Zoning Update: Beach Street near Gateway Park

- contributed by Rick Herring

Some of you may remember the recent zoning case on Beach Street near Gateway Park, where developers proposed building 4-story warehouses along Beach and next to the park entrance.  The developers withdrew their zoning change request after an outpouring of opposition from all across Fort Worth, and especially from Riverside and east Fort Worth.

Following these events, the property owners and the Urban Land Institute sponsored a three-day panel of development experts to explore realistic options for development of the vacant land near Gateway Park.  

The five options that resulted from the ULI Expert Panel are as follows:

• Industrial uses (as current zoning permits);
• Mixed use multi-family and retail with park and trail connectivity;
• High density owner occupied townhomes, duplexes, etc., with park and trail connectivity;
• Natural open space with limited development; and
• Youth sports complex (as Fort Worth has been pursuing this) along with possible hotel and restaurant sites.

You can view the ULI Expert Panel presentation of findings at this link (starting about 9-10 minutes into the recording).  Enter this passcode for access: W+SAjV6K

Happy holidays! December is Here!

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online!  Click on the image below to view pictures from our Halloween Trunk or Treat and Witches' Stroll, as well as upcoming activities and events, i.e. Santa in the Park (12/10) and our annual holiday decorating contest (all this month)!  You'll also find zoning info, Brett's monthly column, committee reports, and even a wassail recipe!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

November Oak Leaflet

Check out this month's issue of The Oak Leaflet online!  Inside, you'll find recaps and photos from the 34th annual ONA First Responders' Dinner and Oaktoberfest events, Brett's president's message, ONA Fall Decorating Contest winner announcement, a tribute to Beverly Mason by Libby Willis, and more.

Upcoming events:  November's ONA meeting is Monday, 11/14 at the Post at River East; Oakhurst is fielding a flag football team on 11/27, and Santa will be in Oakhurst Park on 12/10.  See more details inside!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

October Oak Leaflet

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online.  Read about the upcoming 2022 First Responders Appreciation Dinner (10/6), Oaktoberfest (10/8), and Trunk or Treat (10/30), along with other upcoming events.  Also check out Brett's President's message, our monthly COPs report, the Yard of the Month, and more.

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

Get Your September Oak Leaflet!

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online.  You'll find it full of upcoming event info, including the annual Oakhurst COPs First Responders Appreciation Dinner (10/6-7), ONA Oaktoberfest (10/8), ONA General Membership Meeting (10/10), Oakhurst Trunk or Treat (10/30), and more!  Be sure to check out upcoming activities and events on our ONA calendar.  Also check out Brett's President's Message, Randy's COPs report, Natalie's new "Phantom Foodie" feature, and Glenda's article on "Celebrating the Oak Cluster Garden Club"!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

August's "Condensed" Oak Leaflet

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online!  Click on the image below to view pictures from 4th of July in the Park.  You'll also find some good info from Fran Burns on how to handle plants and irrigation in this heat.

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

July is Here!

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online. Read about the Carter-Riverside kickball tourney, Phyllis's cupcake offer for Oakhurst newbies, this month's "Yard of the Month", Brett's President's Message, and more!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

June Oak Leaflet Online

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online!  Click on the link or the image below for a recap of Oakhurst's annual garage/yard sale, our upcoming July 4th event, June's Yard of the Month, and an introduction to Brett Bowden, our new ONA president.  And make note of other upcoming activities and events for this summer!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

Save the Date: ONA Meeting on 6/13

Save the date for our upcoming ONA meeting, to be held on Monday, 6/13, at 6:30 pm at The Post at River East (2925 Race Street).

Click on the image below for more details!

Oak Leaflet - May 2022

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online!  Click on the image below to view pictures from Easter in the Park, read about May's Yard of the Month, make note of upcoming activities and events, and more.

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

New ONA Officers Elected!

A message from outgoing ONA President Chanin Scanlon:

All—will you please join me in welcoming your 2022-2023 ONA Board.  We held elections last night at the general membership meeting and I think they are going to do great work.

• Brett Bowden - President
• Jennifer Eggelston - Vice President
• Cindy Pruett - Treasurer
• Kathryn Omarkhail - Secretary
• Jan Buck - Zoning Chair
• Ted Bauer - Newsletter Editor
• Frances Cain - Budget/Finance Chair
• Fran Burns - Beautification Chair
• Glenda Hartsell-Shelton - Events Chair
• Natalie Lopez - Street Rep. Chair

4/14: ONA General Membership Meeting

Save the date for our upcoming ONA General Membership Meeting, to be held on Thursday, 4/14, at 6:30 pm at the Riverside Community Center (3700 E. Belknap St.).  Click on the image below for more details!

Neighborhood V O T E on Mercy Culture Justice Reform - Saturday (4/2)!

A message from ONA President Chanin Scanlon:

V - O - T - E (on Mercy Culture/Justice Reform) April 2, 2022, 3-6 pm, Oakhurst Park

Neighbors -

We have now heard from the church, developers and Justice Reform about their plans for a 65-100 person complex at 1701 Oakhurst Scenic Drive for victims of human trafficking and an eventual medical facility north of this proposed facility (TBD?)

Now it’s time to vote.

Please come to Oakhurst Park this Saturday, April 2, from 3-6 pm to cast your vote on this matter.

