BARBER SHOP TO OPEN – AGAIN
Some projects are like splitting hairs, or in this case cutting hairs.
The Fort Worth City Council on May 1 approved a zoning change of almost one acre at 2525 and 2529 Wilkinson Ave. from two-family residential to residential and barber shop.
Discussion and a vote on the project had been continued from previous meetings, most recently April 24.
The owner/applicant, Joyce Heredia, bought the property in 2008 when it was zoned neighborhood commercial. Several improvements were completed after 2010, including adding a carport, paving most of the lot, adding a decorative masonry fence to the east, and building an addition to the home on a second level. The property was rezoned to two-family in 2010.
However, no certificate of occupancy was found and therefore a barber shop was not a legal use. Water records indicate the structure has always been metered as a duplex.
At a zoning commission meeting, Heredia’s representative, Renny Rosas, explained that the applicant has met with the neighborhood but requested more time to get a clarification on the barber shop from the state. The zoning commission asked for information about recent activities and Rosas explained that the applicant began cutting hair two weeks before the hearing and installed a sign, which has since been taken down.
The zoning commission had recommended in a 9-0 vote that the project be denied. The West Meadowbrook Association also spoke out against the project.
During the council continuance period, Heredia provided a site plan that shows the existing and proposed conditions of the site, and also agreed to develop the barber shop side to the required standards.
Rosas told the council at its May 1 meeting, “There isn’t a barbershop for several miles and there’s definitely a need in that community.”
District 8 Councilwoman Kelly Allen Gray rejected the zoning commission’s recommendation, saying she, the applicant and several neighbors worked through concerns. She also stressed that the barber shop be brought up to commercial standards.
“I know this case has taken some turns. It’s had some ups and downs,” Gray said, adding, “I want you to be good neighbors.”
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS DAY SPA
The council approved a zoning change allowing a day spa to operate at 1500 Montgomery St.
The Fort Worth City Council on May 1 approved a zoning change at the location from planned development/specific use to add a massage therapy/spa.
“There’s a certain criteria I want to protect in Arlington Heights. It’s a small bungalow neighborhood with a lot of historical value,” said District 7 Councilman Dennis Shingleton. He cited concerns over community encroachment and structural incompatibility but said, “This particular day spa doesn’t fit any of those. It’s one lady with a day spa using four rooms. There’s no parking problem.”
He noted that the spa is relocating due to increased rent at its previous site.
The owner/applicants are Paula and Marshall Tillman. The site is located on Montgomery Street, a commercial connector, north of Crestline Road and south of Watonga Street, both residential streets.
The zoning commission recommended approval by a 6-1 vote, to include only the spa and exclude a beauty/barber shop. Opposition included three individuals, the Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association, six letters, and 16 notices submitted.
The spa will have clients by appointments only, city officials said. They also say the property is three parking spaces short of the 14 requested for the spa. However, the owner owns another property to the north within 500 feet with excess parking, where employees of this business can park.
MONEY FOR MEACHAM
The Fort Worth City Council on May authorized the city to apply for a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division for up to $8.1 million for the design and construction of the Midfield Redevelopment Project at Meacham International Airport.
It also authorized use of mineral lease revenue from city-owned airports and transfer of funds for the city’s grants match up to $900,319.00, covering the city’s 10 percent grants match.
The council adopted a resolution In February 2015 supporting the closure and redevelopment of Runway 9/27 at the airport. The redevelopment will create new taxiways to stimulate hangar development and provide increased income for the airport through lease revenue and fuel fees.
“This is the next step in Meacham Airport’s future. Meacham has seen tremendous growth in recent years with both new and existing tenants expanding at the airport and adding new facilities,” said Jeff Kloska, assistant airport systems director. “Due to all of this explosive growth, Meacham is near capacity when it comes to developable land for hangars.”
Kloska said the project should add roughly 1.3 million square feet of developable land.
He said that over the past five years operations at Meacham have grown as the tenants and the aviation industry as a whole is seeing strong growth. He said tenants are continuing to expand and a waiting list exists for new developable land.
“This has the potential to be an important economic redevelopment opportunity for Meacham Airport,” said District 2 Councilman Carlos Flores, in whose district the airport lies. “If the grant is awarded to Fort Worth, it affords Meacham Airport the ability to increase aircraft operations and create more economic opportunities for District 2 and the city.”
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
During the May 1 city council meeting, Mayor Betsy Price was presented with an honorary membership in the Delta Mega Public Health Society, Alpha Sigma Chapter of the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She was chosen for her help in advancing health in Fort Worth, including the Blue Zones Project, Smoke Free Fort Worth, Bike Share and childhood literacy.
Also, the Stray Animal Unit received a donation of $4,549.98 from the law firm of Barlow Garsek & Simon, LLP. The donation is for the purchase of ballistic vests for the seven-person Fort Worth Animal Control stray dog team.