The Denton Planning and Zoning Commission denied a specific use permit to allow for major automotive repair work to be done at a 2-acre property near the Central Village Estates neighborhood at a May 27 meeting due to concerns over noise and resident quality of life.

The overview: Body shop Le Collision Center applied for the permit to allow for major auto repair work at the location near Fort Worth Drive since current zoning does not allow for it. The current property is zoned for general office use, which allows for light automotive work, like tire and oil change shops, Denton Assistant Planner Matt Bodine said.

Major automotive repair work includes painting, according to a presentation from Bodine. Painting is a necessary part of body work, the project’s engineer of record Dewey Lewis said at the meeting.

What they’re saying: Several neighborhood residents spoke in opposition to the permit out of concern over noise, potential negative impact on property values and environmental pollution.

Barbershop Denton Dapper Devil: Ink and Blade moved to a new location on North Locust Street and added tattoo services in addition to providing haircuts, owner Anthony Proa said.

The details: Proa said the previous location at 405 S. Elm Street was too small to accommodate the growing business, and he always wanted to incorporate tattoo artists into the barbershop.

“We needed a bigger place, and one of my dreams was always to have a tattoo shop incorporated,” Proa said.

Barbershop services include basic haircuts, beard trims, fades, head shaves, haircuts for women and kids cuts, according to the company website. 

• 516 N. Locust St., Ste. B, Denton

CSL Plasma operates several plasma donation centers across Dallas-Fort Worth, with locations in McKinney, Grand Prairie, northeast Fort Worth and Dallas. CSL operates over 350 locations in the United States and Europe, according to the company website.

Community Impact contacted the company to learn more about plasma donation, and got responses from Wlenyeno Elliott-Browne, the company’s global head of plasma quality. Answers have been edited for clarity and style.

Who can donate plasma? Are there any age, weight or health restrictions? 
Generally, anyone in good health, between the ages of 18 and 74, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and meets eligibility and screening requirements can donate plasma. Prior to donating, every donor must complete a medical questionnaire, which is reviewed by a CSL staff member.

Is donation painful?
In general, people may experience mild discomfort when donating plasma, similar to when donating blood or having blood drawn. Donors often compare the feeling of the needle to a slight pinch or bee sting.

Several construction permits have been filed around Dallas-Fort Worth. Check out five expensive construction projects around the Metroplex, including park renovations in Southlake and a new body shop in Plano. 

1. North Park renovations in Southlake
North Park on Dove Road will receive new turf, chainlink fence, drainage, sidewalk and irrigation improvements, according to documents filed with the TDLR. North Park opened in 2012 and features sports fields, multiuse trails and a pond. 

• Location: 200 E. Dove Road, Southlake
• Estimated timeline: July 1, 2026-Dec. 31, 2026
• Estimated cost: $8.2 million

• Location: 2601 Preston Road, Frisco
• Estimated timeline: Aug. 3, 2026-Nov. 6, 2026
• Estimated cost: $2 million

Nearly $8.4 billion in new state funding was not enough to save Texas public school districts from budget shortfalls and campus closures, school administrators said June 1.

What happened: During a 10-hour public hearing at the state Capitol, school district leaders spoke of efforts to stretch their budgets amid high inflationary costs as teachers explained their decisions to leave the classroom due to pay cuts and large class sizes.

The big picture: Last year, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 2, a $8.4 billion school finance bill designed to increase educator salaries, create a new pot of money for fixed costs, provide more training for teachers and boost special education resources.

Roughly one year later, districts across Community Impact’s coverage areas are cutting staff and closing campuses, citing enrollment declines and budget shortfalls. 

Quote of note: "This funding deficit is the final straw for me, and it will be for countless other educators across the state who must leave or who lose their jobs," Austin ISD French teacher Rachel Preston told lawmakers June 1.