Board of Adjustment approves several variances, splits votes on parking and front‑yard wall requests

The Fort Worth Board of Adjustment met March 19, 2025, and considered petitions for variances and special exceptions affecting single‑family lots across the city. Chair Joey Dixon opened the meeting and staff from the Development Services Department presented each case and answered commissioners’ questions.

Many of the cases centered on older lots that predate current zoning, narrow or shallow parcels, and accessory structures placed without permits. After staff presentations and testimony from applicants or their representatives, the board took action on a number of items (summaries below). Several cases were continued at applicants’ requests to a future hearing.

Why it matters: These routine‑appearing lot and accessory‑structure decisions determine whether existing or planned work on individual Fort Worth homes can move forward without full compliance with current zoning standards. Approvals can allow property owners to keep or finish projects; denials or “without prejudice” outcomes permit applicants to revise plans and return.

Key outcomes (votes, motions and next steps)

- Minutes: The board approved minutes for prior hearings (January and February 2025) by roll call.

- BAR‑25‑011 (909 Barlawn Ave): Approved a variance to build a single‑family home on a lot smaller than the A5‑1 minimum lot area. Applicant: Kevin Temperaj. Staff explained the lot was platted before current zoning and an earlier BOA approval had lapsed; the applicant said COVID delayed permits. The motion to approve passed and staff will follow up on permit steps.

- BAR‑25‑004 (5473 Santa Marie): The board considered three related parking/ setback requests from Chad Reisner on behalf of the property owner. After extended discussion about driveway width, historic development patterns in the neighborhood and whether two tandem spaces were feasible, the commissioners voted separately on each requested exception: variance (a) fewer parking spaces behind the front wall — approved; variance (b) fewer total on‑site parking spaces — denied without prejudice after a motion to reconsider and a substitute motion; variance (c) allow an existing detached accessory shed to remain within the side setback —…