Damage caused by fire was a big concern at a June meeting of Fort Worth’s Building Standards Commission.
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Regular Meeting
Documenter name: Lisa Gayle Markham
Agency: Fort Worth Building Standards Commission
Date: June 23, 2025
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
Board members present: Brian Black, Jonathan Lyden, Tony DiNicola, Stephanie Thompson, Melondy Doddy, James Walker, Al Alu and Mohan Gyawali
New board members: Stephanie Cardona of the city staff swore in Mohan Gyawali to represent City Council District 5. Charles Edmonds, who is leaving the seat, spoke briefly. He praised Fort Worth Code Compliance for protecting residents from dangerous buildings and structures and welcomed Gyawali to the commission.
Cases withdrawn from agenda
4429 E. Rosedale St. and 3921 Micki Lynn Ave.
New cases, residential
- HS-25-58 (City Council District 9) 1417 Spurgeon St.
This home, built in 1954, experienced a severe fire that caused exposed beams, collapsed drywall, broken windows with remaining chards, and other damage. Representing new owner Joan Campbell was Jerome Hilderbrand of JHC Construction. His company has started repairs and replaced all windows, installed new insulation and consulted a plumber. Hilderbrand presented a work plan. City staff questioned whether Campbell was indeed the new owner. Staff had been in contact with the heirs of Flora Aleman, who’s listed as the current owner. Hilderbrand said there were nine or 10 heirs and that they all signed off. City recommended 30 days for property to get up to code. Al Alu made a motion for 60 days. The motion passed 8-0.
- HS-25-71 (City Council District 4), 7437 Canoga Circle
The case originated March 31, 2025, and is vacant and secured by the owner. Broken windows, walls and ceilings are missing or damaged by smoke from a fire. Owner Jeffrey A. Weaver said the delay was due to waiting for the insurance company to pay. He has been maintaining the yard and, as of June 13, two permits are on file — one electrical, one residential building. Weaver requested 120 days to complete the work. Chair Brian Black said the most the commission could give would be 90 days, and Weaver could appeal. The city staff recommended 30 days. A motion was made and seconded to give the owner 90 days. The motion passed 7-0.
Administrative civil penalty cases, residential
- ACP-25-61 (City Council District 3), 5640 Volder Drive
The case originated Sept. 12, 2024. This property is a health hazard, and has had no trash service, the city staff said. Piles of junk are spread throughout and are a nuisance, the staff said. No one was present to speak on behalf of the owner. The staff recommended a $4,400 penalty and 30 days to bring it up to code. If not completed in 30 days, the city will have it done, with costs charged to the owner, the staff said. The motion passed 6-0.
2. ACP-25-70 (City Council District 11), 3796 Kearby St.
A code compliance officer spoke for the city. The case originated April 19, 2024. The property is littered with many old tires, broken furniture, ice chests and other debris in piles outside the property, the officer told the commission. The property has had no trash service since February 2024, the officer said. The owner, David Wayne Wallace, is deceased. The city recommended no financial penalty, but 30 days for the estate to repair or demolish the structure. The motion passed 6-0.
Administrative civil penalty case, residential
- ACP-25-66 (City Council District 5), 1115 Tierney Road
The case originated Oct. 11, 2022. The lot is vacant, has no trash service, and is full of garbage and is a nuisance, a code officer told commissioners. Owner Dickson Kuteyi had reservations to fly overseas but canceled to be present at the meeting. He told commissioners he’s rented a garbage roll-off at least four times and disposed of the trash. He said he takes pictures after cleaning. Every time he returns to the lot, more junk has been tossed on it, he told the commission. Kuteyi said that code officers do not return his calls and he has tried to address all issues. A roll-off is at the site, which should be clean as of June 24, Kuteyi told the commission. A city staff member asked Kuteyi what he plans to do to keep the lot secure and from being trashed. He said he plans to put an office building on the lot. The city staff recommended a civil penalty of $4,000 and 30 days to complete the work. Tony DiNicola made that motion, which Stephanie Thompson seconded. The motion passed 7-0.
Recognitions
Before the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m., Tony Hiller, a code compliance superintendent, was recognized. Today was his last day with the city. He was thanked for his hard work and given well wishes for his retirement.
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