Fort Worth Building Standards Commission Meeting - September 28, 2026

The Fort Worth Building Standards Commission met on September 28, 2026, at 9:33 AM to hear cases involving substandard structures and nuisance abatement. The commission considered 14 cases, including new cases, continuances, and amendments. All votes were unanimous (6-0) unless noted. A total of 9 property owners or representatives appeared. The commission also held a work session after adjournment for lunch.

Consent Calendar

• Evidentiary Package: The commission voted 6-0 to accept the evidentiary packet.
• Cases Withdrawn: Four cases were withdrawn without objection: HS 26108 (904 East Jefferson Ave), HS 26112 (1249 Colvin Ave), ACP 26107 (5037 Sandage Ave), and HS 2692 (3028 South Jones St).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Phipps (West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association): Testified on conditions at 2929 Mount Vernon Ave (HS 26119) and 2220 Hudson St (ACP 26108), reporting long-standing problems, vagrant activity, and lack of owner response. Requested action on both properties.
• Cassandra Strange (ex-wife of owner John Baxter): Requested 60-90 days for repairs at 4220 Frasier Ave (HS 26109), citing the owner's age (72) and limited resources.
• John Baxter (owner): Asked for 30 days to repair fire-damaged structures.
• Vicky Moore (daughter of John Baxter): Supported a 60-day timeline.
• Luis Rodriguez (co-owner): Requested a continuance to sell property (granted 5-1).
• John Graff (owner): Explained repairs were nearly complete and asked for communication improvements with code officers.
• Michael Gregory (attorney for heir): Represented estate of deceased owner for 3300 E Rosedale St (HS 26114 and ACP 26105), requested removal from future notices.
• Chad Leatherwood (owner): Described mental health struggles and plans to repair boat dock at Lake Worth; requested 90 days (not enough, but commission agreed with amendment process).
• Stephen Rivers (owner of Meadowbrook Place LLC): Presented work plan for commercial remodeling; requested 150 days (received 90 days with possibility of amendment).
• Donald Reed (owner): Provided photos showing cleanup at 4517 Erath St; city recommended zero civil penalty.
• Monsieur Fretwell (owner, retired teacher): Asked for 90-day extension and removal of $4,400 penalty due to low income and health issues; granted.
• Priscilla Downs (owner): Requested 60-day extension and penalty removal for 5521 Fletcher Ave; unopposed by city.
• Maria Hernandez (wife of owner): For 3202 Prospect Ave; city unopposed to 30-day extension and penalty removal.

Discussion Items

• HS 2696 (1005 NW 20th St): Owner requested continuance to close sale; commission granted continuance to October 26, 2026, by a 5-1 vote.
• HS 26110 (5713 S Hampshire Blvd – accessory structure): City described collapse hazard; owner John Graff stated repairs imminent. Commission declared substandard and hazardous, ordered repair/demolish in 30 days.
• HS 26109 (4220 Frasier Ave – primary and 2 accessory): Severe fire damage; owner John Baxter (age 72) claimed progress but no contractor. Commission declared substandard and hazardous, gave 45 days to repair/demolish.
• HS 26113 (2607 NW 22nd St – primary only): Foundation and structural issues; owner Luis Dominguez requested 90 days for financial reasons. Commission gave 60 days to repair/demolish.
• HS 26114 (3300 E Rosedale St – primary): Owner deceased; attorney Michael Gregory appeared. Commission declared substandard and hazardous, ordered 30 days to repair/demolish.
• ACP 26105 (3300 E Rosedale St – abatement): Same property; city recommended zero civil penalty. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, no penalty.
• HS 26116 (8604 Heron Dr – accessory dock): Owner Chad Leatherwood shared mental health struggles and community ties. Commission declared substandard, gave 90 days to repair/demolish.
• HS 26119 (2929 Mount Vernon Ave – primary + 2 accessory): Long-standing issues, owner unresponsive. Commission declared substandard, ordered 30 days to repair/demolish.
• HS 26111 (3626 Meadowbrook Dr – commercial primary): Owner had active permit but structure in poor condition. Commission declared substandard, gave 90 days based on work plan.
• ACP 26104 (4517 Erath St – abatement): Owner cleaned property; city recommended zero penalty. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, no penalty.
• ACP 26108 (2220 Hudson St – abatement): No owner present; property used by vagrants. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days and assessed $4,400 civil penalty ($100/day for 44 days).
• ACP 2661 (1020 E Bowie St – amendment): Owner Monsieur Fretwell requested extension and penalty removal; initial continuance motion failed (4-2). Commission later granted 90-day extension and removed $4,400 penalty.
• ACP 2665 (5521 Fletcher Ave – amendment): City unopposed. Commission removed civil penalty and granted 60-day extension.
• ACP 2668 (7224 Whitewood Dr – amendment): Property already compliant. Commission removed civil penalty.
• ACP 2669 (3202 Prospect Ave – amendment): City unopposed. Commission removed civil penalty and granted 30-day extension.
• HS 26115 (5900 Bunnell Ave – primary): No owner present. Commission declared substandard, ordered 30 days to repair/demolish.
• HS 26117 (5733 Farnsworth Ave – primary): No owner present. Commission declared substandard, ordered 30 days to repair/demolish.
• HS 26118 (4824 Level Ave – primary & accessory): Continuance request unopposed; continued to December 7, 2026.
• ACP 2685 (4454 Wilhelm St – abatement): No owner present; owner reported to have “better stuff to do.” Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, assessed $4,400 penalty.
• ACP 26100 (120 Blevent St – abatement): Owner deceased; no progress. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, no penalty.
• ACP 26101 (3724 Kimbo Rd – abatement): Heir uncooperative. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, assessed $4,400 penalty.
• ACP 26102 (4024 Shag Bark St – abatement): Elderly owner texted emergency. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, assessed $4,400 penalty.
• ACP 26106 (1324 E Baltimore Ave – abatement): Owner deceased; some progress. Commission ordered abatement in 30 days, no penalty.

Key Outcomes

• All new case structures (HS 26110, 26109, 26113, 26114, 26116, 26119, 26111, 26115, 26117) were declared substandard and hazardous. Owners were given timeframes (30, 45, 60, or 90 days) to repair or demolish, with authorization for city demolition and lien if not complied.
• Continuances granted: HS 2696 (to Oct 26), HS 26118 (to Dec 7).
• Continuance denied: HS 26110 (owner present).
• Civil penalties assessed: ACP 26108 ($4,400), ACP 2685 ($4,400), ACP 26101 ($4,400), ACP 26102 ($4,400).
• No civil penalties: ACP 26105, ACP 26104, ACP 26100, ACP 26106.
• Amendments (penalties removed, extensions granted): ACP 2661 (90 days), ACP 2665 (60 days), ACP 2668 (penalty removed), ACP 2669 (30 days).
• All motions passed 6-0 except the continuance for HS 2696 (5-1).
• Commission adjourned at approximately 1:30 PM for lunch, with no remaining cases.

Important Notes

• All property owners and interested parties were reminded of their right to request an amendment within the order period and to appeal to Tarrant County District Court within 30 days.
• The commission emphasized that 90 days is the maximum extension without a detailed work plan; further extensions are possible through formal amendments.