PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: October 28, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 6
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability
PRIORITY: N/A
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a resolution of support for a Municipal Setting Designation application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, provided by the City of Farmers Branch and approved by the City of Farmers Branch, that prohibits the use of groundwater as potable water beneath property owned by the City of Farmers Branch, located near the intersection of Valley View Lane and President George Bush Turnpike in Farmers Branch, Texas within a 0.5 mile radius of the City of Dallas property (Council District 6) - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Recommendation of Staff: Approval
Body
BACKGROUND
On July 7, 2026, the City of Farmers Branch approved Ordinance No. 4006 for a proposed Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) submitted by the applicant, the City of Farmers Branch. The property is located at 1349 Valley View Lane, which operated as a former City of Farmers Branch landfill. The ordinance from the City of Farmers Branch authorizes support of the issuance of an MSD certification to the City of Farmers Branch by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to prohibit the use of groundwater beneath the referenced property (see attached map) as potable water. The issuance of an MSD to the City of Farmers Branch by the TCEQ will supplement closure under the TCEQ Voluntary Cleanup Program and will ensure protection of human health and the environment.
In May 2026, the City of Farmers Branch requested a resolution of support from the City of Dallas for its application to the TCEQ for an MSD certification in accordance with the Texas Health & Safety Code (Section 361.8065(a)(1)(A)), which states that the applicant must provide documentation that the MSD is supported by a resolution adopted by the city council of each municipality with a boundary located not more than 0.5 miles from the MSD designated property.
The MSD designated property is located in the City Farmers Branch within a 0.5-mile radius of a narrow strip of City of Dallas property (Council District 6) property that is in the flood plain of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River that does not have water service lines or customers in their boundary.
Based on information provided by the applicant, the designated property is underlain by a water bearing zone that is encountered at approximately 13 feet below ground surface (bgs) and extends to a depth of 40 feet bgs at the top of the Eagle Ford formation. The anticipated direction of groundwater flow beneath the designated property is generally to the southwest. A portion of this water bearing zone has been affected by semi-volatile organic compounds, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and metals at concentrations above groundwater ingestion standards. The probable onsite source was historical landfilling at the former City of Farmers Branch Landfill that operated from the late 1970s to the early- to mid- 1980s. The landfill stopped operation over 40 years ago and the affected groundwater underlying the MSD designated property is stable or declining. No City of Dallas property is expected to be impacted by the contaminants identified in groundwater at the MSD designated property.
The applicant’s current plan is to obtain closure under the Voluntary Cleanup Program supported by an MSD. The designated property current use is an idle former landfill. The anticipated future use is commercial with possible office/warehouse.
This item is a resolution supporting the MSD application to the TCEQ by the applicant, the City of Farmers Branch, for designated property located near the intersection of Valley View Lane and President George Bush Turnpike in Farmers Branch, Texas within a 0.5 mile radius of the City of Dallas property (Council District 6). This resolution fulfills a regulatory requirement of the Texas Health and Safety Code for the applicant.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
City of Farmers Branch
Terry Lynne, Mayor
MAP
Attached