Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission Meeting – February 9, 2026

The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission (HCLC) held a regular meeting on February 9, 2026, at 2:02 PM. Seven commissioners were present, achieving a quorum. The meeting included approval of minutes, two resolutions supporting state historical markers, a designation case for a highly significant endangered overlay, a certificate of appropriateness (COA) request for a sign in the Stockyards Historic District, and two COA requests for new residential construction in historic districts. The commission voted on all items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of January Minutes – The minutes from the January meeting were approved by a vote of 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Ketchum, second by Vice Chair Kelly Gardner.

Resolution 2026-01 – State Historical Marker for Fort Worth Poetry Society

• Item: Resolution supporting placement of a state historical marker for the Fort Worth Poetry Society at the future downtown library site (512 West Fourth Street). The marker was recommended by the Texas Historical Commission in 2022.
• Public Comment: Jerry Tracy, Executive Director of Historic Fort Worth, spoke in support, noting the marker would connect citizens and tourists to the people who established Fort Worth.
• Outcome: Resolution adopted by a vote of 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Haldin, second by Commissioner Brisendine.

Resolution 2026-02 – State Historical Marker for Choctaw Code Talkers

• Item: Resolution supporting placement of a state historical marker for the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I at Veterans Memorial Park (4120 Camp Bowie Boulevard). The marker was recommended by the Texas Historical Commission in 2011.
• Public Comment: Jerry Tracy spoke in support, calling it "one of those cool stories."
• Discussion: A commissioner noted the resolution referred to "Fort Bowie" rather than "Camp Bowie." Staff acknowledged the text had been approved by the state.
• Outcome: Resolution adopted by a vote of 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Brisendine, second by Commissioner Muse.

HCLC-26-020 – Highly Significant Endangered Overlay for TXU Power Plant

• Item: Request from the City (per City Council resolution of January 13, 2026) to recommend to City Council designation of the TXU power plant building at 411 North Main Street as a highly significant endangered landmark overlay (HSE). The property is a former power plant built 1911–1913, Beaux Arts style, vacant since 2004. Staff found it meets four of eight significance criteria and is under threat from deferred maintenance and development pressure.
• Public Comment: Jerry Tracy (Historic Fort Worth) supported the designation. Pam Anglin, CFO of Tarrant County College (TCC), the current owner, indicated the property has been secured, environmentally remediated, and a structural assessment completed. TCC did not sell the property and will hold it until the water is rerouted.
• Discussion: A commission member asked about maintenance costs; TCC estimated approximately $200,000 per year in recent years, totaling about $4 million over 20 years.
• Outcome: Motion to recommend the HSE overlay to City Council passed 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Brisendine, second by Vice Chair Kelly Gardner.

HCLC-26-013 – Sign Waiver Request for Bush Light Sign on Water Tower (141 East Exchange Ave)

• Item: Applicant requested waivers from the Stockyards Historic District Form-Based Code and a COA to install a wall sign on a 40-foot-tall water tower. The sign would be 105.9 square feet (allowable: 36 sq ft) and at a height of 37.25 feet (allowable max: 24 ft). Staff recommended denial with prejudice, citing incompatibility with historic character, visual clutter, and adverse impact on historic integrity.
• Public Comment: Michael Gary (sign company representative) noted the Stockyards Heritage Development Corporation supported the project. Melissa Wade Hunter (North Fort Worth Historical Society, 30+ year volunteer) opposed, displaying photos of existing Bush Light signage (banners, signs) already present along the corridor, stating the proposal does not meet form-based code requirements. Jerry Tracy (Historic Fort Worth) also opposed, citing the detailed staff report and urging denial.
• Discussion: Commissioners noted the sign would hide the historic water tower and compete with the historic authenticity of the Stockyards. The motion to deny with prejudice was made by Commissioner Ketchum, second by Commissioner Muse.
• Outcome: Motion to deny with prejudice passed 7-0.

HCLC-26-004 – New Residence at 909 East Mulkey Street (Morningside Historic District)

• Item: Applicant requested a COA to construct a new single-family residence on a vacant lot. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions including a minimum 6-foot-deep front porch with two-step elevation and 8-by-8-inch columns, modifications to the front door style, additional windows, and submission of a dimensional context site line.
• Public Comment: None.
• Outcome: Motion to approve with staff conditions passed 7-0. Motion by Commissioner Ketchum, second by Commissioner Brisendine.

HCLC-26-007 – New Multifamily Residence at 1227 Verbena Street

• Item: Applicant requested a COA to construct a new three-unit residence (triplex) in the Morningside Historic District. This was a revised application after a previous denial without prejudice on December 8, 2025. Staff recommended denial without prejudice, citing that the overall form, roof lines, massing, and scale are inconsistent with the historic context and that the design is incompatible with the traditional character of the streetscape. One letter of opposition from a neighbor was received.
• Public Comment: Applicant Miguel Vargas stated he had made many changes since the previous hearing, including altering roof lines and windows, and expressed willingness to work with staff. He noted the building height is 30 feet versus neighboring single-story structures (approx. 28 feet). A speaker, Geraldine Velasquez, asked clarifying questions about why the proposal would not pass and whether a duplex would be more acceptable. Commissioners and staff explained that the issue is the volume and massing relative to the scale of the existing historic homes, not the number of units per se, and encouraged the applicant to work closely with city staff.
• Discussion: Commissioners echoed staff concerns that the proposed building does not fit the architectural style, massing, and scale of the neighborhood. Vice Chair Kelly Gardner moved to deny without prejudice; Commissioner Muse seconded.
• Outcome: Motion to deny without prejudice passed 7-0. The commission encouraged the applicant to work with staff to revise the design.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes, two resolutions for state historical markers, HSE overlay recommendation for TXU power plant, and COA for new residence at 909 East Mulkey Street (with conditions).
• Denied: Sign waiver for Bush Light sign on water tower (denied with prejudice); COA for multifamily residence at 1227 Verbena Street (denied without prejudice).
• All votes: 7-0 in favor of the commission's decisions.
• Next Steps: The applicant for the Verbena Street project was advised to work with city staff on a revised design for future consideration.