Fort Worth Urban Design Commission Meeting – July 16, 2026
Fort Worth Urban Design Commission Meeting – July 16, 2026
The Urban Design Commission met on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM (UTC) to hear six cases, including two urban forestry waivers, two signage requests, a building design waiver, and a zoning map amendment. The meeting lasted approximately several hours. Quorum was present with seven members: Chairman Benner, Vice Chair Ramsey, Commissioners Carr, DeBose, Halliday, Hughes, and Reed. Staff presented technical reports.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the June 18, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Margaret Johnson (President, River District Neighborhood Alliance) opposed the tree preservation waiver for White Settlement Road, citing cumulative canopy loss and urging the commission to wait for final plat submission. She provided historical canopy images from 2014 and 2025.
- Lydia Wahardo Rickard (Executive Director, Camp Bowie District Inc.) opposed the four-sign request for the bank at Camp Bowie, stating comparative properties are legal non-conforming and the proposal conflicts with the code's intent to reduce visual clutter.
- Austin James (Near South Side Inc.) supported staff's recommendation for the Magnolia sign case and suggested alternative sign types (blade or shingle signs) for the applicant.
- Three letters of opposition were received for the White Settlement Road tree case; two from individuals (Brandon Bloodsell and Margaret Johnson) and one from Melinda Tattelbaum (land use/traffic concerns, not tree-related).
Discussion Items
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UFC Case UDC-2026-135 (7901 Ederville Road): Staff requested a waiver from the 50% post oak preservation requirement to 0% due to severe grading (18-foot elevation change). The site had 19 post oaks (6–10" DBH) with minimal canopy area (1,408 sq ft). The proposed planting plan exceeds requirements (42.1% canopy vs. 30% minimum). No public opposition. Approved unanimously (7-0).
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UFC Case UDC-2026-164 (5301 & 5321 White Settlement Road): Applicant requested a reduction from 25% to 11.1% preservation for five significant post oaks (27–36" DBH). The project uses the pre-April 2025 ordinance due to a pre-development conference. Four trees to be removed; one (36" post oak) preserved with special protections. Staff recommended conditional approval requiring removed wood to be donated to local woodworking networks. After extended discussion, the motion to approve failed (5-2) and a motion to deny passed (5-2). The commission expressed concerns about the lack of a final plat and the high value of mature post oaks.
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UDC-2026-128: Administratively withdrawn due to an agenda error (incorrect address number) and revised legal guidance.
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Sign Case UDC-2026-144 (Camp Bowie Boulevard): Applicant (Fifth Third Bank) sought a waiver to install four attached signs (code allows one). Staff recommended allowing two signs: one facing Camp Bowie (by right) and one facing Hilldale Road. The applicant argued limited visibility from Camp Bowie due to trees. The commission approved the staff recommendation with modification (7-0).
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Sign Case UDC-2026-134 (600 West Magnolia Avenue): Applicant requested a wall sign on the side elevation without a public entrance, citing a new tree that blocks the main facade. Staff recommended denial or approval with condition to relocate the sign to the Granger Street facade. The commission approved with the relocation condition (7-0).
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Building Design UDC-2026-140 (2950 West Berry Street): TCU/Endeavor Real Estate proposed a two-story "jewel box" restaurant with an open-air second-story patio. Three waivers needed: occupiable space enclosure, built-to-zone compliance (28% primary, 0% secondary), and corner lot requirements. Staff supported all three, stating the open design activates the street and meets code intent. Chairman Benner recused himself. The commission approved all waivers (6-0).
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Zoning Map Amendment UDC-2026-170 (7979 Trinity Boulevard): Staff requested approval to update regulating plan maps reflecting a recent rezoning (AG to Trinity Lakes) for a 5.8-acre parcel. No public testimony. Approved unanimously (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Approved (7-0): UFC waiver for 7901 Ederville Road (tree preservation reduced to 0%).
- Denied (5-2): UFC waiver for 5301 & 5321 White Settlement Road (preservation reduction to 11.1%) – the underlying motion to approve failed, then a motion to deny passed.
- Approved with modification (7-0): Sign waiver for Camp Bowie Boulevard (allowed two signs instead of four).
- Approved with condition (7-0): Sign for 600 West Magnolia Avenue relocated to Granger Street facade.
- Approved (6-0): Three waivers for the Barry University restaurant building (Chairman Benner recused).
- Approved (7-0): Text amendment updating Trinity Lakes district maps.
- Meeting adjourned; next meeting scheduled for August.
Meeting Transcript
Yes, I hope that's so how does it happen to check out that's what I was wanting to make sure that you're gonna start here in a couple minutes, uh, just in the interim for all the uh citizens in the room. Uh, if you want to sign up to speak, please fill out the paper form and bring it up here to my right and hand it to Laura at the computer. Um, you can fill out the paper form or scan the QR code, either one works. We just ask that you do that before the commission meeting starts and before the case is heard. We're gonna we're gonna get started. The announcements usually take a few minutes, and we got some some announcements today. Uh good morning. Hope everyone had a good July 4th and is surviving the World Cup. Uh welcome to the Urban Design Commission meeting for Thursday, July 16th. The Urban Design Commission requires a quorum of six members to be present and available for voting. The following members are present today. Chairman Benner, Commissioner Carr, Commissioner DeBose, Commissioner Halliday, Commissioner Hughes, Vice Chair Ramsey, and Commissioner Reed. Did I miss anyone? All right. Staff present today are Jefferson Prado Ortiz, Laura Young, Caleb Olson, uh Francisco Vega, Inca Reer, Chris Austria, and uh myself, Joseph Laws. Today's meeting agenda in Docket can be found online at WW.fortworth Texas.gov. Speaker registration forms must have been turned in prior to the start of the meeting. Attendees can sign up to speak by completing the paper form or scanning the QR code outside. Today's public hearing is being documented by a cable television and video conference recording, which will be available on the city's website. Um not to diverge too much, but we are also live streaming right now too. So you really can't cuss now. Um to achieve a timely and orderly meeting, the UDC requests the following rules of procedure be respected. Number one, each case will be called in the sequence listed on the agenda unless otherwise directed by the chair. Number two, all ensuing dialogue shall be directed to the UDC only. Number three, after staff presentation, the applicant and any other proponents will be given a total of seven minutes to speak. Opposition may then speak for seven minutes. Continuation beyond the speaker's allotted time will be subject to the chair's sole discretion and approval. Number four, speakers may come to the podium to my left, the commission's right to present. All other meeting procedures will adhere to the UDC adopted rules of procedure to the extent practicable. And uh number six, following the official close of each case hearing, the UDC will remain an open session to 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. Number seven, a closed executive session may be held with respect to posted agenda items to enable the UDC 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 817-39280. Thank you for your attention and welcome to the Fort Worth Urban Design Commission meeting for July 16th, 2026. Mr. Chair, will you please call this meeting to order? Good morning, everybody. We are called to order. Uh welcome to the July meeting of the UDC. Any announcements this morning. We do. Um we have uh a bunch of announcements. Umbassadors, our interns are not here. They're running a bit late this morning, but our two interns, Jonathan and Diego, this is their last one. That you may see them coming at uh part way through this hearing. Uh the city's ambassador or internship program is only two months. So they show up one meeting and then they're they're gone the next. They grow up very fast. Um we have some staff announcements as well. We wanna welcome uh Nathan Bevel.
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