Two weeks ago, several Hollywood Heights/Santa Monica residents attended a city planning commission public hearing to oppose the approval of a zoning application that would allow 13 single-family homes to be built on a 1.5 acre tract of land on Shadyside Lane and East Grand Avenue.
In response to the concerns aired at the July 10 hearing, developers are working on a Planned Development(PD) district to present at the next planning commission meeting, scheduled for Aug. 7. In the PD, landscape retention and density issues will be considered.
J.J. Singh, who represents Megatel at City Hall meetings, says that the HSMNA has communicated to him that the association board is “unanimously on board” with the development plans. He also says that he’s met a couple times with the vocal handful of neighbors wary of new development in the area.
“I understand homeowners who live nearby don’t want construction going on in their backyard, but we’re building nice homes,” Singh says. “It is my understanding that this area formerly had 150 public housing units that were crime-ridden. The land we want re-zoned once housed a gas station and a biker shack that was something like a bar.”
He adds that a commercial development here would generate far more traffic than a residential development.
Last week Singh met with city planners to move forward with submitting plans for a flood study.
“Dallas has strict criteria about building on floodplains. They wouldn’t permit construction on a floodplain if it would damage surrounding area.”
Meanwhile, the $500,00-$700,000 homes available for purchase across the street are still on the market.
Per the Dallas Central Appraisal District website, it appears that none of the Megatel homes are under contract yet. (At the time of publication, the sales office was unable to be reached for confirmation of that, however.)
Singh says that if the 13-single family homes are approved, Kensington Gardens will be a total of 70 residences in the development once all three phases of construction are completed.
