Lakewood Conservation District Supporters Attempt Compromise, Remove Piece of Proposed Expansion Area

Lakewood residents pushing for an expanded area in their conservation district continue to address opposition from a group of neighbors they say are offended by and afraid of a draft ordinance for expansion. 

The ordinance is expected to go before the City Plan Commission in May and ultimately must be approved by the Dallas City Council.

Survey Offers Neighbors a Chance to Sound Off on Lakewood Conservation District Expansion

Summer Loveland, who spearheaded the effort to expand the Lakewood Conservation District boundaries, sent an email to neighbors in late February referencing a direct mail piece from the “No to CD2” group. 

“Please be aware that the messaging is a tactic of the opposition,” the email states. “Do not be misled by their hyperbolic claims.” 

Among the issues that the pro and con crowds are fighting over are the purpose of the expansion, whether it would prevent new construction, whether it infringes on property rights, and whether a legal process was followed. 

“No one is trying to change your home,” the email to supporters states. “No one is trying to turn it into another style. Any features of your home that exist now are grandfathered. No retrofitting is called for whatsoever. If you need to repair or rebuild an existing nonconforming feature, that can be allowed using documented assurance.”

Changes to Conservation District Boundaries

In a subsequent email issued Tuesday, Loveland said representatives from the supporters’ group met with representatives from the “NoToCD2” group, with three City Plan commissioners and City staff.

“We attempted to work with them as neighbors, to reach compromises that would be workable for both groups,” Loveland said in the email. “Our goal was to find a solution that would be agreeable to a strong majority of neighbors. Unfortunately, the ‘no’ group only offered up the idea of us starting over and leaving out several blocks/streets, with only some blocks of Lakewood/Lakeshore remaining. They refused to discuss any actual merits of the draft ordinance.”

Supporters recognize that there are certain blocks which have minimal support and are proposing a revised map to CPC and City staff.

Here’s how the new proposed expansion area changed, according to Loveland:

Based on feedback received, this removes most of Tokalon and Hideaway, and changes the 7000 block of Westlake and 6800 block of Lakeshore to development standards only. This means Architectural standards would not be applied to those two blocks, which is based on the reduced number of homes on those blocks which are one of the five “contributing” styles. 

Email to Lakewood residents regarding revised proposed Conservation District expansion area

“Only City Council can change the map boundaries to remove blocks, but CPC can direct City staff to change certain areas to Developmental-only once the ordinance is presented to CPC (hopefully in May),” Loveland said in her email.

Residents are encouraged to share their feedback with City leaders and Conservation District organizers.

“We want to reach a solution that is agreeable with a strong majority while providing for the preservation of our neighborhood,” Loveland said.