Fort Worth rejects far north housing development over safety concerns about road
A planned north Fort Worth cottage community failed to secure a necessary zoning change Tuesday from the City Council.
Boise, Idaho-based developer Conger Group had proposed putting 61 for-rent cottages on 5.6 acres at 5819 Bowman Roberts Road, northwest of Marine Creek Reservoir.
However, neighbors, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district representatives and District 7 council member Macy Hill all agreed the land is too narrow and the road is too dangerous to accommodate the development.
The property is on a tree lined, two-lane street with no shoulder and a bend some refer to as “dead man’s curve.”
After driving along that section of Bowman Roberts Road, Hill said the city needs to consider adding it to its master thoroughfare plan, which would put it in the pipeline for improvements.
Schools in the area are already straining with the pace of development, and adding this housing would just make that problem worse, said Russ Davis, who lives just west of the proposed development.
“On a selfish note, the previous owner used the land to breed show cows. Cows are peaceful and quiet neighbors. I don’t think 60 apartments will be,” he said.
The development sits between a middle and elementary school in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district. Ray Oujesky, an attorney representing the district, said the district had concerns about the safety of students commuting from the development along with the safety of the road.
District 2 council member Carlos Flores, whose district used to include this section of Bowman Roberts before redistricting, said he’s been working with city staff to add the stretch to the city’s master thoroughfare plan.
He told those attending the meeting that staff with the city’s department of transportation and public works are taking care of it.
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