Fort Worth City Plan Commission Meeting – January 29, 2026
Fort Worth City Plan Commission Meeting – January 29, 2026
The Fort Worth City Plan Commission met on January 29, 2026, at 9:00 AM (start time indicated by "Good morning") to consider two street/alley vacation requests, review and approve substantive amendments to the subdivision ordinance regarding infill development, and elect officers for the coming year. Nine of eleven members were present, constituting a quorum. Commissioner Colby Adams (Council District 3) was introduced as a new member.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of January 8, 2026, Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously by voice vote (motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Gillette).
Discussion Items
- Case VA25029 – Vacation of a Portion of an Alley (Block 8, South Side Edition, Council District 11): Staff (Alex Parks) presented the request to vacate a dead-end alley north of West Seminary Drive. The applicant, Christian Golobievsky, explained the vacated portion would be paved as a parking lot connecting to an existing driveway, allowing utility access. The applicant owns property on both sides of the alley. No opposition. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the vacation to the City Council.
- Case VA25031 – Vacation of Portions of Growth Street, Iron Street, and Wallace Street (Council District 11): Staff presented the request to vacate remnant paper streets on both sides of Beach Street, previously vacated in connecting segments. The sole purpose is to clear title for future platting. No applicant or public testimony was offered. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
- Revised Infill Subdivision Ordinance (Text Amendments): Staff presented a detailed update to the definition of infill development and proposed amendments to the subdivision ordinance. Key changes included:
- Definition: Infill development is now defined as any development within a one-mile buffer of Loop A20 (within city limits, platted before January 1, 2000) OR within Urban Residential (UR), any form-based code district, historic district, or within a quarter-mile of a frequent transit route (bus routes with headways ≤15 minutes and all passenger rail stations).
- Connectivity Index: Removed the blanket waiver; the Director of Development Services may now waive or reduce the requirement based on site conditions, topography, and neighborhood character.
- Lot Lines: Flexibility for infill to allow lots not perpendicular to street centerlines, considering topography, easements, and built conditions.
- Townhome Design: For turn-down townhome lots with access ways perpendicular to a public street, the end lot must front the public street to prevent “turn-down” designs.
- Access Ways & Easements: Reduced paved width to 5 feet for infill; reduced corner clips (public open space easements) at alley–street intersections from 10’x10’ to 5’x5’ unless sight distance requires greater dedication.
- Alley Construction: For infill, if an alley is required, the developer must build from the property line out to the street; an interim public alley may be paved with materials capable of handling 10,000+ pounds.
- Block Face Length: Does not apply to infill under 2 acres, except for UR, form-based code, and edge block districts (which have their own standards).
- Staff provided a redline showing changes since the November 2025 presentation. Commissioner questions were addressed, and no public testimony was offered in favor or opposition. The commission voted unanimously (9-0) to approve the subdivision ordinance textual amendments as presented.
- Election of Officers:
- Chair: Caroline Cranz was elected by acclamation.
- Vice Chair: Commissioner Johnson was elected by acclamation.
Key Outcomes
- VA25029: Approved unanimously (9-0) – recommendation to City Council.
- VA25031: Approved unanimously (9-0) – recommendation to City Council.
- Infill Subdivision Ordinance Amendments: Approved unanimously (9-0) – action is a recommendation to City Council (the commission’s decision on this text amendment is a recommendation; final adoption requires City Council action).
- Election of Officers: Caroline Cranz elected Chair; Commissioner Johnson elected Vice Chair.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for February 2026 (date not specified).
Meeting Transcript
One minute warning, y'all. One minute warning. All right. Good morning. We'll call this meeting to order. This is the January twenty-ninth, twenty twenty six meeting of the City Plan Commission. Um, before we get started, want to introduce Colby Adams, uh, new commissioner representing Council District Three. Uh Colby, do you want to give a brief introduction to yourself? Sorry, uh Colby Adams, uh, happy to uh to serve and represent Council District Three. Uh I have uh been a Fort Worth resident for coming up on seven years now. Uh, have uh my wife, three uh kids, ten, eight, and four, and so uh, we stay busy and uh are happy they're back in school today. Uh but uh glad to serve with you all and look forward to to being here. Thanks, Colby, and welcome. All right, turn it over for announcements. Good morning, and welcome to the January twenty twenty-nine, twenty twenty-six in-person meeting of the City of Fort Worth City Plan Commission. The commission meets monthly in open session to conduct public hearings on advertised cases. Specific rules and procedures governing these hearings include the city subdivision ordinance, city plan commission rules, regulations, and bylaws, and related provisions of the Texas state law. The Commission's primary responsibility are to review and act upon subdivision plans and plats, streets and alley right-of-way vacations and closures, annexations, comprehensive planning, and other land development issues affecting the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction area. The commission is made up of eleven forward citizens, each of whom is appointed by the city council. A quorum of six of the eleven members must be present in order to conduct the commission's business. Nine members are present, therefore the hearing may proceed. Seated at the center of the table is Miss Caroline Cranz, the Vice Chair of the City Planning Commission. Other commission members present are Colby Adams, Commissioner Lambert, uh, Commissioner Henderson, Commissioner Sins, Commissioner Ryscher Richer, Commissioner Farda, and Commissioner Gillette. And last but not least, Commissioner Johnson. Uh staff members uh present today are Alex Parks, Paul Rodriguez, Rich McCracken, Jessica Williams, Alex Johnson, Michelle Pinya, Barbara Soltero, Leo Valencia, and other representatives from DSD. My name is Stephen Murray, and planning plating manager of the and facilitator of today's meetings. Copies of the meeting agenda and staff reports are included in the Commission's docket and are available on the city's website. The staff reports have been compiled by the city's development review committee to inform the commission and applicants of city code requirements and technical issues associated with the cases to be heard. Today's public hearings are being documented by cable television and streamed on the internet. To achieve an orderly and timely hearing, we request that the U observe the following rules of procedure. All cases are called. Applicants and others in support of the case will be asked to present their testimony first for a total of five minutes. Opposing testimony will follow and be given a total of seven minutes. The applicant will be allowed a two minutes for rebuttal. Each side will be allowed a collective total of seven minutes for initial presentations. We have Barbara Soltero keeping the time today. And when you're up here, um presenting your case, clearly state your name and city prior to addressing the commission. All dialogue will occur between the speaker and the commission only. Upon the chairman's initial closure of the case, the commission will remain an open session to discuss and vote upon the case. No further public testimony or commentary will be allowed. Be advised that the commission's decision on plating matters is final. Action on the other docket items constitutes a recommendation to city council. If you need additional information about a particular case, please call the development services department at 817-392-8027. Thank you for your attention. Commissioners, an order of business is the first order of business, the approval of the January 8th meeting minutes. Second motion from Commissioner Johnson and a second from Commissioner Gillette. Sims. Okay. All right. Um we'll just do a voice vote on this.
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