South Dallas on the verge of ‘monumental’ zoning change

Sweeping zoning changes to more than 3,000 acres of South Dallas are on the verge of approval after passing through Dallas’ City Plan Commission earlier this month.

The zoning amendments to the South Dallas/Fair Park Special Purpose District, or PD 595, now head to Dallas City Council for a public hearing and potential adoption.

The changes aim to revitalize South Dallas while protecting neighbors from displacement, and come after years of city staff development, a COVID-19 delay, a guiding area plan and numerous community meetings.

PD 595 was initially approved in 2001 to help redevelopment and zoning standards through specific subdistricts with various uses. Over the next two decades, the PD has been modified over 30 times, according to city staff reports, showing changing zoning needs and priorities. 

Residents view some of PD 595’s current standards as too strict to promote the neighborhood’s economic growth while simultaneously being too relaxed for new home builds, creating “grossly incompatible” housing.

The amendments would change the PD’s subdistricts, namely by applying mixed-use districts along major corridors that are strictly commercial or industrial, and by introducing design standards for single-family homes and duplexes that are compatible with the area’s character.

The amendments were approved and advanced to city council during an emotional May 21 City Plan Commission meeting, where community leaders spoke in support and Commission Chair Brent Rubin called it was “the most monumental and consequential zoning case” the commission has seen in nearly a decade.

The city council public hearing and potential vote for the PD 595 change is scheduled for June 10.

Watch the 5/7 CPC meeting, where the case was briefed, here.
Watch the 5/21 CPC meeting, where the amendments were approved, here.