Fort Worth Board of Adjustments Meeting – March 18, 2026

The Fort Worth Board of Adjustments convened on March 18, 2026, with a quorum of 10 members to hear multiple variance and special exception requests. The meeting included public hearings, testimony, and votes on several cases involving signage, parking, lot setbacks, and telecommunications towers. The board approved, denied, or continued each item as detailed below.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous month's meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case BAC-25-045 (Greenlee Street): The applicant requested a variance to allow a chain-link fence with opaque tarp and barbed wire instead of required wood/brick/stone screening fence. The applicant argued the fence was sturdy, provided security, and had been in place since 2007 without complaints. Julie Armandarez (owner) alleged targeted harassment from a single complainant. Opposition from Dan Hayes (Vice President, Central Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association) stated the tarp rarely covers the fence and does not screen vehicles, and that the property is part of the East Lancaster Public Improvement District where appearance improvements are encouraged. The board denied the variance (10-2, with Board Members Duffy and Acosta dissenting).

Discussion Items

• Case BAC-25-067 (Hewland Street): Applicant requested a continuance to revise sign plans; granted unanimously to next month.
• Case BAR-26-003 (Pensacola Avenue): Applicant Leslie Gonzalez (on behalf of owner Alicia Duran Velaz) requested a special exception for a front-yard carport and a variance to allow all required parking in front of the building. The property had no garage and limited side access. Staff confirmed three other carports on the block. The board approved both the special exception and the variance (special exception: 10-1, Board Member Herrera opposed; variance: 11-0).
• Case BAR-25-111 (Marlin Street): Applicant Casey Dudley (Newpad Building Company) requested variances for lot width, lot area, and a reduced projected front yard setback for a new single-family home. The property was a corner lot with a steep slope and right-of-way dedication. The applicant redesigned the home to a two-story with attached garage after previous continuance. Board approved all three variances unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAC-26-001 (Silver Creek Road): Applicant Ben Williams (QuickTrip) requested two special exceptions for electronic changeable copy (ECC) signs on a monument sign and a freeway sign at a new gas station. Staff noted residential areas across the highway, but no objections. Board approved both special exceptions unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAC-25-068 (Hewland Street / Arlington Heights High School): Applicant Beb Francis (SBA Communications) requested a variance to allow a 120-foot stealth telecommunications tower (reduced from 130 feet) to replace an existing 87-foot monopole. The applicant argued the height was needed to overcome a coverage blockage caused by a new school building. Opposition from Sediment Hall (neighbor) cited visual impact and safety concerns for medevac helicopters. Board discussion included whether the variance criteria were met. The motion to approve failed (9-2, Board Members Johnston and Hook opposing; note: Board Member Whitten recused). The denial was with prejudice.
• Case BAC-26-007 (Oak Grove Road): Applicant Corey Vaughn (QuickTrip) requested two special exceptions for ECC signs on a monument sign and a freeway sign. Staff noted the freeway sign height would require a separate future variance. Board approved both special exceptions unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAC-26-009 (Heritage Trace Parkway): Applicant Kevin Cooksey (Walmart) requested two special exceptions to convert existing pylon signs to ECC. Opposition letters from North Fort Worth Alliance and Heritage Board. Board discussion included concerns about precedent and neighborhood character. Motion to approve passed (10-1, Board Member Herrera opposed).
• Case BAC-26-008 (Eagle Parkway): Applicant Corey Hag (Belferma) requested variances to landscaping requirements (fewer shrubs and reduced front-yard landscaping percentage) for two new warehouse buildings. The site had floodplain, easements, and unusual lot shape. The applicant argued they would provide the required number of shrubs overall but not in the required front-yard area. Board approved both variances unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAR-26-010 (West Central Avenue): Applicant Brian Bubis requested a variance to permit six parking spaces instead of ten for a historic law office. The property had limited space due to lot constraints. Staff noted no opposition. Board approved the variance unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAR-26-012 (Amanda Avenue): Applicant Tiffany Bacera requested a variance for a 43.05-foot lot width (required 50 feet) due to a neighboring encroachment. The lot was vacant and would be replatted. Board approved unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAR-26-013 (Willie Street): Applicant Tiffany Bacera requested a variance for a 47.85-foot lot width (required 50 feet) to subdivide and build two homes. Board approved unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAR-26-007 (Roaring Springs): Applicant Michael Dyke requested a variance to maintain a 20-foot front yard setback instead of the required 35-foot established setback. The lot had a steep slope and was shallower than others. Board approved unanimously (11-0).
• Case BAR-26-014 (Western Willows Drive): Applicant Marinel Poole requested a variance to allow a storage shed 10 feet from side property line and a carport 20 feet from side property line (required 25 feet). Discussion focused on alternative locations. Board continued the case to May 2026 for the applicant to consider alternative plans.
• Case BAR-26-009 (Birchman Avenue): Applicant Gary Chestine requested a variance for a 5-foot 7-inch side yard setback (required 10 feet) for a new single-family home. The applicant had relied on city staff information that the existing foundation allowed the setback. Board continued the case to May 2026 for the applicant to present a revised plan.
• Case BAR-26-010 (translation case): Continued administratively to next month due to lack of licensed interpreter.
• Case BAR-25-095 (Barnett Street): Applicant withdrew the application; board accepted the withdrawal, resulting in denial with prejudice.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous or near-unanimous): BAR-26-003, BAR-25-111, BAC-26-001, BAC-26-007, BAC-26-009, BAC-26-008, BAR-26-010, BAR-26-012, BAR-26-013, BAR-26-007.
• Denied: BAC-25-045 (10-2), BAC-25-068 (9-2, with prejudice).
• Continued: BAC-25-067, BAR-26-014, BAR-26-009, BAR-26-010 (administrative).
• Withdrawn: BAR-25-095 (denial with prejudice).