Fort Worth Historic & Cultural Landmarks Commission Meeting – May 11, 2026

The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission (HCLC) of Fort Worth, Texas, met on May 11, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Chair Rick Herring presided, with Vice Chair Anna Katrina Kelly Gardner, Commissioners Walter Peoples, Estris Tucker, Roger Sheffalo, Corey Malone, Brian Ketcham, Tim Haldin, and Graham Bresendine present (9 members). Staff provided reports and recommendations. The commission approved two historical marker resolutions, two tax exemption verifications, three certificates of appropriateness (COAs) for new construction, one COA for a transitional parking lot with waivers, and one COA for a commercial project with a waiver. One case (signage at 2341 N Main St) was approved with a modified condition, and one appeal (fence at 1615 E Hattie St) was denied with prejudice. All votes were 9-0 except the modified signage item which passed 7-2.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of April 13, 2026, meeting minutes: Motion to approve passed 9-0.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-04 – Marine Park State Historical Marker: The commission unanimously supported placing a state historical marker at 303 NW 20th St, citing the park's history as one of the first municipal parks in Tarrant County (established 1892) and its role as a community gathering place, including performances by Selena in 1991 and 1993. Approved 9-0.
• Resolution 2026-05 – Park Hill Neighborhood State Historical Marker: The commission unanimously supported placing a marker at the triangular park at Lofton Terrace, Medville Court, and Wescott Road, recognizing the 1925 subdivision designed by Hare & Hare Landscape Architects. Approved 9-0.
• Tax Exemption Verification – 2141 Pembroke Drive (HCLC-26-117): The commission certified eligible work meeting zoning ordinance requirements for a historic site tax exemption, praising the restoration. Approved 9-0.
• Tax Exemption Verification – 2200 Harrison Avenue (HCLC-26-118): Similarly certified, with Commissioner Bresendine noting the remarkable work visible from his nearby home. Approved 9-0.
• Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) with Waivers – 2341 N Main Street (Tacobas) (HCLC-26-073): Applicant requested a pergola, a projecting sign on the east facade (9 ft above roofline, 30° angle), and a relocated boot sign on the north facade (3 ft above roofline). Staff recommended approval for the pergola and boot sign, but denial (without prejudice) for the east facade projecting sign due to inappropriate scale and placement. Staff noted the building's unique sloped roofline. After discussion, the commission:
  • Approved the pergola structure (9-0).
  • Approved the east facade projecting sign with a modification: maximum height of 5.5 ft above the roofline (instead of 9 ft), and the sign to be angled at 30° (7-2, Commissioners Peoples and Haldin voting no). The applicant agreed to this condition.
  • Approved the relocated boot sign on the north facade as proposed (9-0).
• Appeal – 1615 E Hattie Street (HCLC-26-055): Applicant appealed the historic preservation officer's denial of a COA to retain a front yard fence installed without approval in February 2026. Staff found the fence inconsistent with the Terrell Heights Design Guidelines, which emphasize open front yards. The commission denied the appeal with prejudice, requiring removal of the fence. Approved 9-0.
• New Construction – 1020 E Loudoun Street (HCLC-26-089): COA to build a new residence and garage after a fire destroyed the previous structure in 2024. Staff recommended approval with conditions: front porch minimum depth 6 ft, evenly spaced columns, additional windows on west elevation, smooth finished lap siding with 6-inch reveal. Approved 9-0.
• New Construction – 1201 E Morningside Drive (HCLC-26-100): COA for a new one-story residence and garage. Staff recommended approval with conditions: contextual site plan showing setbacks, evenly spaced porch columns, solid or traditional-style front door, windows with 2:1 height-to-width ratio and projecting sills/trim, additional windows on west elevation, and 6-inch siding reveal. Approved 9-0.
• Transitional Parking Lot – 660 Union Stockyards Boulevard (HCLC-26-045): COA for a temporary surface parking lot (377 spaces) on a 3.5-acre vacant lot, with waivers from the Stockyards Form-Based Code regarding parking room size, tree canopy (0% instead of 40%), perimeter planting (narrower strip with non-continuous shrubs), and paving materials (crushed gravel instead of brick). Staff supported the temporary nature and integration with future development. The lot includes a 3-foot pipe rail fence, solar lighting, and a pedestrian connection. Fort Worth Stockyards Inc. and the Design Review Committee supported the project. Approved 9-0.
• New Commercial Property – 2414 Clinton Avenue (HCLC-26-108): COA for a two-story, 12,000 sq ft mixed-use building with a waiver from street standards to allow the West Exchange Avenue treatment (10-ft pedestrian zone, no planting strip) instead of the required B Street treatment. Staff found the design compatible with the historic district's rhythm. A public comment raised concerns about inadequate parking and lack of neighborhood notification, but the commission noted parking was not under its jurisdiction and legal notices had been sent. Approved 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• All 10 agenda items were voted on, with 9 items passing 9-0 and one modified item passing 7-2.
• The commission approved two state historical marker applications, two tax exemption verifications, three COAs for new construction, one COA for a transitional parking lot with four waivers, and one COA for a commercial project with one waiver.
• The appeal to retain an unauthorized front yard fence was denied with prejudice.
• For the Tacobas signage case, the commission reduced the permitted height of the projecting sign on the east facade from 9 ft to 5.5 ft above the roofline, and allowed a 30° angle.
• All approved items will proceed to City Council as applicable.