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 — approved. Staff noted applicants may revise designs and return; for b the denial without prejudice preserves applicant options to come back with a revised plan.

- BAR‑25‑006 (1713 Grand Ave): Approved a variance to permit a detached carport at the side property line where a 5‑foot side setback is required. Applicant Federico Gonzales (represented by Otila Saenz Bode) said the structure was placed to align with a long driveway and neighboring features; staff and commissioners discussed roof slope and drainage. The board approved the variance with binding stipulations that the front elevation not exceed 12 feet, that the front of the structure be no more than 12 feet above grade at the front, and that gutters or other water‑deflection devices be installed to limit runoff impacts on neighbors.

- BAR‑25‑014 (5417 Byers Ave): The board considered a request for a front‑yard solid wall and a separate request to allow the wall to exceed 4 feet. After discussion of neighboring existing walls and grade differences between the yard and the street, commissioners initially took differing positions. Following a motion to reconsider, the board approved the special‑exception request to allow a solid front‑yard wall (the special exception) but the separate variance to raise the wall to 6 feet failed for lack of the votes required; staff noted a previously built neighboring wood wall did not show permits in the record.

- BAR‑25‑015 (1201 Bell Place): Applicant requested a carport in the projected front yard of a corner lot. The owner indicated the carport would be architecturally compatible and tied to the garage. Given the narrow margin in the current quorum and at the applicant’s request, the board continued the case 30 days to allow consideration with a fuller board.

- BAR‑25‑016 (3556 Hedrick St): Staff confirmed an existing unpermitted metal carport was in place; applicant Jody Robnett presented neighborhood support. The applicant asked for a continuance and the board granted a continuance to the April meeting at the applicant’s request.

- BAR‑25‑017 (3201 Merida Ave): Approved a variance to permit a remodel/addition that encroaches into the required side‑street setback. Applicant Ravenwood Construction explained the original 1941 structure required extensive repair and partial reconstruction; the board concluded the rebuilt footprint should be allowed to remain in its historic location.

- BAR‑25‑008 (2350 Evans Ave): Approved three variances for a build on a legal nonconforming wedge‑shaped corner lot: (1) reduced projected front yard setback, (2) one parking space behind the front wall instead of two and (3) parking within the projected front yard. Staff described the property’s unusual plat history (lots reconfigured in 1926) and the board approved the request, finding the lot’s configuration constrains conventional compliance.

- BAR‑25‑010 (510 Paradise St): Approved a variance to permit construction on a lot with 47.5 feet of width at the building line (50‑foot minimum). The applicant noted the lot is bounded on both sides by newer homes and that platting and permitting steps must follow approval; staff confirmed the applicant has time to plat and then pull permits.

- BAR‑25‑012 (108 Westview): Approved a variance to allow a detached accessory structure taller than the standard accessory maximum where the applicant proposed a 14‑foot structure to match existing eaves and roof pitch; staff and the applicant explained the lot elevations and landscape screening limit visibility and impacts.

What the board emphasized during debate

- Practical constraints on older lots: Several applicants pointed out existing foundations, converted garages, lack of alleys, long driveways or historic plat lines that predate modern minimums. Commissioners repeatedly noted the board’s role is to judge whether the property’s physical circumstances justify relief from a specific code requirement.

- Drainage and safety: When accessory roofs or carports are proposed, commissioners and staff asked about roof slope, guttering, fire‑rating where a zero lot line is proposed, and potential runoff into neighboring yards. Where concerns arose, approvals included binding conditions.

- Allowing applicants to revise: For a multi‑part request the board often voted each element separately so an applicant could return with modifications; in one multi‑part case the board denied the total parking variance “without prejudice” so the owner can redesign and refile.

Next steps and how to follow up

- Staff advised applicants to contact the Development Services Department (board of adjustment staff) at (817) 392‑8026 for filing, platting and permitting questions and for instructions about conditions attached to approvals.

- Several applicants were told to return to staff with revised plans; where continuances were requested by applicants the items will be placed on the April agenda.

Speakers and roles cited in this report

- Joey Dixon, Chair, Board of Adjustment (presided) - Ashley Tolliver, Development Services staff (presented multiple cases) - Scott Billen, Development Services staff (presented / assisted) - Chad Reisner, applicant/agent (5473 Santa Marie) - Federico (Federico/Frederico) Gonzales, applicant (1713 Grand Ave) - Otila Saenz Bode, representative for Gonzales - Jason Binser (Benzer/Bizner in record), applicant (5417 Byers Ave) - Richard Soukup, homeowner/applicant (1201 Bell Place) - Jody Robnett, applicant (3556 Hedrick St) - Felix Wong, applicant (510 Paradise St) - Tim C. (Ravenwood Construction), applicant representative (3201 Merida Ave) - Beau Davis, applicant (108 Westview) - Nathan Dean, representative for 108 Westview applicants - Kevin Temperaj (VAR approved at 909 Barlawn Ave) - Board members who participated in roll calls included Adrianne Holland, Sergio Garza, Kenneth Jones, Deborah Brown Stearns, Myra Mills, Deborah Freed, Jennifer Glass Renta, Jenna Herrera, Joy/Joey Dixon (chair). (Roll‑call participation is recorded in the official minutes and the city video archive.)

Ending: The meeting concluded after the board heard the agenda items listed above; several applicants were instructed to work with staff to finalize plan details and to return where required by conditions or for continuances. The city will post the recording and the official minutes to the Fort Worth Development Services website.

If you need the full roll‑call vote list on any single case, staff keeps the certified roll‑call record and the meeting video; contact the board office for the official tally and to request copies of any conditions attached to an approval.