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Fort Worth Board of Adjustment approves several variances, continues and denies others after long public session
Summary
The Board of Adjustment on Jan. 21 approved a range of variances and continued or denied several contested requests after hours of testimony, including approvals for a garage expansion, a church addition and a controversial Mistletoe Drive setback request. Multiple large or sensitive items were continued for design revisions.
The Fort Worth Board of Adjustment convened Jan. 21 for an all‑day session that produced a mix of approvals, continuances and denials across dozens of zoning cases.
Key votes included approval of a 0‑foot side‑yard variance for a garage expansion at 2525 Stadium Drive (BAR‑25‑122); the board voted to continue several complex commercial and sign cases for redesign or additional review; and the body denied a second detached‑garage request on a sub‑half‑acre lot (BAR‑25‑125).
At the meeting, staff summarized each case and members of the public offered lengthy support and opposition. For example, in BAR‑25‑122 the applicant, Tom Bates, told the board the homeowners need a wider garage because “this street does not allow parking from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.” Bates said rebuilding rather than expanding would cost “at least $35,000 to $45,000 more,” and the board approved the requested variance after finding no demonstrated harm to neighboring properties.
The board also acted on several redevelopment matters. The body continued BAR‑25‑111 (2700 Marlin St.) and BAC‑25‑067 (a disputed on‑premise sign) to allow applicants to work with staff on plats or redesigns. The board approved BAC‑25‑065 (accessory structure variances) and BAC‑25‑066 (fence/material variances limited to the requests A and C after staff withdrew B). Several cases were continued so applicants could supply revised drawings or work with city reviewers.
Several high‑profile or technically complex items were singled out for additional review. A request from telecom firm SBA to site a stealth telecommunications tower at Arlington Heights High School drew the most contentious public response; the board approved three special exceptions and a shrub‑screening variance but did not approve the requested 130‑foot height and continued that height question to March 18 so the applicant can work with staff.
Other votes: the board denied BAR‑25‑125 (a second detached garage on a lot smaller than a half‑acre) on roll call after neighbors and several members questioned whether a legally cognizable hardship had been shown; it denied several accessory variances for a recently constructed pool cabana but did so without prejudice to allow the owner to resubmit corrected plans.
The board frequently emphasized the difference between developer or design errors and the legal standard for variances. Members said they expect applicants to work with the city’s review process before starting construction and warned that relief that runs with the land should be used sparingly.
Procedurally, several continuances were set for the board’s February and March hearings to allow applicants time to work with staff and address technical questions about plats, right‑of‑way dedications, or sign framing. The board adjourned after a near‑daylong docket and a motion to recess for 30 minutes earlier in the session.
What’s next: Cases continued to February or March will return to the Board of Adjustment with revised drawings or additional staff analysis; applicants denied without prejudice may refile after addressing the technical issues noted by staff and members.
