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Zoning commission denies proposed landscape recycling and transfer station near Fort Worth Nature Center
Summary
The Fort Worth Zoning Commission denied a request to allow a retail landscape supply, outdoor processing and a recycling transfer station at 7640 Jacksboro Highway after public testimony raised noise and invasive-pest concerns tied to the adjacent Fort Worth Nature Center; the motion to deny passed 7-2.
Chairperson Raines presided as the commission heard CCD-26-022, a request for retail landscape supply with outdoor sales and an organic-material recycling transfer station at 7640 Jacksboro Highway.
The applicant, Tim Sansone, described the business as a retail site that would sell mulches, soils and related landscape materials and said grinding would occur only 'one to two days a month.' Sansone told commissioners he has operated similar sites across Texas and that the company has a Fort Worth site in Alliance where he said he received no complaints. 'I don't have scientific proof today. However, I do have 13 years of experience operating around grinders,' Sansone said, and added the company was willing to accept restrictions, including time-limited permits.
Scenic Fort Worth representative Judy Harmon opposed the request, saying the site is on a scenic corridor, is close to parks and the Nature Center and requests multiple waivers that would allow visible outdoor storage and front-yard chain-link fencing. 'Unless there are some major changes ... there seems to be very little care about being a good neighbor,' Harmon said.
A representative of the Fort Worth Nature Center (identified in the hearing as Jared) said the nature center has previously suffered an invasive-pest introduction after a neighboring property stored wood, pointing to the emerald ash borer that 'wiped out the majority of our ash trees.' He said the city and the center have spent roughly $240,000 recently on invasive-species removal and that moving and storing woody material near the center presents a scientifically grounded risk. Jared also said more study would be required to quantify noise and wildlife impact.
Commission discussion focused on two recurring concerns: (1) the potential for pests or disease to spread from material stored or processed on-site into the nature center and nearby public parks, and (2) noise and visual impacts from outdoor storage and grinding operations. Several commissioners acknowledged Sansone's operating history but said the site's proximity to sensitive natural areas made them reluctant to approve the application. Chairperson Raines said, 'I just don't think it's worth the risk on this particular site,' and emphasized the long-term nature of potential environmental harm.
Commissioner Edmonds moved to deny ZC-26-022 citing testimony from the Nature Center about prior pest introductions and the financial burden on the city to remediate such infestations; Commissioner Robinson seconded. The commission voted 7 to 2 to deny the request.
The denial at the zoning-commission level is advisory; the full City Council will consider the case later as part of the normal review process. The commission’s action reflects the zoning panel’s judgment that the site’s environmental risks and requested waivers outweigh the applicant’s mitigation proposals.
