The Dallas City Council voted on Wednesday to approve plans to turn Pepper Square in North Dallas into a mixed-use development to allow the construction of an apartment building.
This rezoning has become one of the most discussed topics in Dallas City government over the last three years, with development firm Henry S. Miller offering multiple compromises to single-family residents of the area.
Initial estimations for this project stated that roughly 2,300 units would be added to the area, but that number has been reduced to roughly 1,000 units.
The approved plans will allow Henry S. Miller to construct a 12-story high-rise featuring luxury apartments, with over 800 units expected to be built within the building.
More than three dozen people attended the Dallas City Council meeting to voice their thoughts on the decision, with the vast majority of these speakers telling council members that they disagreed with the rezoning.
Judy Nordseth spoke early in the meeting, saying apartment complexes would ruin the privacy homeowners seek when buying a house.
“If this zoning proposal is approved, the beautiful, peaceful view from my backyard, which is currently trees and beautiful greenery, will be replaced by towering, 12-story buildings. Instead of enjoying the serenity of my home, I’ll have to worry about apartment dwellers looking down from their high spots into my house, my backyard, and my swimming pool, where my 12 grandchildren swim.”
Similarly, Mike Quint said he was confused about why the majority of city council members supported the proposal despite significant resident opposition.
“Many District 11 constituents have been confused as to why our representative has been so supportive of a project its constituency is not,” he explained.
“We can all agree that Pepper Square needs to be reimagined. Such a project can incorporate a residential component, just not at the densities that you would see in an uptown or a Deep Ellum development. The District 11 candidates, one of whom will be your colleague after this spring’s election, oppose this project. Please do not vote today for this project for collegial solidarity. If this were the right vision for Pepper Square, we would all be here in support of it.”
Although the majority of speakers disagreed with the rezoning, multiple speakers supported the development.
Adam Lamont spoke virtually in favor of the change, saying that Pepper Square is the “perfect place for us to add new housing throughout core Dallas.”
“We should keep and make sure that we have affordable units in this complex, and we should make sure, you know, that we have other things that are benefits, not just for the individuals, but for the community.”
Many council members also voiced their opinions, with Council Member Paul Ridley of District 14 claiming that the proposal “does not fully align with Forward Dallas 2.0’s goals of enhancing housing choice, affordability, and quality of life.”
“Redevelopment should not be density for density’s sake. It should add value through thoughtful design. We must also look to provide housing choice, including affordable units of housing,” said Ridley.
“I am shocked that this development is proposing 984 units, none of which will be affordable for people of lower income levels.”
In contrast, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua of District 7 said he would “definitely support this project” and believes the development firm did enough with the residents to compromise on the plans.
“I know that there was extensive community engagement. I understand that the community engagement did not materialize to what it is that the loudest voices wanted. But that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t extensive community engagement opportunities,” said Bazaldua.
“I know that I, not even in a district in the north, have heard from a ton of people. And I’ll be honest with you: not everybody just wants to show up and be on the mic. We’ve gotten a ton of emails that are in support as well. It’s not just in opposition.”