Fort Worth Board of Adjustment Meeting - July 15, 2026
Fort Worth Board of Adjustment Meeting - July 15, 2026
The Fort Worth Board of Adjustment convened on July 15, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM with 11 members present. The meeting addressed 14 agenda items including variance requests, special exceptions, and a continuance. Key actions included approval of minutes, approval of several variances, denials without prejudice, and continuances. The meeting lasted about 4 hours with a lunch recess.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from the June 17, 2026 meeting by unanimous roll call vote (11-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- BAR-26-066 (3908 Townsend Drive): Applicant Elvira Rodriguez spoke in support of variances for a larger covered patio, citing personal use for elderly father. Neighbors submitted a petition in support.
- BAR-26-054 (9720 Stony Bridge Road): Applicant testified about a shed built under incorrect municipal guidelines. Board discussed removing an existing shed to avoid variance.
- BAR-26-065 and BAR-26-061 (River Road duplexes): Applicant Casey Dudley spoke in support of parking and setback variances, noting prior approval that expired.
- BAR-26-056 (429 Virginia Place): Applicant and homeowners spoke in support of addition variance, citing preservation of mature trees. Two neighbors expressed concerns about tree impacts but no opposition.
- BAR-26-067 (3633 Washburn Avenue): Applicant Casey Dudley spoke in support of three variances for a duplex. Two letters of opposition were received from the adjacent neighbor and neighborhood association.
- BAR-26-064 (1917 Carlton): Applicant Jeanette Graf spoke in support of three variances for garage and addition, citing family needs and erosion issues.
- Other cases: No public opposition was registered in cases BAR-26-018, BAR-26-059, BAR-26-062, BAR-26-063, BAR-26-048, BAR-26-060.
Discussion Items
The board heard and deliberated on the following cases:
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BAR-26-066 – Variances for an 800 sq ft covered patio (exceeding 200 sq ft limit) and 12 ft height. Board discussed alternative carport option via alley access. Motion to continue for 60 days to allow applicant to work with city staff. Passed unanimously (11-0).
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BAR-26-048 – Applicant requested denial without prejudice; no presentation. Board approved denial without prejudice unanimously.
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BAC-26-018 – Special exception for electronic changeable copy signs at Kroger grocery store. Applicant testified signs would only display gas prices and face roads, not residences. Approved unanimously (11-0).
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BAR-26-054 – Variance for 320 sq ft of sheds (exceeding 200 sq ft). Applicant indicated intent to remove one shed, eliminating need for variance. Motion to deny without prejudice passed unanimously (11-0).
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BAR-26-065 – Two variances for duplex parking location and projected front yard setback. Applicant had prior approval that expired due to sewer extension delays. Board approved after separate votes: Variance A (parking) 11-0, Variance B (setback) 11-0.
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BAR-26-061 – Two variances for duplex parking and driveway coverage. Similar circumstances to above. Approved separately: Variance A 11-0, Variance B 11-0.
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BAR-26-056 – Variance for projected front yard setback of 30’2” (required 35’). Applicant argued hardship due to 14 mature trees and desire to preserve them. Neighbors voiced concerns about tree preservation. Approved unanimously (10-0) (one member had departed).
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BAR-26-067 – Three variances for duplex parking, lot coverage, and driveway coverage. Board discussed self-imposed hardship and potential redesign using alley. Motion to continue for 60 days passed unanimously (10-0).
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BAR-26-064 – Three variances for side and rear setbacks on garage and addition. Applicant cited family needs and existing non-conforming structures. Approved: Variance A (side) 10-1 (Johnston dissented), Variance B (rear) 10-1 (Johnston dissented, Duffy changed to yes), Variance C (other side) 11-0.
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BAR-26-062 – Variance for side yard setback on twin home development. Applicant owns adjacent lots and plans full development. Approved unanimously (10-0).
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BAR-26-055 – Variance for side yard setback on home addition. Board member Johnston recused due to neighbor relationship. Applicant spoke. Approved unanimously (9-0).
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BAR-26-059 – Variance to allow pool within front yard setback (49’8” from property line vs required 75’). Applicant explained pool is in courtyard. Approved unanimously (10-0).
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BAR-26-063 – Variance for lot area (6,506 sq ft vs required 7,500). Property was foreclosed; new owner seeks to finish construction. Approved unanimously (10-0).
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BAR-26-060 – Special exception for front yard carport. Applicant not present; board continued to August 19 meeting unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approvals: 9 cases approved (BAC-26-018, BAR-26-065, BAR-26-061, BAR-26-056, BAR-26-064, BAR-26-062, BAR-26-055, BAR-26-059, BAR-26-063).
- Denials without prejudice: 2 cases (BAR-26-048, BAR-26-054).
- Continuances: 3 cases (BAR-26-066, BAR-26-067, BAR-26-060).
- Vote tallies are noted per case; most were unanimous.
- The meeting adjourned after handling all agenda items.
Meeting Transcript
No, it's just a question. I've been watching for a while. Good morning. Notice of this meeting has been posted on live for at least seventy-two hours. Staff present today are Stacy Jones, Emily Reyes, Trey Qualls, Mare Belpina, and Denisha London. Chair, will you please call this meeting to order? Yes, thank you. By state law, a minimum of nine members and alternate members must be present to provide a quorum in order to conduct business. Today we have a quorum with all eleven members present. Today's meeting agenda can be found online at WW.gov. Speaker registration forums for cases on today's agenda should have been turned in prior to the start of this session. Today's public hearing is being documented by cable television and video conference recording. To facilitate to facilitate an orderly meeting, I'm 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. Excuse me, 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 time seven minutes among all parties, so you do not exceed the 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 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. For 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 amongst 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. City staff will call for a voice vote from each member. 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 force first order of business on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from June 17th, 2026. We are open for a motion to approve. Approve. Motion. Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you. Uh we have a motion to approve by Mr. Hook and a second by Miss Freed.
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