Weatherford planning commission approves three rezones and an electronic message sign

The Weatherford Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved three zoning map amendments and a conditional use permit at its July 8 meeting, clearing the items to move forward to the City Council for final consideration.

Staff member Mr. McDonald presented each item and recommended approval. For a roughly 4.569-acre tract at 1798 Northwest, staff recommended changing the land from AG (agriculture) to C-1 (general commercial) and granting a conditional use permit to allow a contractor office with outside vehicle storage; Mr. McDonald said the proposal includes screening along Zion Hill, additional landscaping and façade improvements, and that stored equipment would be screened from public view. "Staff does recommend approval of the zoning map general plan amendment as well as the conditional use permit," Mr. McDonald said.

On 725 Red Oak Lane, staff recommended rezoning a property long used commercially from R-1 (single-family) to C-1 so it can legally operate and display signage. Neighbor Jimmy Rodriguez told the commission he received no mailed notice, said he learned of the project by word of mouth and urged the city to address traffic, speeding near the nearby school and parking overflow. Mr. McDonald said staff would meet with the resident after the meeting and noted that an attorney's office currently uses the site and that an established parking lot exists.

The commission also approved a zoning change at 313 South Elm, moving the parcel from R-2 (two-family) to CN (Central Neighborhood) to allow the owner to use part of the building for office space rather than residential housing. Commissioners asked whether signage in residential-adjacent areas would be restricted; Mr. McDonald said additional limitations apply—especially around illumination and design—to keep signs unobtrusive.

Finally, the commission approved a conditional use permit for a freestanding electronic message center (EMC) monument sign at 122 Fort Worth Highway to replace an existing pole sign for the Vintage Car Museum. Staff showed a district map of existing sign types and said the proposed sign would have a static top portion identifying the museum and a lower EMC portion intended for community messaging. The proposed EMC portion is described in staff materials as roughly 9 feet wide by 12 feet high; the existing pole sign was described as approximately 21 feet tall. Applicant Tony Aaron said the new sign would use stone and colors to match the building and is intended for tasteful community messages rather than distracting displays: "I don't think it's gonna be like that," he said of a flashy sign, adding that the sign would match the building's design.

The chair recorded motions and unanimous approval for each item; the commission's approvals send the rezones and the sign permit to the City Council for final action. Commissioners asked that staff ensure permitting reviews cover illumination limits, sign placement and any required surveys or easement checks before construction permits are issued.

Votes at a glance: approval of minutes (motion moved by Kathy Wiley, second Sharon Hayes; passed unanimously); item 3a (rezone and CUP for 1798 Northwest; motion recorded as moved by Sharon Hayes, second Kathy Wiley; passed unanimously); item 3b (rezoning at 725 Red Oak Lane; motion recorded from Terry Hughes with a second, passed unanimously); item 3c (rezoning at 313 South Elm to CN; motion/second recorded and passed unanimously); item 3d (CUP for EMC at 122 Fort Worth Highway; motion by Zach Cray, second Kathy Wiley; passed unanimously).

The approvals are recommendations to the City Council; staff noted that permitting and technical review (illumination levels, location surveys, easements and construction materials) remain separate steps before any sign or site work can proceed.