Stockyards task force to discuss building height

A proposal to limit building height in the Fort Worth Stockyards will be presented at Wednesday’s meeting of the Historic Stockyards Design District Task Force.

The task force, which will meet at 6 p.m. at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, 128 East Exchange Ave., will ask for public input before discussing topics such as design principles, architectural style, building form and materials.

The Fort Worth City Council created the task force in 2014 to draft development standards and guidelines after the council approved an incentive package for a $175 million Stockyards development proposed by Fort Worth’s Hickman family in partnership with California developer Majestic Realty. The task force also was charged with setting the boundaries of a temporary zoning overlay district to govern design and construction guidelines for the Hickman-Majestic property and other development in the Stockyards.

- FWBP Digital Partners -

Randy Gideon, consultant from Ibanez Architecture, will propose a three-story limit for new structures and any buildings undergoing major changes in conjunction with redevelopment.

Any proposals approved by the task force will be forwarded to the City Council for official action.

Building height has been a concern for property owners in the Stockyards who do not want to be included in guidelines aimed at the Hickman-Majestic development.

During the last public meeting of the task force on July 14, task force member Keith Kidwill said limiting the height of buildings might lower property values on the west side of the Stockyards. Most of the Stockyards is classified under MU-2 zoning, otherwise known as a High Intensity Mixed-Use District. MU-2 allows buildings up to five stories.

- Advertisement -

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and council member Sal Espino, whose district includes the Stockyards, appointed Kidwill to the task force to represent property owners on the west side of North Main Street and West Exchange Avenue. The City Council was scheduled to vote on a resolution confirming Kidwill’s appointment during the council’s regular meeting today (July 21).