Dallas City Council members are debating whether to allow up to four units on lots currently zoned for single-family housing.
City staff briefed the Housing Homelessness Solutions Committee about the proposal earlier this week. During the specially called meeting, several Dallas residents spoke before the committee to argue against the measure, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Even council members who do not serve on the committee attended the December 19 briefing, citing the importance of the proposal.
In general, opponents assert that Dallas residents want more single-family homes, while supporters urge that more housing options are needed. City staff contended that the proposal is not an “affordable housing” measure but would increase the housing options in Dallas.
However, several officials were not persuaded. They argued that the unit increase would functionally eliminate single-family housing in Dallas by codifying a “right” to develop tri-plexes and four-plexes in single-family neighborhoods, saying their constituents opposed the measure.
In particular, council members representing districts in southern Dallas claimed that the proposal does not address the needs of their residents.
“They’re asking for single-family homes. We’re asking for market rate,” said Council Member Carolyn King Arnold (District 4). “They’re not asking for duplexes and tri-plexes … they want housing where their children can grow up in the house, play in the backyard, and live a normal life.”
“My residents are completely against it,” said Council Member Tennell Atkins (District 8). “We need to make sure our residents, our citizens, in the southern part of Dallas understand what this is doing. This can’t be a one-shoe-fits-all.”
Council Member Zarin D. Gracey (District 3) added that the city’s “housing problem” must be discussed. However, “the position has been very clear from an array of residents within multiple districts that this is not something we are ready to move forward with at this time.”
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn (District 12) noted that staff emphasized the “equity” of the measure to increase housing options in Dallas but asked, “Where is the equity for people who actually prefer a single-family neighborhood?”
“I want to make this clear: I support density. I support having more people be able to live in the City of Dallas, but it has to be in the appropriate place,” said Council Member Jesse Moreno (District 2). “This cannot be a blanket approach.”
Officials also expressed concerns about how this proposal would impact street parking, as more cars parked on the street would make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to make their way through Dallas neighborhoods.
Furthermore, council members said moving forward with this proposal without more community engagement is folly.
“This is going too fast,” said Moreno. “I appreciate the comments from staff that this is just a discussion, but I’m not sure it’s even a discussion that’s supported broadly.”
Council Member Adam Bazaldua (District 7) argued that his colleagues on the horseshoe were too harsh on staff, as the proposal was suggested not by staff but by elected leaders.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Council Member Chad West (District 1) initially put forth the measure in a memo requesting a conversation on this topic. The memo was co-signed by council members Bazaldua, Paula Blackmon (District 9), Jaime Resendez (District 5), and Jaynie Schultz (District 11).
Bazaldua referred to the December 19 meeting as a “dog and pony show,” asserting that it was called on the week of Christmas, knowing West was unavailable to attend.
“This is clearly an attempt to stifle the democratic process that we have in our city,” Bazaldua accused.
Council members Bazaldua, West, and Blackmon released a joint statement on December 20 in response to the special-called meeting.
“Protecting and preserving the diverse neighborhoods in Dallas has always been our main focus, along with starting this conversation around how our city moves forward,” they said. “We are committed to continuing this conversation through the ordinary process of community meetings, the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee (ZOAC), the city plan commission, council committee, and finally a council vote.”
“It is important for all of our city residents to participate in this discussion as this will set a trajectory for how our city allows for both growth and preservation for future generations,” the statement continued. “Dallas is now a mature city. Everyone should be able to have the economic freedom to choose a community that works for them, and we believe the policy proposals will do just that.”
No action has been taken on the proposal. City leaders will continue these conversations in the new year.
