Planning in NRH

The City of North Richland Hills has been involved in the regional rail planning process since 2002, when regional rail was first identified as a major objective by the City Council.

City Staff and City Council Members participated in the 2003/2004 Regional Rail Corridor Study completed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). At that time, North Richland Hills hoped to established at least one potential commuter rail stop on the Cotton Belt line, which runs from downtown Fort Worth to the north end of DFW Airport. At the completion of the Regional Rail Corridor Study final recommendations included two rail station sites in North Richland Hills as a result of area demographics and potential commuter rail demand.

A concept transit map was created and the two potential stations were appropriately named Iron Horse and Smithfield. In 2006, the City renamed Industrial Park Boulevard to Iron Horse Boulevard to signal a change in development patterns and to promote the establishment of a future rail stop along this thoroughfare near N.E. Loop 820. The Smithfield rail stop is planned to be located in the old Smithfield area off of Main Street and Davis Boulevard.

In 2006, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority continued planning efforts with the Southwest to Northeast Corridor Study which focused on identifying the most appropriate means of transportation for moving people from southwest Fort Worth to the north end of DFW Airport. This study identified that the "locally preferred alternative" for expanding transportation services to Northeast Tarrant County and DFW Airport was Regional Rail along the Cotton Belt rail line. The study included the conceptual plans for commuter rail stations along this route, including the proposed Iron Horse and Smithfield stations.

In 2007, the City of North Richland Hills updated its Comprehensive Land Use Plan to include future mixed use development around the proposed Iron Horse and Smithfield stations.

The City of North Richland Hills is currently working with Gateway Planning Group to develop a Transit Oriented Mixed Use Development Code to govern future development around the Iron Horse and Smithfield stations sites. Key aspects of the code will include defining unique character districts, establishing building and streetscape guidelines, civic and open spaces, and parking. Property owners in both the Iron Horse and Smithfield development areas have been invited to participate in the creation of the Transit Oriented Mixed Use Development Code. The North Richland Hills Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council are also involved in this process.

To learn more about the Transit Oriented Development Code, click here.