South Dallas is seeing a community vision advance, in the form of rezoning that intends to foster revitalization while preserving the area’s unique character.
Dallas City Council in June approved the long-term plan for the area, after years of community advocacy. The zoning measure could strengthen those recommendations into enforceable policy as new homes fill vacant lots. As early as this month, the zoning plan is expected to go before the City Plan Commission, a recommendation body for the City Council.
The rezoning advances after a series of community meetings with city planners. Residents have voiced concerns about displacement, support for businesses and losing the cultural identity that sets South Dallas apart. Opportunities for a mix of housing options, walkable infrastructure and economic investment are also a factor.
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The process would re-map which areas have what uses, and mainly impact future development, not existing structures. Major corridors could see changes, like the transitioning of a stretch of Fitzhugh Avenue, near Fair Park, from residential to mixed-use.
Changes would direct growth, along with taller buildings, to thoroughfares while residential areas could see design standards like requirements for pitched roofs and porches. Some new buildings cropping up have been called incompatible with the historic community.
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The community meetings kicked off in October. Now, the proposal is expected to be briefed to the plan commission, followed by a public hearing with the commission as early as June, the presentation said. By summer or fall, the zoning plan could arrive at City Council.
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If you’re a South Dallas resident and have thoughts about how your neighborhood is changing, email aria.jones@dallasnews.com.
This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative supported by the Commit Partnership, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Lisa and Charles Siegel, the McCune-Losinger Family Fund, The Meadows Foundation, the Perot Foundation, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas. The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.