Overview of the LI: Light Industrial District in the City of Arlington
The LI: Light Industrial district in the City of Arlington is primarily intended for indoor industrial activities such as research, processing, and warehousing, and is strategically located away from low- and medium-density residential neighborhoods. The district requires a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet and enforces a 25-foot setback when development is adjacent to single-family residential properties. While focused on industrial services, the LI: Light Industrial district also permits a high maximum residential density of 36 units per acre for multi-family developments.
Purpose of the LI: Light Industrial District
The LI: Light Industrial district is established by the City of Arlington to accommodate a variety of light industrial and supporting business uses. The City of Arlington intends for this district to serve both community and regional needs through the development of research facilities, light industrial processing, and warehousing [Section 2.3.10.A].
A key characteristic of the LI: Light Industrial district is that its primary industrial activities are expected to occur indoors. To protect the integrity of quieter residential areas, the City of Arlington aims to locate LI: Light Industrial zones away from low- and medium-density residential developments [Section 2.3.10.A].
General Character and Development Standards
The City of Arlington enforces specific dimensional requirements to ensure that developments within the LI: Light Industrial district are compatible with the surrounding infrastructure and neighboring uses.
Dimensional and Building Standards
The following table outlines the primary technical requirements for the LI: Light Industrial district:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 36 dwelling units per acre |
| Minimum Lot Area | 15,000 square feet |
| Minimum Front Setback (Freeway or frontage road) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback (All other streets) | 10 feet |
| Minimum Side and/or Rear Setback | 0 feet |
| Minimum Setback Adjacent to Single-Family (side and/or rear) | 25 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | N/A (Refer to Article 4) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | N/A |
[Section 2.3.10]
Permitted Land Uses
The LI: Light Industrial district in the City of Arlington allows a broad spectrum of uses, ranging from manufacturing to essential community services.
Industrial and Manufacturing Uses
The City of Arlington permits various industrial activities by-right in the LI: Light Industrial district, provided they meet supplemental standards where applicable:
- Industrial Services: Building maintenance sales and service, commercial cleaners, flex space (office or commerce), and food processing [Table 3.1-2].
- Manufacturing: Custom and craft work, small-scale manufacturing and assembly, light manufacturing, and indoor salvage yards [Table 3.1-2].
- Wholesale and Storage: Cold storage plants, contractors' plants/storage yards, distribution centers, and wholesale supply businesses [Table 3.1-2].
- Wrecker Services: Allowed by-right in the City of Arlington LI: Light Industrial district [Table 3.1-2].
Commercial and Office Uses
To support the industrial base, the City of Arlington allows several commercial uses within the LI: Light Industrial district:
- Automotive: Car washes, motor vehicle rentals, and new motor vehicle sales are permitted by-right. However, auto service centers, major auto repair garages, and used motor vehicle sales require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) under certain conditions [Table 3.1-2].
- Professional Services: General business or professional offices, banks, and financial institutions are permitted [Table 3.1-2].
- Food and Beverage: Restaurants (including those with drive-throughs), catering services, and bars are allowed, often subject to supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
- Lodging: Bed and breakfast inns and trailer camps/RV parks are permitted, though the latter requires specific site plan approval from the City of Arlington Zoning Administrator [Table 3.1-2, Section 3.2.3.E.4].
Public, Institutional, and Open Space Uses
The LI: Light Industrial district also accommodates various public and civic functions:
- Educational: Trade schools and universities/colleges are permitted by-right, while public or private schools require a Specific Use Permit [Table 3.1-2].
- Civic: Art galleries, museums, government administrative buildings, and religious assembly facilities are allowed [Table 3.1-2].
- Recreation: Public parks, playgrounds, and community gardens are permitted by-right to serve those working or living in or near the City of Arlington LI: Light Industrial district [Table 3.1-2].
Supplemental Use Standards
Certain activities within the LI: Light Industrial district must adhere to additional regulations to mitigate impacts on the City of Arlington community:
- Auto Services: New auto service centers or major repair garages in the LI: Light Industrial district are permitted by-right if located 200 feet or more from a street right-of-way. If they are within 200 feet, a Specific Use Permit is required [Section 3.2.3.B.1.d].
- Used Car Sales: These are prohibited in specific areas of the LI: Light Industrial district, such as the Interstate 20 corridor bounded by Cooper Street, Arbrook Boulevard, State Highway 360, and Bardin Road [Section 3.2.3.B.5].
- Self-Storage: Doors into storage units must be screened from the view of public streets and adjacent properties unless those properties are also zoned industrial (LI or IM) [Section 3.2.4.E.1.a].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.10, Limited Office | LO (referenced for LI technical table)
- Section 2.3.1, General Purposes of All Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Districts
- Section 3.1.5, Table of Allowed Uses – Non-residential and Mixed-Use Districts
- Section 3.2.3, Commercial Uses
- Section 3.2.4, Industrial Uses