Get Your April Newsletter Here!

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online.  Click on the link or image below to read about the outcome of the Beach Street development.  Find out how to participate in the Mercy Culture zoning discussion.  Check out announcements from the Beautification and Events committees, as well as Chanin's President's Message.  And make a note of upcoming activities and events!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

Save the Date: ONA Elections

A message from ONA President Chanin Scanlon:

Hello Oakhurst Neighbors,

On April 14th, you will have the opportunity to elect your 2022-2023 ONA Executive Board and Officers.

These individuals serve one-year terms and promote the mission of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (ONA), which is "to promote better communication, neighborhood unity, civic spirit and good will among area residents; to protect and promote the best interest of residents; to promote the improvement of public facilities and services, and to cooperate with government agencies and other civic public organizations for the general welfare of the residents of Oakhurst". 

List of positions

(Please review the ONA Bylaws to learn more about each position.)

Executive Board

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary

Committee Chairs 

• Special Events
• Beautification
• TPW/Zoning
• Newsletter Editor
• Street Representative
• Budget & Finance
• Audit Committee

If you would like to run for a position or are interested in becoming more involved with one of these committees in the neighborhood, please contact the nominating committee at lopeznatalie291@gmail.com to express your intent as soon as possible.  Please note that nominations can also be made on the floor during elections at the General Membership meeting on April 14, 2022, 6:30 pm, at a location to be determined in the near future.  We will keep you posted on location.

Updates from Chanin: Mercy Culture/Justice Reform Project

A note from ONA President Chanin Scanlon:

All – please allow me to give you some updates about the continuing Mercy Culture/Justice Reform project.

1. The project was continued from the March 9th Zoning Commission meeting to the April 13th meeting, when the case will be heard and most likely decided. That meeting will be at 1:00 pm in the afternoon at 200 Texas Street. We will let you know where the matter falls on the docket once that is posted by the City.
2. Regarding the meeting scheduled by the Justice Reform for March 31, 6:00 pm, the meeting is to allow the church time to present the project to the community and allow the community opportunity to ask the questions or provide comments. You do not need to RSVP to that meeting. Please come and ask Justice Reform all your questions. ONA will schedule a time for residents to vote on the project in the days following that meeting. That vote is scheduled to take place in Oakhurst Park, April 2nd from 3-6 pm. The vote will be taken by ballot.
3. Regarding speakers at the upcoming Zoning Commission hearing – the commission only allows any opposition to speak for 7 minutes total. Speakers in opposition may only speak for 2 minutes each which means that truly only allows for three speakers to be fully heard. Speakers have been working on their presentations on behalf of the neighborhood for some time. We are graciously asking our neighbors to please consult with ONA before signing up to speak at the zoning hearing as we do not want to undermine the presentations drafted on behalf of our neighbors. Please note that the City Council hearings allow for many more speakers so feel free to sign up to speak to this issue at the City Council hearing. City Council has the final say regarding the outcome of the case. The City Council case will be scheduled in May. We will keep you informed about that date.

Thank you all for your thoughts and patience on this matter as it makes its way through the city’s approval process.

March Executive Board Meeting Agenda

Mark your calendar for this week's ONA executive board meeting: Thursday, March 10, 7:00 pm at the Riverside Community Center (3700 E. Belknap).

Click on the image below for an enlarged view of the agenda.

March Oak Leaflet - Online Now!

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online.  Inside, you'll find info regarding the Beach St. zoning case, details on the upcoming Oakhurst "Shamrock Stroll", ONA monthly reports, and more.

Be sure to check out upcoming activities and events, and remember that you are always welcome to explore past issues in our newsletter archive.

Save the Date! ONA Special Meeting

Please click on the image below to view the agenda for our upcoming ONA special general membership meeting, to be held 2/24 at 6:00 pm in the Calvary Christian Academy cafeteria.

February Oak Leaflet Online!

This month's issue of The Oak Leaflet is now online. Click on the link provided or the image below to catch up on our latest activities and events!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.

Save the Date! Special General Membership Meeting

***ATTENTION:  MEETING POSTPONED***

Due to the impending inclement weather and for the safety of all involved, the meeting between Mercy Culture/Justice Reform is going to be postponed.  We do not as of this writing have a new meeting date but will post as soon as we do.  Please visit Nextdoor or stay tuned for more details.

Attention, Oakhurst!  Click on the image below for details on a special ONA general membership meeting being held on February 3rd at 6:00 pm in the Calvary Christian Academy cafeteria to discuss the proposed human trafficking victims facility along Oakhurst Scenic Drive.

January's Executive Board Meeting Agenda

Click on the image below to view this month's ONA Executive Board meeting agenda (to be held on Thursday, 1/13, at 6:30 pm at Printed Threads, 210 South Fwy, Fort Worth, Texas 76104).

Happy 2022, Oakhurst!

Happy New Year from the Oakhurst Neighborhood Assocation!

This month's edition of the Oak Leaflet is now online. Click here or on the image below to view the results of the ONA Holiday Decorating Contest, see pictures from Santa in the Park, read about the Cielo Place development and the recognition received by ONA's faithful COPs volunteers, and more!

As always, you may visit our newsletter archive to view or download past issues.