Fort Worth Board of Adjustment Meeting

Date: October 22, 2026 (Note: the transcript references October 21st, but per the date provided for this summary, the meeting is treated as October 22, 2026.)

The Fort Worth Board of Adjustment convened on the morning of October 22, 2026, with a quorum of 11 members present. The meeting opened with the election of a temporary chair, Deborah Freed, as both the chair and vice-chair were absent. The board approved minutes from September 2026 (member McDonnell abstained as he was not on the board at that time), postponed elections for vice-chair, and reordered the agenda to place known continuances and withdrawals at the end. The meeting included a lunch break and concluded after handling 17 agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• BAR-26-084 (421 Little Fox Lane): Approved a variance to allow a non-habitable carport to encroach 1 foot into the required 5-foot side yard setback (9-2 vote, with Johnston and Riley opposing).
• BAC-26-033 (1300 East Long Ave): Approved a special exception for a monument sign with electronic changeable copy (ECC) at a gas station. Unanimous.
• BAC-26-025 (310 Las Vegas Trail): Approved a special exception for an ECC monument sign at a convenience store/gas station. Unanimous.
• BAC-26-035 (1540 Miles Ave – Texas Ballet Theater): Approved a variance to allow three attached signs totaling 582 sq ft, exceeding the maximum 357 sq ft allowed by facade length. Unanimous.
• BAC-26-034 (9816 White Settlement Blvd): Approved a variance to place a dumpster enclosure in front of the primary building wall due to three street frontages and easements. Vote: 10-1 (Herrera opposed).
• BAR-26-098 (29 Fairfield Ave): Approved a variance to allow a carport within 8.4 inches of the northern property line (side yard setback). Unanimous.
• BAR-26-095 (8704 Heartland Dr): Approved a variance to allow a storage shed and gazebo totaling 364.44 sq ft, exceeding the 200 sq ft limit. Vote: 9-2 (King and Herrera opposed? Actually record shows Powell No, Herrera No – needs check: final vote count: Whitten Yes, Garza Yes, Johnston Yes, McDonnell Yes, King Yes, Powell No, Herrera No, Costa Yes, Freed Yes, Wilson Yes, Gutierrez Yes = 9-2).
• BAC-26-024 (7401 John T. White Road): Approved a special exception for an ECC monument sign at a gas station. Unanimous. (This case was tabled earlier when the applicant was absent, then later heard and approved.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• BAR-26-097 (Golf course barrier netting): The applicant’s representative argued the 20-foot height was needed to protect the house from golf balls on two fairways; the opposing neighbor (David Martin, 833 Thomas Crossing) testified the netting would be an eyesore and stated the HOA had not properly considered the matter, as the developer (Thomas Crossing LLC) still holds undeveloped lots and thus controls HOA votes. The board also received late correspondence opposing the netting.
• BAR-26-093 (7116 Mantle Ridge): The applicant, Spencer Elliott, testified about his wife’s death in a drunk driving accident and his subsequent medical recovery, explaining that an unscrupulous contractor built the pool and cabana without permits. He expressed willingness to compromise. Three letters of support and seven of opposition were submitted. Nearby neighbor concerns focused on loss of view and the structure being an eyesore.

Discussion Items

• BAR-26-092 (4312 Diaz Ave – Carport in front yard): The applicant requested a special exception to allow an existing carport in the front yard. Board discussion centered on whether the hardship was self-imposed (alley access existed but was not improved). The applicant noted similar carports in the neighborhood. The motion to approve failed (5-6), with the final vote count appearing to be 5 in favor and 6 opposed; the motion failed.
• BAR-26-091 (360 Bel Air Dr N – Two variances for setback): The applicant (Carl Honfeld, HGC Residential Development) and property owner (Brianna Downs) presented plans for a new home and garage on a corner lot. They sought a 2-foot projected front yard setback for the garage (instead of 17'1") and a 40-foot front yard setback (instead of 48'1"). Opposition letters had been received, but several neighbors later withdrew objections. The board approved both variances separately (unanimous on each).
• BAR-26-096 (14725 Littlewater Dr – Fence in projected front yard): The applicant Frank Tuttle sought a special exception for a solid fence and a variance to permit an 8-foot height. The existing fence (built by the developer) was in an illegal location but had been damaged by wind. After extensive discussion, the board first approved the special exception for a solid fence (up to 4 feet) tied to a specific site plan line (yellow line). Then a motion to allow 8 feet (variance B) initially failed (5-6), but the board voted to reconsider and approved a modified variance allowing a 6-foot fence along the same yellow line (unanimous).
• BAR-26-093 (7116 Mantle Ridge – Multiple variances): This complex case involved a special exception and four variances for a six-foot solid wood fence, a pool cabana exceeding height (17'9" vs. 10' max), size (529 sq ft vs. 400 sq ft max), and setback (8'1" vs. 35' required). The board discussed compromises, including reducing the roof pitch, moving the fence, and trimming the cabana. After lengthy deliberation, the board voted unanimously to continue the case for 60 days to allow the applicant to work with staff and develop a plan that could gain nine votes.

Key Outcomes

• Votes tally: Of the 13 cases decided (not counting continuances and withdrawals), 11 were approved, 1 was denied (BAR-26-092), and 1 was continued (BAR-26-093). All votes had at least nine affirmative votes except the denials and the continued case.
• Continuances: BAR-26-099 (Edney) continued to November 2026; BAR-26-071 (Birch Hill Rd) continued to December 2026; BAR-26-069 continued to November 2026; BAR-26-093 continued to December 2026.
• Withdrawal: BAR-26-090 was withdrawn with prejudice by the applicant; board accepted the withdrawal unanimously.
• Next steps: Applicants whose cases were denied were advised to contact staff about appeals; those with continuances were urged to refine proposals in consultation with city staff.

Note: The transcript repeatedly states that the meeting took place on October 21st, but the date provided for this summary is October 22, 2026. This summary reflects the official date as directed.