TCU OVERLAY CONTROVERSY
For the second time in a month a proposed zoning change brought a neighborhood controversy before the Fort Worth City Council.
The council approved a zoning change at 2801 and 2901 Stanley Ave. from PD/I (planned development for all uses in light industrial) to UR (urban residential) with Texas Christian University residential overlay.
Urban residential is designed to provide a housing density transition zone between low-density single-family and higher-density commercial areas. In addition, commercial users are located along Mistletoe Boulevard, just north of the site.
The developer, SSS Tenancy in Common, is proposing a townhouse and multifamily use in a condominium format on the east side of Stanley, south of Cantey Street. In this form, the property remains under one ownership and each unit is sold/rented individually.
Surrounding land is zoned industrial to the north, west and south, with commercial to the east with railroad tracks as a buffer. Directly abutting the area zoned industrial to the west is a large single-family neighborhood, and therein lies the controversy.
The project did receive support from the Paschal Neighborhood Association, however.
“We’re really in favor of it,” said association President James Hawks. “We want to see that kind of improvement in our neighborhood. These guys have a great reputation and we’re for it.”
Efforts to reach SSS for comment were unsuccessful.
BOTANIC GARDEN UPDATE
During the work session, the council heard an informal report concerning a memorandum of understanding between the City of Fort Worth and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) for educational and volunteer programs at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
This is a continuation of the council’s acceptance in November of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Strategic Plan from EMD Consulting Group.
Phase IA of the plan is compete and IB is in progress. Phase II is set to be launched in October and will include exploring the establishment of or partnership with a nonprofit for fundraising and membership and allocating existing funds identified in Phase IB to the nonprofit.
Key terms of the memo of understanding include:
* External evaluation of both the education and volunteer programs and needs of both organization;
* Development of a strategic and operational plan, including oversight of program operations, implementation and quality control;
*Development of a co-brand for education and volunteers with marketing to promote brand awareness;
*Administration of the education and volunteer programs by BRIT, including staffing;
* Transfer of existing funds of $191,000 in the Botanic Garden special revenue fund to BRIT as part of the city’s fiscal year 2018 budget process;
*Elimination of three filled positions assigned to the Botanic Garden education program, though efforts will be made to reassign the employees.
CONSOLIDATED SERVICE CENTER
The council approve an architectural services agreement with Quorum Architects Inc. for $975,600 for design and construction administration services for Phase I of a new consolidated service center at the existing Parks and Recreation South Service Center, 5199 James Ave.
Major improvements in the Cultural District and the West Seventh area have increased traffic and congestion at several nearby intersections. As a result, the city, Fort Worth Independent School District and Tarrant County have been working on a plan to align Crestline Road east of University Drive with Trail Drive on the west.
FWISD has contributed right-of-way through its Farrington Field parking lot. Tarrant County is contributing $2.8 million to the construction, which is expected to begin after the 2018 Fort Worth Stock Show. As a result, the Crestline Service Center must be relocated this fall.
City officials note that to make the most of this relocation and improve efficiency, many services, materials and staff will be consolidated at the existing South Service Center. Activities from these facilities will be moved to temporary locations across the city during construction of the new facility.
POLICE DEPARTMENT DONATION
The council authorized the Fort Worth Police Department to
accept a donation of 900 ballistic vests and 900 helmets valued at $589,000 from the Fort Worth Police Department SWAT Support Group.
The group is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the need for additional equipment and training for the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT). The organization received a donation of $355,000 from the Mallick Group, a Fort Worth real estate and energy investment firm, to buy the vests. The enhanced ballistic vests offer protection against high-velocity rounds and armor-piercing ammunition.
In light of the donation from the Mallick Group, the SWAT support group began the Protect the Fort Initiative, a campaign to raise money for equipment for police officers.
In late January, the Protect the Fort Initiative reached its goal of $234,000 in donations to buy the helmets. The helmets are Type 3A armor and are known for their durability, performance and overall ballistic protection and include a ratchet system for better fit and comfort.
SMITH & NEPHEW ABATEMENT
The council approved a tax abatement for Smith & Nephew Biotherapeutics of up to 55 percent over five years related to the company’s expansion at 4900 W. Vickery Blvd. It is a British-based multinational firm with 15,000 employees worldwide and sales of more than $4.6 billion in 2016.
Smith & Nephew offers advanced medical products and health care services for orthopedics reconstruction, advanced wound management, sports medicine and trauma and extremities applications.
The company plans to invest at least $4.7 million in construction costs and at least $21 million in new business personal property by Dec. 31, 2018. Hard construction costs for the project are estimated at $3.5 million. The company agreed to spend the greater of 35 percent or $1.225 million of all hard construction costs with Fort Worth contractors, and the greater of 25 percent or $875,000 with contractors that are Fort Worth certified minority/women-owned business enterprise companies.
The company will also create 30 new full-time jobs by Dec. 31, 2018, 28 more full-time jobs by Dec. 31, 2020, and an additional 42 full-time jobs by Dec. 31, 2022. A minimum of 40 percent of the jobs will be filled by Fort Worth residents and a minimum of 30 percent by central city residents.
The average salary is projected to be over $46,000 annually. The company will also spend the greater of 35 percent or $5 million annually for discretionary service and supplies with Fort Worth companies and a minimum of 25 percent or $3.575 million annually with Fort Worth minority/women-owned contractors.
COMO COMMUNITY CENTER
The council authorized an architectural services agreement with HKS Inc. for up to $799,261 for architectural design and construction administration services for the new Como Community Center at Chamberlin Park, part of a 2014 bond program. Council members also approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with A.P. Ranch to collaborate in funding and constructing the center, gymnasium and athletic field.
According to the agreement:
* The city and A.P. Ranch will engage HKS and Muckleroy to design and provide pre-construction services.
* Both parties will act in good faith in value engineering and scope reduction to meet the financial constraints and to distribute project costs accordingly.
* All funding or a private financial guarantee will be in place before construction contracts are awarded.
* Future operations anticipate a cooperative agreement that facilitates the long-term commitment of A.P. Ranch to support programming and activities at the facilities.
* The city will continue to fund operating costs and programs at the facility, subject to the annual city budget, and will propose staffing.
This story has been corrected to remove comments that were about another issue.