Council approves road eminent domain, medical-district street vacation and a string of zoning and variance measures

The Fort Worth City Council on April 8 voted to authorize acquisition of property needed for a road-widening project, approved a right-of-way vacation to support Cook Children’s Medical Center, granted an alcohol-distance variance for a restaurant, and approved a series of zoning, site-plan and board-appointment items noted on the agenda.

The actions affect transportation planning on West Bailey Boswell Road; the medical district near Cook Children’s; a restaurant seeking to sell alcohol less than 300 feet from a church; and multiple development and land-use proposals across the city.

The council adopted a resolution authorizing use of the power of eminent domain to acquire a 0.426-acre right-of-way easement from Boaz Holdings LP for the West Bailey Boswell Road Street and Transportation Improvement Project. Council member Matt Hill moved the measure and the council voted to approve the resolution. City staff said the easement is needed “to widen existing undivided roadway to divided 4-lane roadway with dedicated turn lanes” to support vehicle safety. The property is described in the motion as located at 6250 West Bailey Boswell Road and is needed for construction, operation and maintenance of the improved roadway.

Also on Thursday the council approved M&C 25-0293, a request to vacate a portion of West Cannon Street to allow a day-care facility supporting Cook Children’s Medical Center and its staff. Justin Wells of Dunaway Associates spoke to the council in favor of the vacation, saying it would “allow for a new day care facility, indirect support for the medical center and the staff.” Mayor Maddie Parker recused herself from the vote because of employment ties to Cook Children’s; the clerk recorded her abstention and the motion carried.

In a separate hearing staff sought an alcohol distance variance so a restaurant could sell alcohol closer than the usual 300 feet from a nearby church. Beth Knight, senior planner in Development Services, told the council the restaurant sits at 3005 Lackland Avenue and the church is approximately 80 feet away; she said, “the applicant is requesting a variance from the 300-foot requirement.” Council member Jennifer Crane moved approval, the council voted and the variance was granted.

The council also handled a large batch of consent and zoning items with little discussion. Actions recorded on the agenda and approved included board appointment M&C 25-5033 (Dina Ashton, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, partial term through 10/01/2026), and a sequence of M&C and zoning items listed on the meeting docket (motions recorded as carried in the council minutes). Where a case was withdrawn for later consideration, the council noted that as well (M&C 25-0288 was withdrawn at the developer’s request).

Votes at a glance - M&C 25-0308 — Resolution authorizing use of eminent domain to acquire 0.426 acres from Boaz Holdings LP for West Bailey Boswell Road widening project: approved. - M&C 25-0293 — Vacation of portion of West Cannon Street (Cook Children’s Medical Center; day-care support): mayor recused/abstained; motion carried. - M&C 25-0284 — Alcohol distance variance (3005 Lackland Ave): public hearing held; variance approved. - M&C 25-5033 — Board appointment (Dina Ashton) to Park and Recreation Advisory Board: approved. - M&C 25-0288 — Withdrawn at the request of the developer; to be brought back later. - Multiple zoning and site-plan items (ZC/SP/CC items on the April 8 docket): motions recorded as carried for items presented in open session; one zoning request (ZC-25-033) was denied with prejudice as noted on the record.

What council members said and next steps Council members emphasized the safety and operational needs tied to the eminent domain action and the Cook Children’s vacation. Justin Wells (representing Cook Children’s planning team) told the council the street vacation “helps pave the way for their future expansion plans.” Staff said final project design and property closings will follow normal right-of-way acquisition procedures; the eminent-domain resolution authorizes pursuing acquisition if negotiations do not yield a voluntary sale.

The alcohol-distance variance requires a site-specific approval; the council’s vote permits the restaurant to locate alcohol sales closer than the typical 300-foot setback from the neighboring church.

Several items on the consent docket were approved en masse; one item was withdrawn for later consideration by staff and a developer. Additional project-level steps (site plans, building permits, right-of-way plats and any negotiated acquisitions) will follow the council’s approvals.

Ending The council concluded its action items and adjourned after votes on the listed measures. Several approved items will move to implementation steps with city departments and, where applicable, property owners or developers.