OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fort Worth Board of Adjustment Meeting Summary – April 15, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, April 15, 2026
BodyFort Worth, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, April 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:25:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good morning.

0:03

Notice of this meeting has been posted online for at least 72 hours.

0:07

Staff present today are Denisha London, Stephan Stacey Jones, Emily Reyes, Scott Bellin, Chris Austria, Trey Qualls, and Rebecca Ray Rebecca Valdez.

0:19

Chair, will you please call this meeting to order?

0:23

Yes, this is Whit Woolman, and this meeting of the Board of Adjustment will now come to order.

0:28

It is the 15th day of April 2026.

0:33

Don't forget about your taxes today.

0:36

And I welcome everyone to the Board of Adjustment.

0:39

This board is a citizen board appointed by the city council.

0:42

By state law, a minimum of nine members or alternate members must be present to provide a quorum in order to conduct business.

0:50

Today we have a quorum with all 11 members present.

0:54

Today's meeting agenda can be found online at www.fortworthtexas.gov.

1:00

Speaker registration forms for cases on today's agenda should have been turned in prior to the start of the session.

1:06

Today's public hearing is being documented by cable television and video conference recording, which will be available on the city's website.

1:14

To facilitate an orderly meeting, I am asking everyone in the council chamber to turn off the audible alarms on your electronic devices at this time so we will not be distracted during our meeting.

1:26

Each case will be called in the sequence listed on the agenda unless otherwise directed by me, the chair.

1:31

The board of adjustment requests that the following rules of procedure be respected.

1:36

For case introduction, each case will be introduced by the City of Fort Worth Development Services Department.

1:43

After presenting the facts of the case, the Board of Adjustment Board members will have the opportunity to question city staff about the case and any applicable laws or regulations that might apply.

1:55

This portion of the discussion is exclusively between city staff and the board members.

2:01

As your case is being called, we ask that you move to the front row of the chambers.

2:05

You will have seven minutes to present the facts of your case and why you believe your application meets the criteria for approval.

2:12

If more than one person is presenting the case, it is necessary to divide the total seven minutes among all parties.

2:19

So you do not exceed the total allotted time.

2:23

After the applicant has presented their case, I will call for any opposition to come forward.

2:29

This is their opportunity to express why they believe the variance or special exception should not be approved.

2:36

The opposition is also allotted a total of seven minutes of time to be shared among all speakers.

2:42

If opposition is presented to the variance or special exception, the applicant will have an additional three minutes of rebuttal time.

2:50

The chair may allow for a few more seconds in each presentation to ensure a speaker's final point can be made.

2:58

In 2019, there was a rule change regarding translation cases.

3:02

When speakers require the services of a translator, all speaker times during those cases will be doubled.

3:09

During the question and answer period, after the parties have presented their positions, the board members will then have the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant and any opposition.

3:19

During this time, all speakers must remember that all dialogue be directed to the board of adjustment only.

3:26

There is no time limit during this period.

3:29

After the board members have received answers to their questions, I will close the public portion of the hearing.

3:35

Board members can discuss the case among themselves and city staff to determine whether or not an application meets or does not meet the criteria for approval.

3:44

After this discussion, I will ask for a motion to approve, deny, or continue the case.

3:56

If an application is denied, an applicant will have 10 days in which to appeal to a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

4:03

For more information on this and additional information on any case on today's agenda, you may contact the board of adjustment at 817 392 8026 after this meeting.

4:18

If necessary, a closed executive session may be held with respect to the posted agenda items to enable the board of adjustment to receive advice from legal staff.

4:28

The first order of business is the approval of the minutes from March 18th, 2026.

4:35

We are open for a motion to approve.

4:37

I'd like to make a motion to approve March meet meetings.

4:45

Thank you.

4:46

Thank you.

4:46

Ms.

4:47

Powell makes the motion.

4:48

Mr.

4:48

Hook seconds.

4:51

Staff, could you please call a roll uh make a roll call vote?

4:54

Yes.

4:55

Board member Jim Whitten?

4:57

Yes.

4:57

Board member Sergio Garza.

4:59

Yes.

5:00

Board member Michael Johnston.

5:01

Yes.

5:02

Board member Bob Riley.

5:03

Yes.

