Neighbors object to short-term rental at 1305 Shumack Lane citing property-size, parking and security concerns

Multiple neighbors told the board they oppose an exemption that would allow a short-term rental at 1305 Shumack Lane, raising documentary and lived-experience concerns about property size, remodels, parking capacity, and neighborhood safety.

Jay Hoag, a resident who said he has lived in Bedford for 56 years, submitted several exhibits and urged the board not to grant the exception. Hoag argued there is an error in the legal property description and presented Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) figures and photographs. He told the board TAD listed the lot as 0.25 acre (about 24,000 sq ft) but said the "effective square footage" is only about 16,000 sq ft; he also cited varying house sizes in records ("TAD shows this house as 3,800" in one listing and "4,600 square feet" in another) and called attention to a pool, covered deck and an accessory two-story building that he said increases conditioned area.

Another neighbor, James Epps, said he and long-term residents on Donna Lane oppose the exemption because of privacy and security concerns related to transient guests and alleged unregistered short-term rentals in the area. Epps said, "We cannot allow this, and we can't allow this exception to happen. I beg you. Do not let this happen." His remarks also included hostile references to the homeowner's background; those statements were presented as public testimony and not verified in the hearing record.

City staff accepted the submitted exhibits for the record. Residents asked the board to investigate other advertised short-term listings in the area and to confirm which properties are registered with the city.