A Dallas neighborhood has gained new protections. On April 24, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved the South Winnetka Heights Conservation District Ordinance, which protects the area’s historic development patterns and encourages development that is compatible with the existing housing stock.
The neighborhood is part of the Winnetka Heights neighborhood, which was built in 1908. The majority of the homes are in the Craftsman and Transitional Bungalow styles, with 91 of the 95 homes built before 1939.
It’s a neighborhood-led initiative that began in 2019 and marks the city’s first new conservation district since 2011, the eighth in Oak Cliff and the 18th citywide, according to the announcement.
“I am thrilled to see the creation of this new conservation district in Oak Cliff, thanks to the determination of our residents and the hard work of our city staff who overcame obstacles like the COVID-19 pandemic and a ransomware attack,” said City Council Member Chad West. “As we strategically plan for Dallas’ growth, we must consider both our architectural history and our cultural preservation simultaneously. While it may be difficult to achieve both, we can and must achieve both.”
Michael “Patty” Evans is a local resident who led the effort to establish the conservation district.
“After four years of coming together to serve our community, we are excited and relieved that the City of Dallas agrees that we and our community are important and that the reasons we chose to live in South Winnetka Heights are worth protecting,” Evans said.
Support from neighbors was widespread, with 76 percent of property owners signing a petition to start the process.
Several other districts in District 1 have also filed paperwork to begin the process of establishing new conservation districts in their areas.
City Council also voted to create a new Special Sign District (SPSD) for the Wynwood Village Shopping Center. The 80-year-old shopping center is set to host a number of new stores, including Target. The new SPSD will preserve historic signs, such as the original Wynwood Village pylon sign, with the condition that traditional signs be maintained.
