HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0112 - 2026-09-29 - Informal ReportFORT WORTH®
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PERMANENT ASPHALT AND CONCRETE BATCH PLANT ZONING
AMENDMENTS - D.J. HARRELL, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: 09/29/26 NUMBER: IR 26-0112
TO THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
This Informal Report provides an overview of existing and proposed zoning regulations
pertaining to Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plants. The current Zoning Ordinance separates
batch plants into two categories: "Permanent Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plants" and
"Temporary Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plants".
The current zoning regulations for each category are below. The zoning regulations for
Permanent Asphalt or Concrete Batch Plants were most recently amended in June 2024 by
Ordinance No. 27030-06-2024.
• Permanent Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plants: May operate indefinitely (subject to
maintaining state permits) and serve a variety of users for commercial, residential and
infrastructure projects.
o Not allowed by right in any district
o Allowed by Conditional Use Permit within "I" Light Industrial, "J" Medium Industrial
and "K" Heavy Industrial
o No required zoning setback distance from other land uses
• Temporary Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plants: Typically used during the initial
construction of new developments to facilitate infrastructure and large volume
homebuilders for a short period of time.
o Allowed by right in industrial districts (I/J/K) for up to six months (longer if Special
Exception approved by the Board of Adjustment (BOA))
o Allowed by Conditional Use Permit within commercial and residential districts for
up to six months (longer if Special Exception approved by BOA)
o Site must be located 600 feet or more from properties upon which dwellings are
constructed
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Staff propose regulatory amendments to Permanent Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plants to
address two important issues:
• Long-term negative effects on surrounding residential uses related to dust, noise,
vibrations, and operating hours associated with Permanent Asphalt or Concrete Batch
Plants
• Long-term negative effects of heavy industrial traffic regularly using local residential
streets
Proposed regulations for Permanent Asphalt or Concrete Batch Plants include:
• Restrict the land use to only "K" Heavy Industrial zoning districts while maintaining the
Conditional Use Permit requirement
o The purpose of the Light (I) and Medium (J) Industrial districts is to provide for a
limited range of industrial uses, provided the uses are not noxious or offensive due
to odors, smoke, dust, noise, fumes or vibrations.
o Batch Plants are operated outdoors and have the potential to generate dust that
can be carried by wind to adjacent residential districts. The nuisance of dust
covering structures, yards, driveways and vehicles has the potential to reduce the
quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods. Land uses that generate excessive
dust are not compatible with residential land uses.
o High summer temperatures often result in concrete operators working in early
mornings or at night to ensure the concrete cures properly and maintains required
structural characteristics. Nighttime noise from batch plants coupled with trucks
and machinery equipped with safety devices emitting loud warning sounds have
the potential to lower the quality of life for surrounding residential areas by
reducing sleep quality and/or sleep amounts.
• Add a 1,000 -foot minimum separation between permanent batch plants and residential
or school uses
o Separation distance would be required to be shown on the Conditional Use Permit
site plan in addition to other site plan requirements as described in Section 4.407
"Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") Overlay District", Article 4 "Overlay Districts",
Chapter 4 "District Regulations", Zoning Ordinance.
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o This distance separation addresses noise and dust concerns as well as reduces
the potential for conflicts with school traffic on local streets.
The tentative schedule for the ordinance amending Supplemental Standards for Permanent
Concrete Batch Plants is as follows:
• September 29, 2026: Informal Report to City Council
• October 14, 2026: Zoning Commission considers ordinance amendment
• November 10, 2026: City Council considers ordinance amendment
For questions regarding this information, please contact D.J. Harrell, Development Services
Department Director at d.j.harreling fortworthtexas.aov.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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