Fort Worth zoning commission unanimously denies short-term rental in Lake Como
A proposed short-term rental in Fort Worth’s Como neighborhood ran into more headwinds Wednesday after a city board voted unanimously to reject a needed zoning change.
This is the first instance of a property owner requesting a zoning change for a short-term rental, like those listed on Airbnb and Vrbo, since the city adopted new registration rules in February.
The city banned short-term rentals from residential neighborhoods in 2018, however, many continued to operate illegally due to the high burden of proof required to enforce the city’s rules.
Under the new ordinance, short-term rental operators are required to register with the city and be in compliance with the city’s zoning rules.
Home owner Laura Tucker purchased the property in March 2022, but moved to Frisco in January 2023 to pursue a career opportunity in the legal field, she told the commission Wednesday.
She wanted to make her home into a short-term rental after seeing a large number of vacant long-term rentals in the community.
The property would have a maximum of 10 guests and would have a 24/7 management company to respond to neighborhood complaints, she said.
However, neighbors in the Lake Como community opposed Tucker’s requested change, saying she didn’t do enough to reach out to the community.
Tucker declined an invitation to speak at the April 6 meeting of the Lake Como Neighborhood Advisory Council due to a scheduling conflict, resident Sandra Stanley told the commission Wednesday.
Tucker responded she was busy at work and accused the group of being unfriendly to changes in the neighborhood.
Residents pushed back and said people are always welcome at the monthly meetings.
Como is a neighborhood where neighbors like to know their neighbors, said resident Dorothy Dubose.
Zoning commissioner Beth Welch applauded Tucker for going through the process to operate her short-term rental legally. However, she recommended denying the request because of the community push back.
Tucker said she understood the community’s concerns and said the move was in no way intended to offend members of the community, in an email to the Star-Telegram.
“It is a way for myself to look into my personal future as an entrepreneur by practicing my private property owner rights,” she wrote.
The Fort Worth City Council will make the final decision on whether to deny or allow the zoning case at its May 9 meeting.
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