Narrow road with ‘dead man’s curve’ no place for homes, far north Fort Worth neighbors say
More housing could be coming to northwest Fort Worth.
Boise, Idaho-based developer Conger Group is proposing to build 61 homes on 5.6 acres at 5819 Bowman Roberts Road, northwest of Marine Creek Reservoir.
The development is zoned for agricultural use, but Conger is requesting the land be rezoned for high density multifamily. Residents say they are worried that the extra traffic will make the roads less safe.
If the zoning change is approved, Conger would be allowed to build 32 units of housing per acre, or 176 units. However, the developer scaled back its plans after several meetings with neighborhood groups.
The development will have 16 one-bedroom units in eight duplexes and 45 detached two-bedroom homes, said Mary Nell Poole, Conger Group’s agent helping the firm navigate the city of Fort Worth’s development process. All 61 units will be for rent. The developer has abandoned plans for three-bedroom units.
Conger Group has developed more 10,000 lots around Boise, Idaho, according to its website.
Neighbors said they are wary of any development along that section of Bowman Roberts Road, a narrow tree-lined stretch with no shoulder and a sharp bend that some call “dead man’s curve,” said Ryan Smith, president of the Northwest Fort Worth Alliance.
“We’re not against development,” Smith said. His organization supported a 720 unit apartment project from South Carolina-based Greystar Development just north of North Loop 820 and Old Decatur Road.
The concerns are over the two-lane Bowman Roberts Road, which, like many roads north of Loop 820, was not built with dense housing developments in mind.
The city has been trying to catch up with far north Fort Worth’s rapid growth, but Bowman Roberts Road is not on Fort Worth’s long term plan for road improvements.
The developer will make improvements to the road to improve safety, Poole said.
Conger Group plans to put a four-way stop at the driveway leading into the development, at Bowman Roberts Road and Coral Reef Drive.
The zoning commission will take up the case at its March 22 meeting. It could go before the city council in April.
This story was originally published March 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
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