Benbrook P&Z recommends rezoning 17-acre La Cantera tract to B single-family district

The Benbrook Planning and Zoning Commission voted Thursday to recommend the City Council approve a rezoning request for a 17-acre tract in the La Cantera subdivision, changing most of the property from SD to B zoning, contingent on verification of ownership and revision of the legal description.

City planning staff told the commission the rezoning request generally matches the city's comprehensive plan and the zoning of neighboring parcels, but recommended approval be conditioned on resolving an ownership discrepancy shown on tax-authority maps. "The staff is recommending approval," a city planning staff member said, asking that the applicant provide either written documentation from the other owner or a revised survey and legal description before the item goes to council.

Travis Clegg of Westwood Professional Services, representing the James family, described the request as an effort to make the entire parcel consistent with surrounding B (single-family) zoning. "My client wishes to change the current zoning of his property, which is currently zone SD and B ... to just B on the entire property," Clegg said, noting the owner has held the land for about 25 years.

Property owner Grant James, who lives at 8600 Team Ranch Road, spoke in favor and told the commission he does not plan to introduce high-density development. "I indicated a much higher density use of that property, which is my intention," James said, and added he expects to sell a single-family lot on the east side and may record deed restrictions to keep density low.

Neighbor Philip Clendworth of 8225 Meadowside Drive spoke in support, saying he has no complaints and praised James as an "outstanding neighbor" during the 28 years he has lived in La Cantera.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify a small portion of the property that appears on tax-authority (TAD) mapping to be owned by Encore. Staff said the parcel ownership shown on TAD maps is not authoritative for deed ownership and that the applicant must provide verification. Staff also noted constraints on future development, including a Mary's Creek floodplain swath and a Fort Worth sewer line crossing the rear of the property.

Commissioner questions included whether a change from SD to B would conflict with the comprehensive plan's land-use designations. Staff replied that the plan designates the area for low-density residential use and that the proposed B zoning is consistent with that designation; the plan asks for buffering where single-family and multifamily zones meet.

The commission approved a motion to recommend that the City Council approve Rezoning Request Z-25-05, contingent on verification of property ownership and revision of the legal description and zoning exhibit as necessary to exclude land not owned by the applicant. The motion was moved by Commissioner Wallace, seconded by Commissioner Craver, and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes for the May 8, 2025 regular meeting: Motion by Commissioner Rodriguez; second by Commissioner Wallace; motion carries (vote tally not specified in the record). - Rezoning recommendation (Rezoning Request Z-25-05, La Cantera, 17 acres): Motion to recommend approval contingent on verification of ownership and revision of legal description/zoning exhibit. Mover: Commissioner Wallace. Second: Commissioner Craver. Outcome: recommended to City Council (motion carries). Note: Final approval is reserved for City Council; staff indicated the item is likely to appear on the council agenda on July 17, 2025.

The commission closed the public hearing after no speakers opposed the request. The item will return to the City Council for final action; staff said property ownership verification and any necessary legal-description revisions must be completed before that meeting.