Fort Worth Board of Adjustment Meeting Summary - October 21, 2026

The Fort Worth Board of Adjustment convened on October 21, 2026, with Chair Deborah Freed presiding. Eleven members were present to hear an extensive agenda of variance and special exception requests for residential and commercial properties. The meeting ran for several hours, featuring detailed discussions on property hardships, neighborhood impact, and procedural rules.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes from the September 2026 meeting.
• Routine continuances were granted for BAR26-099, BAR26-069, and BAR26-071 (the latter being continued to December 2026).
• The withdrawal of BAR26-090 was accepted by the board, serving as a denial with prejudice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Martin (BAR26-097): Strongly opposed the proposed 20-foot fence and netting at 869 Brandon Dunes Drive in the Southern Oaks community, arguing it was an eyesore and obstructed the golf course view. He stated the developer controlled the HOA and that all neighbors opposed the structure.
• Spencer Elliott (BAR26-093): Made an emotional presentation for his property at 7116 Mantle Ridge Drive, explaining that the unpermitted construction of a pool cabana resulted from being defrauded by a contractor while he was recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident that killed his wife. He expressed a desire to complete the project for his children and pledged to work toward compliance.

Discussion Items

• BAR26-084 (Little Fox Lane): Approved 10-2. A variance to allow a carport into the side yard setback was granted based on lot constraints and design modifications to address runoff.
• BAC26-033, BAC26-025, BAC26-024 (ECC Signs): Approved 11-0. Three gas stations received special exceptions for monument signs with electronic changeable copy. Board members discussed visibility and residential proximity but approved the requests.
• BAC26-035 (Texas Ballet Theater): Approved 11-0. A variance to exceed the maximum sign area was granted, allowing banners on a large blank wall to deter graffiti.
• BAC26-034 (White Settlement Blvd): Approved 10-1. A variance to place a dumpster enclosure in front of the primary building was approved due to the lot's three street frontages.
• BAR26-092 (Diaz Ave): Denied. The record shows a discrepancy: the roll call vote indicated 8-3 in favor, but the chair declared the motion failed. The variance for a carport in the front yard was therefore not granted.
• BAR26-098 (Fairfield Ave): Approved 10-1. A side yard variance for a carport was granted, citing the property's narrow configuration as a hardship.
• BAR26-091 (Bel Air Drive North): Approved 11-0. Two variances for reduced setbacks on a corner lot for a new home construction were approved after neighborhood opposition was rescinded.
• BAR26-096 (Littlewater Drive): Approved with modification. The board approved a solid fence via special exception 11-0. Initial approval of an 8-foot variance failed, but a motion to reconsider passed, and the board subsequently approved an adjusted 6-foot variance 11-0.
• BAR26-095 (Heartland Drive): Approved 9-2. A variance to exceed the maximum cumulative square footage for a shed and gazebo was granted.
• BAR26-097 (Brandon Dunes Drive): Denied. Both variances for a 20-foot fence and netting structure were soundly defeated (Variance A: 0-11, Variance B: 1-10) following strong neighborhood opposition.
• BAR26-093 (Mantle Ridge Drive): Continued 60 days. A complex case involving a 17-foot-9-inch pool cabana, retaining wall, and fence. The board discussed compromises but could not reach consensus, voting 11-0 to continue the case to allow the applicant to modify his plans.

Key Outcomes

• BAR26-084: Approved (10-2).
• BAC26-033, 025, 024: Approved (11-0 each).
• BAC26-035: Approved (11-0).
• BAC26-034: Approved (10-1).
• BAR26-092: Motion declared failed by chair.
• BAR26-098: Approved (10-1).
• BAR26-091: Approved (11-0).
• BAR26-097: Denied (A: 0-11, B: 1-10).
• BAR26-096: Special Exception A approved (11-0). Variance B (8ft) failed, reconsidered and approved at 6ft (11-0).
• BAR26-095: Approved (9-2).
• BAR26-093: Continued 60 days.
• BAR26-099, 069, 071: Continued.