5:04

Board member James Hook.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning█████████████████████████████████████████████72%
Procedural████████12%
Code Enforcement███████11%
Parking███4%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Fort Worth Board of Adjustment Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Fort Worth Board of Adjustment convened on April 15, 2026, at 9:00 AM (local time) to hear and decide on 14 variance and special exception cases. The meeting, chaired by Whit Woolman, was attended by all 11 members, providing a full quorum. Staff presentations, public testimony, and board deliberations were conducted for each case. Decisions included approvals, denials, continuances, and a withdrawal.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (March 18, 2026): Approved unanimously (11-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • BAR-26-010 (Mount Hormway): Applicant stated the lot width reduction resulted from a required street dedication. No opposition.
  • BAR-26-011 (Dallas Avenue): Applicant, Eric Martinez, supported the parking variance to preserve trees and fit duplex on lot. Opposition letter cited concerns about spillover parking and speeding. Applicant chose not to consider plan modifications.
  • BAC-26-005 (Basswood Boulevard): Applicant explained the sign rebranding and ECC request. Opposition letter from Scenic Fort Worth raised distraction concerns.
  • BAC-26-006 (Lancaster Avenue): Applicant, Javier Bedrasa, cited homeless activity and city cleanup notices as reason for fence. Six opposition letters cited aesthetics and blocked views. One neighbor supported.
  • BAC-26-011 (Camp Bowie Boulevard): Applicant argued dumpster location was optimal due to lot shape. No opposition.
  • BAR-26-021 (Patent Court): Applicant and homeowner (Ashlyn Lawson) emphasized need for storage, security, and family space. Three letters of support; no opposition.
  • BAR-26-016 (Edgefield Road): Applicant cited floodplain constraints and desire to avoid flood insurance. Six opposition letters; applicant noted some neighbors later supported.
  • BAR-26-025 (Arundel Avenue): Applicant explained addition needed to protect pecan tree and fit house design. No opposition; three neighbors signed support.
  • BAR-26-018 (Chateau Drive): Applicant cited need to secure two classic vehicles. Opposition (Lisa Ganser) detailed permit violations, misrepresentation, and harm to property value. Applicant rebutted that no fraud was intended.
  • BAR-26-020 (Stanhope Drive): Applicant explained that the existing pergola was approved by city, and a rain cover would not change green space or runoff. No opposition.
  • BAR-26-022 (Lisbon Street): Applicant built shed without permit; also faced parking issue due to former garage conversion. Several neighbors signed support.
  • BAR-26-023 (Turner Street): Applicant noted lot width is 50 ft vs. required 55 ft. No opposition.
  • BAR-26-017 (Balsize Terrace): Spanish-speaking applicant requested variance for 44 ft wide lot. No opposition.
  • BAR-26-024 (Trails Edge Road): Applicant (Tyler Mobley) sought garage extension and fence adjustments to match existing. Opposition (Reverend Ryan Wilkerson) raised sight-line and safety concerns; applicant later offered to reduce extension to 20 ft setback.
  • BAR-26-026 (Sky Lake Drive): Applicant cited four hardships (irregular lot, topography, floodplain, mature trees). Neighbors and HOA expressed support.

