Town Council — Highland Park

The applicant, Matt Cain of Tatum Brown Custom Homes, has submitted a formal request for a building permit to allow a 32-month construction period for a new single-family residence located at 3705 Gillon Ave. The proposed residence would be 14,611 square feet under roof and includes a full basement. The 4,300 square foot basement is comprised of living space and a mechanical room. This request is being made in advance of construction, and the requested 32-month period would commence upon permit issuance. In accordance with Section R105.5.1.4 of the Town’s Building Code, all permits for major residential construction are generally limited to a duration of 24 months. However, the Code allows a property owner to request a longer period prior to permit issuance by submitting a formal written application and participating in a hearing before the Town Council. The applicant has exercised this right and submitted a letter detailing the request, which is attached for reference. As provided in the Code, the Town Council must determine whether the applicant has presented compelling reasons and information establishing, with reasonable certainty, that: Highly extraordinary circumstances exist in connection with the proposed construction; and The additional time requested—eight (8) months in this case—is reasonably necessary to complete the project, assuming construction is conducted in a manner consistent with the objectives outlined in Section R105.5.1.3. These objectives include ensuring that construction: Is completed as rapidly as reasonably possible; Minimizes disruption to the neighborhood while respecting public access to streets, sidewalks, driveways, alleyways, and easements; Maintains the safety, orderliness, and visual appeal of the neighborhood; Reduces inconvenience and aggravation to residents and visitors to the greatest extent reasonably possible. The applicant's parking plan indicates parking for six vehicles o

The purpose of this item is to establish an all-way stop intersection at Douglas Avenue and Lorraine Avenue (refer to attached map). Lorraine Avenue provides a stop sign for both east and westbound traffic at its intersection with Douglas Avenue. The Town has received several requests to evaluate this intersection for the installation of an all-way stop. Residents’ concerns focused on site distance, visibility, and the number of vehicles. Traffic counts taken along Douglas produced volumes that are relatively high, and the speed for the 85th percentile is higher on average when compared with other collector-type roadways (i.e., Lomo Alto Drive). While an all-way stop is not warranted based on these criteria, due to mature trees in the parkway and the ability to park on Douglas Avenue, site distance is impacted when attempting to turn onto Douglas Avenue from Lorraine Avenue. The curbs are painted to encourage motorists from parking too close to the intersection, and adding an all-way stop would help aid in site distance concerns. There are currently stop signs located at Armstrong Parkway, Beverly Drive, and Livingston Avenue. The Lorraine Avenue intersection with Douglas Avenue is situated approximately midway between Armstrong Parkway to the south and Beverly Drive to the north, making this intersection an ideal candidate for an all-way stop. Staff recommend installing an all-way stop at the Douglas Avenue and Lorraine Avenue intersection for the following reasons: Site distance concerns due to mature trees and street parking Lorraine Avenue is approximately midway between Armstrong Parkway and Beverly Drive along Douglas Avenue Provides additional traffic-calming Potential for speeding, as Douglas Avenue is a wider roadway

The Texas Local Government Records Act of 1989 (Title 6, Subtitle C, Local Government Code) requires each local government to designate a Records Management Officer and to establish a records management program by ordinance, order, or resolution, as appropriate. The ordinance or order must provide methods and procedures to enable the governing body, custodians, and the records management officer to fulfill the duties and responsibilities set out in Sections 203.021, 203.022, and 203.023 concerning the management and preservation of records. In compliance with the Texas Local Government Records Act of 1989, the Town previously adopted Ordinance No. 1191 and Resolution No. 014-90, which are attached to this agenda item for reference. The purpose of the Town’s Records Management Program is to: 1. Reduce the volume of inactive records maintained by Town departments; 2. Ensure the efficient retrieval and use of records; 3. Authorize the timely disposition of records that have met retention requirements and are approved for destruction; 4. Safeguard the security and integrity of Town records; 5. Establish policies governing access to confidential records; and 6. Identify, protect, and preserve vital records. Updates to the existing records management framework are necessary to align with current best practices and state guidance. These updates include: 1. Attaching the Records Management Program to a Resolution rather than an Ordinance to allow for more efficient future amendments; 2. Designating the Town Secretary as the Records Management Officer in place of the Town Administrator; and 3. Revising the Ordinance to incorporate recommended language from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This item will return to the Town Council Meeting scheduled for February 3, 2026, under the Consent Agenda.

Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on January 20, 2026.

Minutes of the Town Council study session held on January 20, 2026.

On May 2, 2026, the Town will conduct an election to elect a Mayor and five Town Council Members for a term of two years. The Town's elections are held on the May Uniform Election Date in even-numbered years. The Town contracts with the Dallas County Elections Department ("DCED") to administer its election, which is a part of the Dallas County Joint Election. A meeting with representatives of DCED to receive and review the draft election services agreement was held on January 21, 2026. Attached to this agenda item is the draft Joint Election Contract for review. DCED requested any feedback or suggested changes by the end of the day on Friday, February 6, 2026. This draft agreement has been sent to the Town Attorney for review. The final agreement will be submitted to the Town Attorney for final review and subsequently executed by the Mayor. The terms of the election services agreement will include the staffing and equipment required for Early Voting polling locations. DCED implements country-wide Polling Centers for Early Voting and for Election Day; the locations for the May 2nd election will be designated in the Election Services Contract between the Town and DCED. Early Voting will begin on Monday, April 20, and continue through Tuesday, April 28, 2026.