Fort Worth Building Standards Commission Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Fort Worth Building Standards Commission convened on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. to hear cases concerning substandard and hazardous structures, nuisance abatement, and civil penalties. The meeting included the approval of minutes and evidentiary packet, withdrawal of several cases, and hearings on new cases, amendments, and civil penalty assessments. Commission members present included David Castles, Jonathan Leiden, Mohan JiWale, Janet Lane, Brian Black, Melandi Dottie, Al Lou, and Stephanie Dyke (joining later). Several members were absent. The meeting recessed for lunch around noon and resumed at approximately 1:09 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Motion to accept minutes from the previous meeting carried 7-0.
• Evidentiary Packet: Motion to accept the evidentiary packet carried 7-0.
• Case Withdrawals: Six cases (HS 2684, HS 2689, HS 2690, ACP 2681, ACP 2684, ACP 2687) were withdrawn by motion that carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case HS 2645 (3201 East Lancaster Avenue): Neighborhood residents Mike Phipps, Juan Fan, Daniel Haas, and Carol Peters testified in opposition to an extension, citing decades of crime, drug use, and blight. They expressed frustration with owner Shital Patel’s history and lack of communication.
• Case HS 2649 (3800 Wren Avenue): Neighbor Sherry Wood testified in opposition to an extension, arguing that only cosmetic work had been done, structural hazards remained, and the property was being occupied despite being declared an imminent danger.
• Case HS 2664 (6301 Woodway Drive): No public testimony submitted.
• Case ACP 2678 (5317 Trentman Street): Owner Alfonso Rodarte, through a translator, stated he had made some progress but requested 90 days due to health issues and weather.
• Case ACP 2682/2683 (4013 Wall Street): Owner Julie White stated the property is under contract to sell and she had no plans to clean it herself, requesting 60 days in case the sale falls through.

Discussion Items

• HS 2645 (3201 East Lancaster Avenue) – Amendment: Owner Shital Patel requested 60 additional days to complete repairs, presenting a slideshow of extensive cosmetic work on five of six buildings. City staff (Officer Lynn Wisnant) testified that no structural repairs had been made, that active permits were limited to minor work, and that two units remained occupied. The owner’s engineering reports (dated July 14) were limited to visual observations after cosmetic coverings were in place. The City opposed the amendment. The commission denied the amendment by a vote of 6-1.
• HS 2681 (5104 Norma Street): Owner David Bayer, who recently learned of the property’s condition, requested 90 days to repair. The city requested 30 days. The commission declared the structure substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 60 days (8-0).
• HS 2685 (1655 Robinwood Drive): Owner representative Matt McDaniel requested 90 days for renovation. The city requested 30 days. The commission declared the structure substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 60 days (8-0).
• HS 2688 (3309 Merrick Street) – Accessory structure: Owner Trident Realty was not present; lienholder representative was absent. The city presented evidence of severe deterioration. After testimony from interested party Jeffrey Treadwell (neighbor), the commission declared the structure substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 30 days (8-0).
• HS 2692 (3028 South Jones Street): The owner, Devlin Pacheco, was deceased. Attorney Daniel Paz requested a continuance to allow sale of the property through probate. The commission denied the continuance (8-0) and heard the case. Lienholder Rita Pacheco testified the property had been vacant for years and plagued by trespassers. The commission declared the structure substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 30 days (8-0).
• HS 2686 & HS 2687 (2008 & 2012 Mitchell Boulevard): Owner Marcia Udo requested 90 days to continue repairs under an approved permit, presenting a detailed plan, contractor estimate ($23,000), and phased schedule. She stated she had $30,000 in funds. City staff requested 30 days, noting the property had been in violation since March 2026. The commission declared both structures substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 90 days (8-0 on each).
• HS 2664 (6301 Woodway Drive) – Amendment: Receiver James Davis (Plano, TX), appointed by the 48th District Court, requested 90 days to secure the property and assess options. City staff reported no measurable progress since the May order, multiple fires, and that the property remained an attractive nuisance. The commission denied the amendment by a vote of 6-0.
• ACP 2678 (5317 Trentman Street) – Civil Penalty: City requested a $4,400 penalty (44 days at $100/day) and 30 days to abate the nuisance. Owner Alfonso Rodarte requested 90 days. The commission ordered abatement within 90 days and assessed a civil penalty of $75 per day for 44 days ($3,300) (6-0).
