Our clear, crisp fall weather is a good reason to seek out restaurants or bars with outdoor seating. While car-oriented Dallas certainly won’t be confused with Paris in terms of our “sidewalk café” scene, the last few years have seen a proliferation of patios.
What most people don’t realize is that outdoor seating, in a land-use and transportation context, is not addressed by the Dallas Development Code. In fact, some people believe outdoor seating is the only land-use type without parking requirements.
A few years ago, East Dallas residents and representatives of the Dallas Restaurant Association and Greenville Avenue merchants attempted to address this phenomenon through an “Outdoor Seating Ordinance.”
While much was accomplished, the group didn’t reach a mutually agreeable ordinance. But it appears the issue is being revived. Following review by the Advisory Committee at an October meeting, a draft ordinance could be reviewed by the City Plan Commission and, eventually, the City Council.
Regulation of outdoor dining is potentially controversial. Proponents of strict regulation contend a restaurant with outdoor seating receives a “free ride” on what could be part of its parking requirement.
Not being required to provide parking for outdoor patrons can create traffic and parking problems for adjacent neighborhoods. Outdoor intercoms and speakers, as well as crowds of patrons, also create noise concerns in nearby neighborhoods.
Others encourage outdoor seating to create a more vibrant “street scene,” especially in areas such as East Dallas and Oak Lawn. Proponents, particularly restaurateurs, also argue that outdoor dining in Dallas is seasonal, profitable only for short periods of the fall and spring.
Lengthy discussion is likely to precede any decision, but City staff will be looking for a way to encourage street life while balancing traffic, parking and noise in residential areas.
If you would like to learn more about the process, call City planner Ray Couch at 670-4186.
WOODROW NEARING A LANDMARK DECISION: The City Plan Commission has scheduled a December 12 hearing on the Landmark Committee’s recommended historic designation for Woodrow Wilson High School. If approved by the Plan Commission, the designation will be decided by the City Council January 22.
Contact City historic planner Jim Anderson at 670-4132 for information.
BRYAN DISTRICT UPDATE: Amendments to PD #298, the Bryan Area Special Purpose District, will be heard by the Plan Commission December 5, rather than November 7 as previously scheduled. Contact City planner Karl Crawley at 670-4209 for information.
EAST GARLAND ROAD ZONING REQUEST: A zoning case has been filed for a location on East Garland Road, southwest of Winstead, requesting “CR” (Community Retail) zoning. Contact City planner Carrie Gordon at 670-4209 for information.
SKILLMAN-LIVE OAK CHANGE: The City Council scheduled a late October zoning hearing for property adjacent to the Skillman-Live Oak Center, Oram Street east of Skillman. The request seeks a zoning change to Community Retail to legalize underlying zoning for a parking lot adjacent to the center.
Deed restrictions have been offered limiting use of the land to a playground associated with a daycare center or a parking lot.
At press time, the Plan Commission requested the applicant meet with Edgemont Park neighborhood representatives concerning the issue. For more information, call City planner Donna Moorman at 670-4209.
HURRY UP AND WAIT: Among items on hold or under advisement before the Plan Commission are a proposed ordinance governing bicycle parking requirements, the East Dallas “Dry Overlay” District, and parking amendments to PD #281, the Lakewood Special Purpose District. At this time, no specific action is scheduled.
HURRY AND WAIT, TOO: The Planning Department has developed a list of pending projects in planning stages or pending due to lack of staffing. Among items of interest to East Dallas and Lakewood residents are “land use” items such as an East Dallas Land Use Study, a proposed North Fair Park Planned Development District, and a new Citywide Comprehensive Plan and update of the Growth Policy Plan.
In the urban design area, the Peak-Bryan implementation is pending, and an ordinance revision for the Hollywood-Santa Monica area has been discussed.
Zoning and development impact review for the proposed DART station at Mockingbird Lane is pending, and consideration is underway for historic designation of, among other sites, the White Rock Lake Bath House, the Ross Avenue Baptist Church, the Dr Pepper building, and the Juliette Fowler Home.
We’ll let you know about these items as additional details become available.
