In recent weeks, the Walnut Hill neighborhood has seen an influx of red-on-white “NO REZONE” signs, indicating growing discontent among residents over a proposed development by Crescent Estates Custom Homes.
This development aims to rezone a parcel of land previously occupied by a church that was severely damaged in the October 2019 tornado.
Local residents have expressed their fears and concerns through a flood of letters to council member Gay Donnell Willis and plan commissioner Larry Hall, opposing the construction of 50 million-dollar patio homes on 1,650-square-foot lots.
The land in question covers 3.7 acres of abandoned parking lots and tall grass, with critics arguing that building so many homes in close proximity to existing residences is an inappropriate change for the community.
At a recent community meeting at the Walnut Hill Recreation Center, nearly two months ahead of the subsequent plan commission meeting, strong opposition was voiced against the developer’s original proposal for 60 homes.
Participants were vocal in their disapproval, with one resident declaring the plan “DOA.”
Despite the uproar, the proposal moved forward and was discussed again at a meeting in Dallas City Hall, where 20 residents, armed with their perspectives, voiced their opposition directly to the plan commission.
One resident, John Wimberley, remarked that the meeting felt performative, asserting that it was predetermined and would not lead to any substantive change.
Virginia Worley, a long-time resident since 1967, asked, “Why should our neighborhood be sacrificed because this is what the city wants to see?”
The sentiment among residents seems to be that the Commission merely serves as an extension of developers.
During the meeting, one commissioner scolded residents for the tone of their opposition letters, reflecting the discord between the residents and city officials.
In response to the concerns raised, Council member Willis consulted the 960-home Walnut Hill Homeowners Association (WHHA) for feedback, which ultimately convened a meeting last month.
Although over 80 people attended, opinions varied, highlighting divisions within the WHHA regarding the development.
WHHA second vice president Marla Hartsell conveyed that there was a consensus on desiring compromise, albeit through different methods.
While Hartsell and others sought to approach the issue discreetly, Wimberley took a more visible stand against the development.
He gathered neighbors unfamiliar with the city’s workings, attempting to galvanize their involvement and advocate for their interests.
Yet, he warned them that further efforts would be needed as the case would soon be taken to the City Council.
As expected, the plan passed with a near-unanimous vote at the commission level, with only one commissioner, Tom Forsyth from South Oak Cliff, defending the residents and criticizing the commission’s handling of zoning laws.
Despite the diversity of voices in the community, many residents have expressed a willingness to embrace new housing development, but many feel the scale and density of the current proposal are excessive.
They have called for fewer than 50 homes to be built and have requested larger lot sizes and lower building heights, arguing that such a drastic change is not appropriate for their neighborhood.
Residential architect Laura Juarez Baggett encapsulated the residents’ frustrations when she stated, “You just cannot solve the housing problem in Dallas by putting that many houses on that small of a property.”
The developers have reportedly threatened to propose an apartment complex if the neighborhood did not acquiesce to their current demands, adding further urgency to the residents’ appeal for compromise.
Philip Kingston, the zoning attorney for the developer, claimed there had been good-faith efforts to address neighbors’ concerns, noting that adjustments to the plan included the removal of townhouses and the addition of small open spaces.
However, many residents rejected this interpretation, feeling as though their voices had been sidelined and their concerns reduced to mere obstacles.
A number of frustrated attendees left the meeting early, with Wimberley following up with an email the next day, noting that the city’s development guidelines have seemingly been disregarded in favor of development interests.
The discord surrounding the proposed development underscores a larger debate on how urban housing solutions should be structured in Dallas.
While residents support increased housing availability, the emphasis remains on a development model that prioritizes harmony with existing community character and needs.
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