• ACP 2682/2683 (4013 Wall Street) – Civil Penalty: City requested $0 penalty and 30 days to abate. Owner Julie White requested 60 days. The commission ordered abatement within 30 days and assessed no civil penalty (6-0). The second case (ACP 2683) was handled identically.
• ACP 2686 (722 West Boyce Avenue): New owner (NRHQ LLC) requested a continuance to the August meeting. The commission granted the continuance (6-0).
• HS 2649 (3800 Wren Avenue) – Amendment: Owner Barry Waddell requested 60 days to continue repairs, stating the house had been vacant and vandalized while he was incarcerated. He presented photos of progress. The city was unopposed to a 60-day extension. After neighbor testimony, the commission granted the 60-day amendment (6-0).
• HS 2661 (1617 Clinton Avenue): Representative Joseph Yamine requested a continuance because the owner was hospitalized. The commission continued the case to August 24, 2026 (6-0).
• ACP 2640 (5912 Walraven Circle) – Amendment: Owner Catherine Martinez presented evidence (photos and drone video) that she had cleaned up the property, spending over $6,000. The city was unopposed. The commission removed the civil penalty entirely (6-0).
• HS 2682 (120 Blevon Street): No owner appeared. City presented evidence of severely deteriorated primary and accessory structures with unauthorized occupants. The commission declared both structures substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 30 days (6-0).
• ACP 2688 (3631 Avenue N) – Civil Penalty: City requested $8,800 penalty (44 days at $200/day) and 30 days to abate. Owner’s husband Jeremy Lavender stated he had removed about 70% of debris and requested to keep building materials. The commission ordered abatement within 30 days and assessed a reduced civil penalty of $50 per day for 44 days ($2,200) (6-0).
• HS 2691 (3313 Todd Avenue): No owner appeared. City presented evidence of long-standing deterioration of primary and accessory structures. The commission declared both substandard and hazardous and ordered repair/demolition within 30 days (6-0).
• ACP 2689 (2929 Mount Vernon Avenue): No owner appeared. City requested $13,200 penalty (44 days at $300/day) and 30 days to abate. The property had been cleaned by the city twice before. The commission ordered abatement within 30 days and assessed the full civil penalty of $13,200 (6-0).
• HS 2613 (1301 Cloverdale Drive) – Amendment: No owner appeared. The commission denied the amendment request (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Declarations of Substandard and Hazardous: All new cases (HS 2681, HS 2685, HS 2688, HS 2692, HS 2686, HS 2687, HS 2682, HS 2691) were unanimously declared substandard and hazardous.
• Repair/Demolition Orders:
  • 30 days: HS 2688, HS 2692, HS 2682, HS 2691, HS 2685 (given 60 days instead of city’s 30), HS 2681 (60 days), HS 2686/2687 (90 days).
  • 60 days: HS 2681, HS 2685 (both after owners requested 90).
  • 90 days: HS 2686/2687 (owner’s request granted).
• Amendment Decisions:
  • HS 2645 (3201 East Lancaster): Denied (6-1).
  • HS 2664 (6301 Woodway): Denied (6-0).
  • HS 2649 (3800 Wren): Granted 60 days (6-0).
  • ACP 2640 (5912 Walraven): Granted – civil penalty removed (6-0).
  • HS 2613 (1301 Cloverdale): Denied (6-0) due to owner not appearing.
  • ACP 2686 (722 West Boyce): Continued to August 24, 2026 (6-0).
  • HS 2661 (1617 Clinton): Continued to August 24, 2026 (6-0).
• Civil Penalties:
  • ACP 2678: $75/day for 44 days = $3,300 (reduced from city request of $4,400).
  • ACP 2682/2683: $0 penalty.
  • ACP 2688: $50/day for 44 days = $2,200 (reduced from $8,800).
  • ACP 2689: $300/day for 44 days = $13,200 (city request granted).
  • ACP 2640: Penalty removed.
• Nuisance Abatement Orders: All civil penalty cases included orders to abate within 30 days (except ACP 2678 given 90 days). Failure to comply authorizes city entry, abatement, and lien on the property.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned by motion (6-0) after the last case.