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Owners and customers of Farangue Villa urge Hurst City Council for emergency meeting after multiple inspections and a forced closure
Summary
Owners, family members and supporters of Farangue Villa told the council they experienced repeated inspections during a wedding week, alleged improper entry and long delays in the city’s records responses, and requested an emergency council meeting; the council did not take action during the meeting.
Multiple speakers during the public‑comment period alleged that city inspectors entered and closed Farangue Villa — a private wedding venue — multiple times the week of a scheduled wedding, and asked the Hurst City Council for accountability and an emergency meeting.
Lauren Fereng (identified as a business owner) said the city inspected and closed her venue several times in the week before her wedding, disrupted event setup and caused personal and financial stress. “That week, the city visited Ferengue Villa 4 times in 3 days,” she said, describing lost setup time and emotional distress.
Keanu Stodd, who identified himself as an international code professional and a certified permit technician, said four inspections took place and that, after professionals attended and documentation was provided, nine of 11 cited violations still showed as open in the city portal. Stodd said open‑records requests filed with the city had not been answered within expected time frames.
Rita White, speaking as a property owner and mother of the bride, said inspectors entered during the ceremony without contacting her and that the city had not pulled prior permits before issuing citations. “They never pulled past permits. I’m cited on things that the city should have known,” White said.
Frank LaBarbera argued the inspections and closure amounted to an unlawful seizure and asked council members for accountability. Speakers requested an emergency council meeting; they said they had received another letter from the city attorney directing them to vacate the building.
Council members and staff did not indicate a policy response or emergency meeting agenda item during the meeting excerpt; speakers were told by council to submit materials through the appropriate channels and that by state law the council cannot privately respond during the public‑comment period.
