Trashed houses were on the agenda at the April 27 meeting of the Fort Worth Building Standards Commission. Here’s a summary of the cases the commission heard:
New Cases Residential
Case HS-26-38, 4701 S. Riverside Drive
Code officer Franklin Young told commissioners the case began in October 2024. The house is vacant, secure and considered substandard and hazardous, Young said. The city documented numerous issues: collapsed ceilings, animal feces and trash inside, broken windows with remaining shards, rotting wood, exposed insulation.
Toby Evans, son of the property owner, apologized to the commission for the conditions. He said he is unable to pay for repairs and is going to sell the property as-is.
Commissioner Stephanie Dike asked if it’s already listed on the market; Evans said it is not. He said he has been very busy caring for his terminally ill brother and helping their elderly mother.
Commissioner Jose Juarez asked if the paperwork to sell the home is in order. Not yet, but he’ll seek a realtor’s advice for that, Evans said. Notices from the city were sent to Evans’ mother. He said he got behind on checking her mail. He asked for 90 days to sell the property.
Commissioner Janet Lane moved to declare the structure substandard and hazardous. The motion passed 10-0. Lane moved to allow the owner 60 days in which to repair or demolish. The motion passed 10-0.
HS-26-49, 3800 Wren Ave.
The city opened the case in February 2024, and the house is vacant and open, the staff told the commission. The property manager was present during the last inspection, a staff member said. The house is cluttered with broken furniture, trash, unwholesome water and animal feces. Broken windows are covered by boards. Plumbing fixtures are damaged or missing.
Lane moved to declare it substandard and hazardous. The motion passed 10-0.
Al Alu, the commission vice chair, moved to allow the property owner 30 days to repair or demolish. The motion passed 10-0.
HS-26-51, 4120 Cherokee Trail
Code officer Jimmy Brinkley said the city opened the case in December 2025. The house is vacant and secure. No construction permits are on file. The roof has openings and missing shingles, the electrical system is compromised and a hazard. Debris is spread throughout.
Commissioner Melondy Doddy made a motion to declare the structure substandard and hazardous. The motion passed 10-0.
Doddy made another motion to give the owner 30 days to repair or demolish. The motion passed 10-0.
Fort Worth Building Standards Commission
Documenter name: Lisa Gayle Markham
Date: April 27, 2026
To learn more about this meeting, click here. For the agenda, click here.
Administrative Civil Penalty Cases Residential
ACP-26-45, 612 Timothy Drive
The city opened the case in October 2025, and the property has had 13 inspections. The backyard and sides of the house have excessive junk and clutter. Some progress has been made since March, the staff told commissioners. The owner, Elton Carl Stone, gave consent for his son to speak on his behalf. The son presented photos on his cell phone to show that the property has since been cleaned up.
Commissioner Jonathan Lyden moved to allow 30 days to complete the cleanup. The motion passed 10-0. Lyden moved to assess an immediate penalty of $35 per day, for 45 days, totaling $1,575. The motion passed 10-0.
ACP-26-46, 2408 Michael St.
The city opened the case in August 2025, and the property has had 15 inspections. No progress has been made in cleaning up trash around the site, the staff told commissioners.
Dike moved to allow the owner 30 days to clean up the site. The motion passed 10-0. Dike then moved for an immediate civil penalty of $100 per day, for 45 days, for a total of $4,500. The motion passed 10-0.
ACP-26-49, 2324 Halbert St.
The case opened in July 2025. It’s been inspected 18 times and is vacant. Trash and junk is everywhere outdoors and is harboring pests, the staff told commissioners. The owner of record is deceased, the staff said. The property last had trash service in May 2024.
Commissioner James Walker moved to allow the estate 30 days to clean up the property. The motion passed 10-0. Walker then moved to assess no civil penalty. The motion passed 10-0.
ACP-26-50, 2513 Wallace St.
The city opened the case in July 2025, and the property has had 12 inspections. The property is cluttered with garbage and is a health hazard, the staff said. The owner, Willie Dimes said the house is to be remodeled and that’s one reason many things were set outside.
Commissioner Mohan Gyawali made a motion to allow the owner 60 days to comply by cleaning up the property. The motion passed 10-0. He then moved to assess an immediate civil penalty of $100 per day for 45 days, for a total $4,500. The motion passed 10-0.
ACP-26-52, 3732 Slade Blvd.
Code officer Juan Gonzalez said the city opened this case in August 2025 and has inspected the property 17 times. The backyard and side yards are full of trash and debris, encouraging vector activity. The owner has made no progress in cleaning up the site, the staff said.
Juarez moved to allow the owner 30 days to clean up the site. The motion passed 10-0. Juarez moved for an immediate civil penalty of $100 per day for 45 days, totaling $4,500. The motion passed 10-0.
ACP-26-53, 9924 Osprey Drive
The city opened the case in June 2024, and the site has had 29 inspections. The owner has made progress in clearing the trash, the staff told commissioners.
Commissioner Stephanie Thompson moved to allow the owner 30 more days to clear the trash. The motion passed 10-0. Thompson then moved to assess an immediate civil penalty of $25 per day, for 45 days, or $1,125. The motion passed 10-0.
ACP-26-54, 4525 Trysail Drive
The city opened the case in May 2025, and has done 19 inspections, the staff told commissioners. Trash and junk are piled up, creating an ideal environment for vectors, the staff said. The property has had no trash service since Jan. 7, 2026, the staff said.
Lane moved to allow the owner 30 days to clear the property. The motion passed 10-0. She then moved for an immediate civil penalty of $100 per day for 45 days, totaling $4,500. The motion passed 10-0.
Lisa Gayle Markham is a member of the Fort Worth Report Documenters crew. If you believe anything in this account is inaccurate, please email us at news@fortworthreport.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
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