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February 14, 2024
District: 10 | Far North
91-Unit Senior Living Multifamily | 13951 Sendera Ranch Blvd | Denied
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DISTRICT: 10
Sendera Ranch Independent Living 13951 Sendera Ranch Blvd
Far North | 9.36 Acres | 91 Units | Denied
The case highlighted the lack of commercial development in Far North Fort Worth despite thousands of new homes coming to the area. As Commissioner Wurman stated:
‟We lose too much of our commercial space to more residential.
Journey Capital, represented by Trent Robertson with Masterplan, requested rezoning to build a 91-unit senior independent living community. The Comprehensive Plan calls for a future land use of commercial, but "assisted living” is allowed by right on the site.
Robertson made the case that cottage-style senior living is akin to assisted living. He distinguished it from multifamily. But the Commission’s Chair, Willie Rankin, made it very clear.
‟I just wanted to make sure I had that clarity that what they're proposing today is multifamily senior living. What they're allowed to by right is assisted living, more like a hospital setting. And to further add to that as far as zoning is concerned, we can't regulate the age for the multifamily.
The neighborhood came out to oppose the project for a different reason: the lack of commercial in Far North Fort Worth.
Commissioner Wurman, who represents District 10, directly addressed the tricky situation. Though recognizing improvements coming, Wurman Said:
‟I am all for keeping it commercial, all the way through North Fort Worth.
Community member James Sobel argued the development does not comply with Sundera Ranch's residential guidelines calling for single-family housing. He was concerned that the new residents are “going to be there 24 hours a day" unlike commercial uses that shut down at night.
The Commission asked Sobel what he would rather have: a hospital or a senior living multifamily. He made it clear, anything but multifamily.
‟I see how this is all beneficial to them, but I don't see it as beneficial to us who have lived here 15 years and labored to create this community and still have residential guidelines in place that they don't meet as a multifamily.
While seeing the value in senior living for aging families, Commissioners like Rankin went back to the future land use:
‟When you look at the future land use of being commercial, even if they're not buying now, they may buy later after those additional houses get built.
In a 8-0 vote, the Commission recommended denial to retain the commercial zoning, with reactions centered on preserving business space for when future retail becomes viable after thousands of new rooftops arrive.
Developer: Journey Capital, Narayan Patel Phone: (214) 901-5074 Email: [email protected]
Staff Report: ZC-24-206 SR
Concept Plan: ZC-24-206 CP
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