Despite all the hubbub surrounding multifamily housing and the ForwardDallas plan, one developer is trying to move forward with his project in Council Member Carolyn King Arnold’s District 4.
As previously relayed by The Dallas Express, City officials have been in conflict with residents and one another over whether Dallas’ proposed comprehensive land use plan will upend single-family neighborhoods. The plan’s emphasis on “density” has many residents spooked, with some speculating that it will result in significant zoning shakeups that will encourage developers to erect multifamily housing projects where they previously were not allowed.
Here’s some of what Candy’sDirt recently published on one development that might get off the ground under the current regime:
During a time when multifamily has become a four-letter word among some Dallas residents, the City Council agreed last week to allow a local developer to build 26 units on the west line of Upton Street between East Clarendon Drive and Viola Street.
The City Plan Commission approved developer Paul Carden’s request in March. It has been deferred by the City Council three times.
The project will include two affordable units with the remainder available at market rate.
Carden, who serves on the city’s Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee, told the City Council the project focuses on high-quality infrastructure, amenities, and accessibility near transit.
“This development will provide 6-foot sidewalks where a bare dirt path exists today and tree-lined streets where residents today are currently exposed to sun and vacancy,” Carden said.
Read the case report.
The project, on a small corner lot of about 22,000 square feet, will provide high-quality housing within walking distance of the Dallas Zoo, which more than a million visitors patronize each year. Carden is volunteering deed restrictions that limit the building height to 50 feet.
“I understand that we want to find a silver bullet to the issues that plague our community, but I ask that the council see this as a small but meaningful step in the right direction,” Carden said at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. “With the City of Dallas improving the alley from its 2017 bond package and with this project handling the infrastructure for the rest of the block, we believe this is the best product we could deliver today for the city, for the community, and for future generations.”
Architect Stephanie Behring told CandysDirt.com after Wednesday’s meeting that renderings would be available soon.