Dallas homeowners on Tuesday spoke out against several major changes proposed to add housing to the city.
They said changes that would reduce lot size and increase the number of units allowed on a lot could undermine the character of a single-family residential area.
Despite opposition, the addition of housing had strong support from city council members. A pending citywide land use code review could include changes in limited areas.
The request to review these changes was included in a November memo signed by five City Council members, which prompted Tuesday's meeting.
“I think it's important to talk about this and consider where this already exists,” said City Councilman Adam Bazaldua, one of the five people who signed the request.
This change would require new developments to have much smaller lots than are currently allowed in Dallas.
Buildings that look like single-family homes but have up to four units could be built right next to existing single-family homes on vacant lots in residential neighborhoods without further review by the city.
Developed before the current land-use rules approved in the 1960s, some of Dallas' older neighborhoods contain a mix of residential and private residences up to four stories high.
Bazaldua noted that the new discussion stemmed from a five-person memo that allowed councilors to post issues to the rest of the 15-member City Council.
“And I think it's important for the record not to portray this as some sinister act when staff is working so hard on outdated zoning,” Bazaldua said.
Other Dallas City Council members who signed the memo are Chad West, Jamie Resendez, Janie Schultz and Paula Blackmon.
Bazaldua said he could have attracted more reform supporters to attend Tuesday's meeting.
All homeowners present objected.
“There are a lot of less radical, more targeted, less disruptive solutions to increasing affordable housing,” homeowner Jack Cox said.
Anga Sanders, who lives in south Dallas, said she bought her home 42 years ago.
“Please stop this blatant attempt to destroy our single-family residential neighborhoods. We bought what we wanted years ago,” she said.
Other City Council members who attended the meeting said the changes may be okay in minimal areas, but not citywide.
“Existing single-family neighborhoods are not recognizing their right to accommodate increased density against their wishes,” said City Councilor Paul Ridley.
Other members said their neighbors gave clear instructions.
“They don't really want to build apartment complexes in established single-family neighborhoods of any kind,” said Councilwoman Carla Mendelsohn.
Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold said the debate should end now.
“When we bought the house, we didn't expect anything to change. If the house next door burns down, we're not going to build a duplex next door,” Arnold said. “Today, we should just say no. Let's have the conversation, have a nice vacation, and move on, because single-family residential lots need to be protected with everything they need.”
But the debate comes as the city of Dallas is already considering a complete rewrite of citywide land use rules called “Forward Dallas.”
Planning staff said they hope Forward Dallas will be completed and approved in 2024, and that these changes, including additional work, can be incorporated thereafter.
City Councilman Gay Donnell Willis said additional moderate-income housing is badly needed in Dallas and city officials should encourage ways to build more of it.
“If you're looking for direction, this overarching change is not the vibe I'm feeling from the room,” Willis said.
After years of work on Forward Dallas, Councilman Tennell Atkins said there hasn't been enough opportunity to consider these new changes.
“We need to go out and get residents talking about it,” Atkins said.
Andrea Gil, acting director of planning, said Dallas is lagging behind other cities that have already implemented some of the plans to spur housing growth. Austin is one of the cities in Texas.
Supporters of adding affordable housing in Dallas are also calling for a proposed 2024 Public Improvement Bond to support neighborhood improvements and housing subsidies in Dallas, where housing has become prohibitively expensive. It is asking for a majority referendum.
