Category: Zoning

Short Term Rental Update

After thorough consideration by the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee (ZOAC) members voted on October 4th to recommend the following amendments of the Dallas City Code to the City Plan Commission, regarding Short Term Rentals (STR):

1.) Create a Purpose Statement which would establish regulations to protect the health and safety of occupants of Short-Term Rental properties, protect the integrity of the districts in which Short-Term Rental properties operate, and preserve the neighborhood character of residential districts within the city, and minimize adverse impacts to the housing supply caused by the conversion of residential units to transient use.

2.) Amend Chapters 51 and 51A of the Dallas Development Code, adding a new definition to the Development Code that classifies Short-Term Rental as a Lodging Use, which would make it consistent with the Tax Code, and permit them only in zoning districts where commercial lodging uses are currently allowed.

The proposed amendments will now be placed on the City Planning Commission (CPC) docket for a public hearing. CPC will receive a briefing from city staff on Nov 17, followed by a public hearing allowing public input on Dec 8. In tandem, City staff is developing Code Regulations which would govern the operation of STRs, associated registration and fees, and STR platform accountability. Upon approval at CPC, these would go to City Council for a public hearing either in December or early next year.  The City Council makes the final decision on all Development Code amendments, which go into effect upon approval.

by Crime Watch Coordinator

Lowest Greenville PD Passes, Unanimously!

For a very long time, our crime watch has been warning people about the growing level of violent crime on Lowest Greenville Ave, in the area between Belmont and Ross. For over a year, LGNA along with M-Streets, Vickery Place, Hudson Heights, Lowest Greenville West and the Belmont NA have worked with Councilmembers Hunt and Medrano and CPC Commissioner Bill Peterson to create a Planned Development District along Lowest Greenville Ave from Belmont down to Bryan. With support of a couple of the major property owners and several business owners, the City Council officially passed the PD on Wednesday in a unanimous vote. Although there was an organized opposition, they chose not to appear at the council hearing. Continue reading “Lowest Greenville PD Passes, Unanimously!”

by Crime Watch Coordinator

Lowest Greenville PD Comes to Vote

The Lowest Greenville Planned Development is an effort to resolve some of the persistent crime problems caused by a small number of bars on Lowest Greenville which have consistently drawn violent crime into the area. The plan is working its way through the City of Dallas zoning process at this time. The message below from Angela Hunt and the six area neighborhood associations describes how you can help us get this proposal passed. There is an organized opposition which wishes to continue business as usual, so your support is needed. Please take a moment to email the CPC with your support of this proposal.

Next week, the City Plan Commission will vote whether to recommend a proposal to require Lower Greenville businesses to get a permit from the city to operate after midnight. This effort enjoys broad, unprecedented support from all surrounding neighborhood associations, major property owners, business owners, the Dallas Police Department, and City Councilmembers Angela Hunt and Pauline Medrano.  Continue reading “Lowest Greenville PD Comes to Vote”

by Crime Watch Coordinator

Lowest Greenville Planned Development

Councilmembers Angela Hunt brought her proposed Lowest Greenville planned development (PD) district to residents of the Lower Greenville area on Thursday, July 29. At the community meeting Angela, along with other city representatives, and area neighborhood associations outlined the strategy for making Lowest Greenville (Belmont to Bryan) more neighborhood friendly by reducing crime in the area. The intent of the strategy is simple – create a PD district running along Greenville Avenue south of Belmont. The PD would require any business operating after a certain hour –midnight, for example – to obtain an SUP (Special Use Permit) from the City in order to remain open.  The board of your Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association unanimously approved the plan and pledged to support the effort. LGNA urges our area’s residents to ask questions and learn more. 

Angela has provided us with an informational flyer, please read on to learn more…. Continue reading “Lowest Greenville Planned Development”

by Crime Watch Coordinator

Form Based Zoning Primer

Neighborhoods and Developers agree, but City Staff does not.   
Where are the hundreds of thousands of people slated to move into the Dallas area over the next 25 years going to live?  Up until now, the approach has been to build new housing developments at the growing edges of the city.  While shopping and schools generally followed, automobile travel was a necessity.  Now, the edges of town are further away.  Commutes grow longer and more expensive.  And lots more people are coming. With the at least two potential redevelopment sites on Greenville Ave, the Arcadia site and the Whole Foods site, this matter is of great importance to our neighborhood. Continue reading “Form Based Zoning Primer”

by Crime Watch Coordinator