Affordable cottages and townhomes are planned for a 15.61-acre tract near the Rosemont neighborhood after city leaders rezoned the site.

The City Council on Aug. 12 unanimously approved rezoning the land that will enable the Fort Worth Community Land Trust to redevelop the site that includes the 4000 block of Lubbock, Merida, Sandage and McCart avenues. 

The land trust plans to build 145 new homes and renovate 55 existing homes on the property through a partnership with the Housing Channel nonprofit organization. 

The site, once used for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary student housing, has been underused and in need of upgrades, according to a city staff report. It was purchased by the city and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation in August 2023 to develop affordable housing in the neighborhood.

Rezoning of the land from general commercial restricted to urban residential was first approved by the Fort Worth Zoning Commission. The zoning allows for denser housing, making the project a buffer between nearby single-family homes, schools and commercial and industrial sites.

The city is also studying McCart Avenue to improve mobility in the neighborhood. Land trust officials said the development will support other city efforts to make the Rosemont area more walkable.

Housing construction is expected within months and will be completed by 2029. 

Once homes are built, the land trust will retain ownership of the land to keep home prices low, even if homeowners later decide to sell their houses.

One resident expressed support for the project but did not publicly address the council at its Aug. 12 meeting.

Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org

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