As reported, the City Plan Commission addressed the proposed East Dallas Dry Overlay District April 9. During briefing session discussion, it became obvious that the full commission would not vote to approve the overlay.
(The overlay, as you recall, would make existing businesses selling alcohol within the overlay “non-conforming”, meaning they would need a specific use permit to continue operating. The affected area in East Dallas is roughly bounded by Fitzhugh, San Jacinto, Peak and the Santa Fe railroad tracks).
After conferring with neighborhood activists supporting the overlay, the commission agreed to defer action for six month in an attempt to rally support. The commission also appointed a task force, chaired by Rene Martinez, to study the East Dallas overlay in particular, as well as the use of overlay in particular, as well as the use of overlay districts in general.
The next task force meeting is May 12 at 2 p.m. in City Hall Room 6E S, 1500 Marilla, and neighborhood input is encouraged. The group is considering holding one or more public hearings in various parts of the City.
Current task force sentiment appears to be that existing enforcement tools (the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Dallas Police Department) are adequate to address the problem bars and liquor-related businesses.
Neighborhood activists contend these tools haven’t been used effectively or consistently to remedy the violence and other problems associated with liquor-related uses. Complicating the debate are concerns that a dry overlay is “anti-business” or “prohibitionist”.
Now is the time to make your voice heard. Call me at 520-2040 if you have questions, and I’ll be happy to discuss them with you.
CALLING ALL TOWERS: A proposed City ordinance governing the siting of cellular telephone towers has been approved by the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee and will be heard by the Plan Commission May 7.
Among the issues addressed in the proposed ordinance are guidelines governing how close the towers can be to residential areas and regulating tower height. Questions also have been raised concerning technical aspects of power and frequency used, and the potential health and safety affects of microwave or other radiation, if any, emitted by the towers.
If approved by the Plan Commission, the ordinance will be debated by the City Council. If you have questions, call City planners Ray Couch (670-4133) or David Cossum (670-5803) for more information.
CHILD-CARE USE SOUGHT: An application for a Specific Use Permit for a child-care facility at 817 Martinique, south of Lindsley, is scheduled for consideration by the Plan Commission May 14. A copy of the application was not available at press time, but interested residents should contact P.J. Young, Plan Commission secretary (670-3086), to find out more about the application.
I THINK THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN: Updating last month’s item about tree preservation in Dallas, the City has proposed preservation in Dallas, the City has proposed a preservation ordinance to encourage preservation and maintenance of existing – and especially “old growth” – trees.
The Plan Commission voted April 23 to refer the proposed ordinance back to the Zoning Advisory Committee at its May 11 meeting to study the matter more thoroughly.
One issue that may become controversial is whether the proposed ordinance should apply to residential property as well as commercial property. As the ordinance is drafted, only commercial properties are affected.
The Advisory Committee meeting is open to the public and is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. May 11 in Room 6E S of Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla. Contact City Planner Ray Couch 670-4133) for information.
NON-CONFORMING DELAYS: Last month, I reported that City staff was proposing changes to the procedure for terminating non-conforming uses at the Board of Adjustment. Prior to the Zoning Advisory Committee’s consideration, City staff concluded additional study time was necessary.
Some neighborhood activists already had contacted staff members to express their concerns regarding any procedures that might reduce the power of adjoining property owners to take action to terminate non-conforming uses.
Although this issue may sound relatively obscure, it is important in allowing neighborhoods to close obnoxious and intrusive land uses, such as lead smelters and crime- and violence-infested bars and motels.
WHITHER DART AND EAST DALLAS: The latest allegations and controversy surrounding DART bear close attention, because they may impact land and use, growth and development in East Dallas.
After years of struggling, East Dallas neighborhoods fronting North Central Expressway believed they had won an important victory – not only with the current Texas Highway Department design for Central, but especially with the DART subway tunnel from Mockingbird to Downtown. Many inner city activists believe it is time for DART to begin its rail-line construction. To the extent the latest controversies delay construction, related planning issues for East Dallas will be impacted.
While DART has had its share of problems and missteps, many in local government have never accepted the legitimacy of the regional transit authority and its plans, and these same people may have other agendas behind the surface of the newspaper stories.
