After Demolition of Historic Hutsell, Activists Push For Lakewood Conservation District Expansion

While the interiors had been scavenged weeks before, the historic Clifford D. Hutsell-designed home at 7226 Lakewood Blvd. came crashing down on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

It was a painful reminder that, though many historic homes can be found throughout the Lakewood neighborhood, several of them sit outside the boundaries of the Lakewood Conservation District. Unfortunately, a grassroots effort to expand the district that would have saved the home at 7226 Lakewood Blvd. was just too slow.

In an email to those involved in the expansion, leaders decried the destruction of the home and updated readers on the process:

Many neighbors are deeply saddened by the demolition of the Hutsell home at 7226 Lakewood earlier this week. This significant loss underscores the importance for the need for expansion. 

City staff expect to have a draft ordinance released before year end, with 1-2 neighborhood meetings early in 2024 to present the draft. Hopefully in January. 

City staff have taken neighbor feedback into account and worked hard to allow for flexibility in remodeling and new construction, while taking into account the uniqueness of the architecture throughout our neighborhood. Please do not get drawn into the negativity and presumptive commentary from neighbors who so strongly oppose something they have not even seen yet. It will be important to attend the meetings to hear the FACTS about the proposed regulations. 

The process will be as follows – 

• Once the draft is complete, it will be posted to the City’s website, available for review well in advance of the neighborhood meeting(s).
• All neighbors in the expansion area and existing CD will receive a meeting notice in the mail. 
• The City will present the contents of the ordinance at 1-2 meetings. Hopefully these are in January.
• The ordinance will be placed on the City Plan Commissions agenda at least 30 days after the neighborhood meeting(s). 
• At least 10 days prior to the CPC meeting, all neighbors in the expansion area and a defined radius surrounding the boundary will receive a reply card from the City. You may respond with your position on the expansion and all responses are shared with CPC.
• If CPC recommends the ordinance to City Council, a similar process with reply cards will be followed. 
• City Council is the final approval.

All materials from the 15 neighborhood meetings may be found here – https://dallascityhall.com/departments/pnv/Pages/Lakewood-Expansion.aspx.

Please stay positive and watch for updates.