Fort Worth Zoning Commission Public Hearing - July 8, 2026
Fort Worth Zoning Commission Public Hearing - July 8, 2026
The Fort Worth Zoning Commission held a public hearing on July 8, 2026, beginning at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting addressed multiple zoning cases and a major text amendment concerning data center regulations. The commission voted on 15 items, including approvals, continuances, and denials. The most significant action was the denial of the proposed zoning ordinance amendments for data centers and cryptocurrency mining.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Previous Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously (11-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Data Center Ordinance (ZC-26-087): Over 20 members of the public spoke in opposition to the proposed data center regulations. Key concerns included:
- Insufficient setbacks (250 feet) from residential areas, with many advocating for 1,000 feet or more.
- Lack of differentiation between traditional data centers and AI/hyperscale facilities.
- Need for stronger noise, water, and energy regulations.
- Calls for a moratorium or denial of the ordinance.
- Historical preservation concerns, particularly for Weston Gardens and Mosier Valley.
- Environmental impacts on air quality, wildlife, and water resources.
- Other Cases: No public opposition was registered for most other zoning cases, except for ZC-26-068 (Mosier Valley) where residents opposed light industrial rezoning.
Discussion Items
- ZC-26-070 (2115 Bell Ave): Applicant requested a continuance due to needed waivers for parking, front yard setbacks, and fencing. The commission continued the case to August.
- ZC-26-071 (1297-1309 Cantrell Sansom Rd): Applicant requested a continuance to allow staff review of a newly submitted site plan. Continued to August.
- ZC-26-060 (6732 Blue Mound Rd): Request for a conditional use permit for an automotive repair (oil change) in Neighborhood Commercial. Approved unanimously.
- ZC-26-064 (1401 Alameda St): Applicant requested a 60-day continuance to meet with residents who had recently expressed opposition. The commission continued the case to September.
- ZC-26-066 (3550 Ulysses Main St): Rezoning from Light Industrial and PD to Light Industrial for cleanup of historical zoning. Approved unanimously.
- ZC-26-068 (3136 & 3200 House Anderson Rd): Rezoning from Agricultural to Light Industrial. Residents of Mosier Valley, a historic freedman's community, opposed. The commission denied the request (11-0) citing incompatibility with the comprehensive plan and neighborhood opposition.
- ZC-26-069 (3201 House Anderson Rd): Rezoning from Agricultural to A-43 Single Family Residential. After discussion, the commission approved, noting it aligns with the future land use plan for residential development.
- ZC-26-073 (2001 & 2005 Jensen Rd): Applicant requested a continuance to meet with neighborhood associations. Continued to August.
- ZC-26-075 (604 Luxton St): Rezoning from A-5 with historic overlay to B-2 Two-Family Residential for a duplex. Approved despite concerns about compatibility with the neighborhood's single-family character.
- ZC-26-077 (2008 Edmonia Ct) and ZC-26-081 (1910 & 1912 Amanda Ave): Both by Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church for multi-generational housing in Stop Six. Approved unanimously.
- SP-26-009 (6251 Stevenson Oaks Dr): Amendment to site plan for a skilled nursing facility to a smaller household model. Approved.
- ZC-26-080 (406 & 408 Diamond Ave): Rezoning from Medium Industrial to R-1 Residential. Approved.
- ZC-26-082 (5851 North Freeway): Rezoning from Intensive Commercial to Light Industrial for a warehouse cluster. Denied due to traffic and compatibility concerns.
- ZC-26-087 (Data Center Ordinance): Staff presented proposed amendments to restrict data centers to industrial districts, add development standards (setbacks, landscaping, lighting, noise), and prohibit cryptocurrency mining. After extensive public comment and commissioner deliberation, the commission voted to deny the ordinance (7-4).
Key Outcomes
- ZC-26-060: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-066: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-068: Denied (11-0).
- ZC-26-069: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-075: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-077: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-080: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-081: Approved (11-0).
- ZC-26-082: Denied (11-0).
- ZC-26-087: Denied (7-4).
- Continuances: ZC-26-070, ZC-26-071, ZC-26-064, ZC-26-073 all continued to August or September hearings.
- Recommendation: The commission's denial of the data center ordinance will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Staff indicated they will continue to gather feedback and may propose revised regulations.
Meeting Transcript
Comme, c'est. Comme? Comme. Comme All right, we'll go ahead and get started here. Welcome everybody to the Zoning Commission. Uh today is July eighth. Uh, we are glad you all are here. I will officially call this meeting to order. Thank you for participating in your local government. It's important. Just a reminder uh here at the Zoning Commission, we are a recommending body. If you have uh interest in these cases, and I know a lot of you are here for a couple in particular. Uh, please make sure that your voice is heard at City Council as well when those cases come before them for that final decision. But thank you all for being here. Thank you, fellow commissioners. Glad you all are here. With that, Dave. Welcome to the July eighth, twenty twenty six zoning commission public hearing. Today's meeting agenda can be found online at WW.fort Worth Texas.gov. Speaker registration forms must have been turned in prior to the start of the meeting. Today's public hearing is being documented by cable television and a recording will be available on the city's website. Cases heard at this public hearing are to be heard at the August eleventh City Council meeting unless otherwise stated on the agenda. To achieve a timely and orderly meeting, the commission requests that the following rules of procedure be respected. Each case will be called in the sequence listed on the agenda unless otherwise directed by the chair. All ensuing dialogue shall be directed to the commission only. Those that are not able to speak today are encouraged to submit comments or sign up to speak at the city council meeting. The Friday before the scheduled hearing date. Discuss and vote upon the item in question during this time. No further public testimony or commentary will be allowed unless directed by the chair. A closed executive session may be held with respect to the posted agenda items to enable the commission to receive advice from legal staff. For additional information on any case on today's agenda, you may contact the Development Services Department by calling 817-392-8028. Mr. Chair, the first order of business is roll call. The zoning commission requires a quorum of six members to be present and available for voting. Please be advised that it takes six members to approve a zoning case. The following members are present today. Mr. Chair, we do have a quorum. The next item on the agenda is the approval of the previous months minutes. Alright, at this time we are open for a motion to approve our regular meeting minutes. Mr. Chairman, I make that motion. Second. Alright, we have a motion by Commissioner Edmonds and a second by Commissioner Warman. Commissioners, how do you vote? Commissioner Rains. Aye. Commissioner Mayo. Aye. Commissioner Trujillo.
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