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Commission backs annexation and plan development for 184-acre Farmer Road project; data-center use excluded
Summary
The zoning commission voted 10–0 May 13 to recommend annexation and a two-track PD for roughly 184 acres at Farmer Road and I‑20 that would permit commercial frontage and PD uses — including multifamily and light industrial in the rear — after the applicant volunteered to remove data centers and agreed to site-plan review for track two.
A majority of the Fort Worth Zoning Commission recommended approval May 13 of a two-track annexation and plan-development (PD) request covering about 184 acres at Farmer Road and Interstate 20 that would bring the land into the city and allow a mix of commercial frontage, multifamily options and limited industrial uses to the rear.
Applicant Travis Kle of Westwood Professional Services told the commission the project is being annexed from the extraterritorial jurisdiction to secure city water, sewer and zoning. The proposal would rezone the highway frontage to G (intensive commercial) and the rear tract to a PD that could include light industrial, urban residential and multifamily uses; staff materials identify a potential for high-density multifamily on portions of the west track if developed to those standards.
Why it matters: The property sits where Fort Worth’s western growth fronts I‑20, and commissioners said the annexation and commercial frontage would generate tax base and trigger required infrastructure contributions. Opponents at the hearing urged caution about locating industrial uses near schools and neighborhoods; applicant and staff emphasized voluntary removal of data-center uses and PD site-plan review as mitigation.
What the applicant said: Kle said the team removed data centers from the requested uses at the request of council members and neighborhood leaders, and that track‑2 development would require a PD site plan at a later stage. He told the commission traffic and utility studies, flood studies and traffic impact fees would be required at platting, and that the project is intended to bring commercial tax base to a high-profile highway corner.
Public reaction and neighborhood concerns: Two residents from nearby developments urged the commission to reject light industrial on the north side of I‑20, saying traffic, proximity to schools and the existing industrial pattern across the highway made industrial uses inappropriate. One speaker noted the site is within about a half-mile of a middle and elementary school and two churches and questioned whether local roads could safely absorb additional truck and warehouse traffic.
Commission discussion and outcome: Commissioners asked whether track‑2 could be limited or require a site plan; staff confirmed PD site-plan requirements would add review and conditions. Commissioners also discussed potential roadway improvements funded by traffic-impact fees if development moves forward. The commission voted 10–0 to recommend approval to City Council.
Next steps: The commission’s recommendation advances the annexation and PD request to the City Council for final action. If council approves, future platting and site-plan stages will require traffic, water, sewer and flood studies along with staff review and any additional conditions imposed by council.
