The Dallas Redistricting Commission is moving forward with two maps to redraw district boundaries.
Commissioners have been meeting since January to evaluate dozens of submissions from residents, following the recent U.S. Census. Data revealed that District 14’s population was nearly 14,000 higher than the ideal number. District 9’s population was about 3,000 lower than the ideal population.
The commissioners settled on maps 17 and 41 and will begin tweaking them next week. Map 17 was submitted by commissioners Randall Bryant, Bob Stimson and Roy Lopez, and map 41 was submitted by East Dallas residents Melanie Vanlandingham and Darren Dattalo.
The commission could decide on a final map to recommend to the mayor and City Council as early as May 9, and then the council has 45 days to alter and approve a map; otherwise, the version the commission recommended would be adopted. The new map will be in effect by the next City Council election in May 2023.
Maps 17 and 41 both have the population of the proposed District 14 below the ideal number and the population of the proposed District 9 above the ideal number.
There are also landmarks that both maps include in the same district. The entire Gaston-Garland-Grand intersection is located in District 9 in both maps; the current one has parts of the intersection in districts 2, 9 and 14.
And Lakewood Country Club is located in District 9 in both maps. Right now, it’s located in District 14.
But there are key differences in how East Dallas is divided.
Here are some distinctions to note:
Map 17, submitted by commissioners Randall Bryant, Bob Stimson and Roy Lopez.
Lakewood Shopping Center is included in District 9, along with the C Streets — Casa Loma, Clayton and Coronado. The neighborhoods between Abrams Road and Central Expressway, including Lower Greenville, Lakewood Heights and the M Streets, are all in District 9.
The Village is lopped into District 13, which includes Preston Hollow and Bluffview and other parts of North Dallas.
District 14 does not include anything east of Central Expressway. Instead, it includes Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Downtown and a northern section of Oak Cliff. That means District 14 Council member Paul Ridley would not reside in the district he represents.
Map 41, submitted by Melanie Vanlandingham and Darren Dattalo.
Lakewood Shopping Center, the C Streets, Lakewood Heights, Lower Greenville and the M Streets are in District 14, along with Knox/Henderson, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Uptown and parts of Downtown.
The Village is in District 9, along with Vickery Meadow.
