Fort Worth council upholds denial of auto‑repair zoning change after neighbors protest safety and proximity

Fort Worth City Council voted to uphold the Planning & Zoning Commission's unanimous recommendation to deny with prejudice a proposed rezoning that would have allowed an auto‑repair operation at a site directly adjacent to single‑family homes.

Neighbors and homeowners associations told council the property sits “smack dab” in the middle of the residential area and that the applicant’s requested PD changes would circumvent existing supplemental use standards that prohibit automotive repair adjacent to residences. Speakers documented a months‑long exchange with city staff over a perceived error in land‑use guidance and said the applicant had proceeded to make improvements before the zoning question was resolved.

Eric Wilhight, a certified planner and nearby resident, told council the PD site plan did not show adequate mitigation measures and that Chapter 5 supplemental use standards disallow auto repair next to residential parcels. Other speakers described traffic and safety risks from U‑turns and customer trips through neighborhood streets and cited reduced property values since the issue became public.

The applicant’s representative, Wes Hoba of Master Plan Consultants, said the owner intended to add landscaping, screening and other site improvements and that operations would be indoor and largely compatible with the neighborhood if properly conditioned. Council members concluded the PD request attempted to circumvent code protections and that denial with prejudice was appropriate to protect adjacent residents and clarify land‑use expectations.

Council Member Blot moved to uphold the P&Z recommendation to deny with prejudice; the motion carried.