Concerns of gentrification halt duplex construction in Owenwood neighborhood

A zoning request to build a duplex in a neighborhood north of Fair Park led to spirited discussion about the best way to combat the area’s growing gentrification pressure during a February City Plan Commission meeting.

The owner of a lot on the south corner of Fairview Ave. and Winslow Ave. in the Owenwood neighborhood requested an amendment to PD 136 to allow to build a duplex on the lot.

The area is predominantly low-income and is at risk of gentrification as redevelopment and housing pressure has increased south of Fair Park and north of I-30 in East Dallas.

Neighbors and advocates spoke out against the proposal and said the lot should be protected for single-family home zoning. Some commissioners were uncertain if this was the right approach.

Duplexes are already allowed in parts of PD 136, and some decade old single-story duplexes already exist. Furthermore, the PD already allows for construction of a large home on the lot, meaning there’s still potential for the construction of a house that’s uncharacteristic to the rest of the neighborhood.

The owner of the lot, who is not a developer, said they didn’t want to start a fight. Commissioners wondered if it would be better to negotiate deed restrictions to make the duplex fit with the neighborhood.

The amendment request was ultimately denied in a 11 to 4 vote.

“These are some of the hardest cases that I think we see here at the plan commission,” District 15 Commissioner Brent Rubin said. “No doubt this neighborhood… and other neighborhoods like it are under tremendous threat of gentrification and displacement. And right now, that threat exists under the current zoning.”

About the City Plan Commission:

The Dallas City Plan Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the city council regarding planning and zoning matters. It consists of 15 city council- and mayor-appointed members.

Dallas Documenter Sam Judy attended the Feb. 20 Dallas City Plan Commission public meeting, and this brief emerged from his notes. Click here to read Judy’s full notes, and here to learn how you can become a paid Documenter at public meetings.