Discussion Items

  • Announcements: Legal staff notified the board of four appealed cases (BAC-25-024, BAR-25-125, BAC-25-068, BAC-25-045) and reminded members to avoid discussing them.
  • BAR-26-010 (Lot Width Variance): The 41 ft width was caused by a required street dedication. Board found no opposition and approved unanimously.
  • BAR-26-011 (Parking Variance for Duplex): Board discussed options to narrow the structure or use side access; applicant refused. Motion to approve failed (1-10), resulting in denial with prejudice.
  • BAC-26-005 (ECC Sign): Board debated traffic confusion and sign visibility. Motion to continue for 30 days passed unanimously to allow applicant to provide more details.
  • BAC-26-006 (Fence on Vacant Lot): Board split on hardship. Variance A (fence without use) failed (6-5; needed 9 votes). Variance B (projected front yard) also failed (3-8). Both denied.
  • BAC-26-011 (Dumpster Enclosure): Board noted unique lot shape and minimal visibility. Approved 10-1.
  • BAR-26-021 (Garage & Patio Setbacks): Both variances approved: A (side setback) 10-1; B (rear setback) 9-2.
  • BAR-26-016 (Garage & Pool on Through Lot): Board recognized floodplain hardship and lack of rear yard. Approved 10-1.
  • BAR-26-025 (Front Yard Addition): Board accepted addition to protect pecan tree; approved unanimously.
  • BAR-26-018 (Second Detached Garage & Lot Coverage): Motion for variance A failed (5-6), then variance B also failed (5-6). Both denied.
  • BAR-26-020 (Pergola Size & Lot Coverage): Board found city error in approving plans. Both variances approved unanimously.
  • BAR-26-022 (Shed Size & Parking): Variance A (shed) approved unanimously. Variance B (parking) initially proposed for continuance, then substitute motion to approve passed 10-1.
  • BAR-26-023 (Lot Width): Approved unanimously.
  • BAR-26-017 (Lot Width): Approved unanimously.
  • BAR-26-024 (Garage Extension & Fence): Variance A amended to 20 ft setback and approved unanimously. Special exception B and variances C and D for fence approved unanimously.
  • BAR-26-026 (Front Setback & Garage Projection): Both variances approved unanimously.
  • BAC-25-067 (Withdrawal): Applicant withdrew; board accepted withdrawal, resulting in denial with prejudice.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: BAR-26-010, BAC-26-011 (Camp Bowie), BAR-26-021 (both variances), BAR-26-016, BAR-26-025, BAR-26-020 (both), BAR-26-022 (both), BAR-26-023, BAR-26-017, BAR-26-024 (amended and all), BAR-26-026 (both).
  • Denied: BAR-26-011 (with prejudice), BAC-26-006 (both variances A and B), BAR-26-018 (both variances A and B), BAC-25-067 (withdrawn, denial with prejudice).
  • Continued: BAC-26-005 (30-day continuance).
  • Vote Tallies:
    • BAR-26-011 denial: 1-10.
    • BAC-26-006 variance A: 6-5 (failed to achieve required 3/4 supermajority).
    • BAC-26-006 variance B: 3-8.
    • BAR-26-018 variance A: 5-6; variance B: 5-6.
    • All other approvals had strong majorities, often unanimous or near-unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Applicants for denied cases may appeal to district court within 10 days. Approved applicants must work with city staff to finalize permits. The continued case (BAC-26-005) will return in 30 days.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Notice of this meeting has been posted online for at least 72 hours. Staff present today are Denisha London, Stephan Stacey Jones, Emily Reyes, Scott Bellin, Chris Austria, Trey Qualls, and Rebecca Ray Rebecca Valdez. Chair, will you please call this meeting to order? Yes, this is Whit Woolman, and this meeting of the Board of Adjustment will now come to order. It is the 15th day of April 2026. Don't forget about your taxes today. And I welcome everyone to the Board of Adjustment. This board is a citizen board appointed by the city council. By state law, a minimum of nine members or alternate members must be present to provide a quorum in order to conduct business. Today we have a quorum with all 11 members present. Today's meeting agenda can be found online at www.fortworthtexas.gov. Speaker registration forms for cases on today's agenda should have been turned in prior to the start of the session. Today's public hearing is being documented by cable television and video conference recording, which will be available on the city's website. To facilitate an orderly meeting, I am asking everyone in the council chamber to turn off the audible alarms on your electronic devices at this time so we will not be distracted during our meeting. Each case will be called in the sequence listed on the agenda unless otherwise directed by me, the chair. The board of adjustment requests that the following rules of procedure be respected. For case introduction, each case will be introduced by the City of Fort Worth Development Services Department. After presenting the facts of the case, the Board of Adjustment Board members will have the opportunity to question city staff about the case and any applicable laws or regulations that might apply. This portion of the discussion is exclusively between city staff and the board members. As your case is being called, we ask that you move to the front row of the chambers. You will have seven minutes to present the facts of your case and why you believe your application meets the criteria for approval. If more than one person is presenting the case, it is necessary to divide the total seven minutes among all parties. So you do not exceed the total allotted time. After the applicant has presented their case, I will call for any opposition to come forward. This is their opportunity to express why they believe the variance or special exception should not be approved. The opposition is also allotted a total of seven minutes of time to be shared among all speakers. If opposition is presented to the variance or special exception, the applicant will have an additional three minutes of rebuttal time. The chair may allow for a few more seconds in each presentation to ensure a speaker's final point can be made. In 2019, there was a rule change regarding translation cases. When speakers require the services of a translator, all speaker times during those cases will be doubled. During the question and answer period, after the parties have presented their positions, the board members will then have the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant and any opposition. During this time, all speakers must remember that all dialogue be directed to the board of adjustment only. There is no time limit during this period. After the board members have received answers to their questions, I will close the public portion of the hearing. Board members can discuss the case among themselves and city staff to determine whether or not an application meets or does not meet the criteria for approval. After this discussion, I will ask for a motion to approve, deny, or continue the case. If an application is denied, an applicant will have 10 days in which to appeal to a court of appropriate jurisdiction. For more information on this and additional information on any case on today's agenda, you may contact the board of adjustment at 817 392 8026 after this meeting. If necessary, a closed executive session may be held with respect to the posted agenda items to enable the board of adjustment to receive advice from legal staff. The first order of business is the approval of the minutes from March 18th, 2026. We are open for a motion to approve. I'd like to make a motion to approve March meet meetings. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Powell makes the motion. Mr. Hook seconds. Staff, could you please call a roll uh make a roll call vote?

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