the FAA, which has authority over Richard- son’s airspace, must be conducted.

Council nixes restaurant plans in West Spring Valley Corridor Richardson City Council denied a request for a restaurant called La Salsa Verde Taqueria. During the June 9 meeting, council voted 4-3 in favor of the plan, but because more than 20% of stakeholders within 200 feet of the proposed change sent written opposition to council, six of the seven council members would have had to vote in favor to approve the change. The details The request was for a lot located at 1250 W. Spring Valley Road. The current zoning requires all new buildings in the area to be at least two stories. The site plan for La Salsa Verde was only one story, but it would have been constructed at the height of a two-story building with a mezzanine instead of a second oor, Senior City Planner Derica Peters said. Additionally, a plan for the site was previously approved. Commercial Architect Edwin Brantley Smith, who represented the restaurant owner Andres Calvo during the meeting, said that, with the exception of the mezzanine, the site plan is the

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same as the previously approved plan. Smith said building a second story is economi- cally viable, which is why the plan was changed. Public input Property owners in the area cited trac concerns and a lack of parking as a reason they were against the change. Other reasons included trash and alcohol sales. Richardson resident Scott Ricamore spoke against the change, saying the site plan did not align with the vision for the corridor. "15 years ago, we came together around a bold vision to transform a declining area into a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use district," Ricamore said. “This zoning request isn't really part of that vision." Council members Jennifer Justice, Dan Barrios, Joe Corcoran and Aren Shamsul all voted in favor of the change. Mayor Amir Omar, Mayor pro tem Ken Hutchen- rider and council member Curtis Dorian opposed the change.

2025 timeline

June 9, 20: Council discusses charter amendments Aug. 11: Election called Nov. 4: charter election held June 23: Public hearing

SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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