Rendering of a proposed multifamily development on Willow Street near Santa Fe Trail that was distributed by Bloc House at a public meeting; the plan is subject to change. Rendering courtesy of Bloc House.
Dallas developer Bloc House has submitted a rezone request for an apartment project on a site directly on the Santa Fe Trail.
The 1.29 acre site sits at 4615 Willow St., a funky little street parallel to the trail, sandwiched between Fitzhugh and Carroll.
The request is for a MF2 (A) zoning on a .91 acre piece that is currently zoned commercial service (CS). The remaining .38 acre portion is already zoned MF 2 (A). Commercial service is a wide-ranging zoning classification that includes uses such as a bus terminal, oil and gas drilling, animal shelter, temporary circus and a car wash.
The zoning on this site is a vestige of when it was adjacent to a working Santa Fe railroad line. In fact, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps from 100 years ago show this site was previously a lumber yard.
At Exall Recreation Center on Dec. 12, City Plan Commissioner Joanna Hampton hosted a meeting for neighbors to hear the developer’s story. Bloc House principals Alex Lowe and Jon Hetzel shared their vision for the proposed 72-unit project.
“You can build inherent natural community through design of the shared space you have with your neighbors,” Lowe said. “What we want to do is build a community of the future and build them in a smaller space and give people a place where they can love where they live. The pillars we have are community, health and wellness, and environmental sustainability.”
Hetzel spoke of building smaller units but “giving back in events and knocked out club space,” as well as hitting a target of $200 below the average Dallas monthly apartment rents.
“Our value proposition is take away some individual space in the unit that is rarely used and put it into the community space,” Lowe added.
The site plan shows an inward focus of the front doors toward a common lawn, resident pool and community clubhouse. The walkway into the interior of the project will also serve as the exterior gateway to the trail.
Site plan for proposed multifamily development on Willow Street. Photo courtesy of Bloc House.
The units are smaller than typical one and two bedrooms. Fifty-two units will be 350-square-foot one bedroom, one bath studios. Twenty units will be two bedrooms and 1.5 baths in 783 square feet in two levels. The building will be two stories on the north side and three stories on the south side facing the trail.
To build 72 units, there will be an affordability component required by the city. Bloc House has not decided whether to meet the requirements within the project or by making a financial payment direct to the city. They can do either.
“Because of our smaller units and target rents, we do think we have some natural attainability,” Hetzel said.
Patty Simon, the president of the nearby Peak’s Addition Neighborhood Association and Jim Anderson, the vice president, supported the rezone given the commercial and industrial nature of the current zoning. They did suggest Bloc House try to enhance the design elements of the building façade that faces the trail.
The volunteer support group Friends of Santa Fe Trail has met with Bloc House but has yet to take a position in support or opposition.
“I can tell you we are generally very supportive of adding new neighbors, which we believe helps build a more resilient trail community,” said Samuel Mortimer, president-elect of Friends of Santa Fe Trail. “From a land-use perspective, empty trail-facing lots (whatever the zoning) do not advance our goals as an organization, build community or represent the highest/best use for the property itself. The property developer at 4615 Willow approached us this summer with a preliminary version of their proposal and a concept that was ripe for building a long-term relationship with a residential community. We are excited to participate in rezoning discussions focused on this specific lot, as well as partner with any other East Dallas development team that is interested in trail orientated development and community building.”
Bloc House is anticipated to appear at the Jan. 19 meeting of the plan commission to seek approval.
