Dallas Admits Elm Thicket Permits Were Issued Erroneously, Builders Ordered to Stop Work
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Editor’s Note: This story was updated at noon on Saturday, Aug. 3, to include a memorandum from Interim Assistant City Manager Robin Bentley about the Elm Thicket/Northpark permits.
The Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood — where residents mobilized almost two years ago to protect the former Freedman’s Community from displacement and noncompliant construction — was peppered recently with more than two dozen “stop work” orders telling home builders that their projects don’t comply with the area’s approved zoning requirements. That’s a problem because some projects are already complete.
Although recipients of the dreaded “red tags” didn’t have the proper zoning, the City of Dallas erroneously approved their plans and issued permits anyway. City officials admit this in emails, encouraging builders — some of whom had already completed construction on these homes — to tear down and start over or make an appeal before the Board of Adjustment.
Elm Thicket PD-67 Designation
The rezoning stems back a few years when developers first took notice of the Love Field neighborhood and began building modern monstrosities like the much-panned $3.96 million Tron House. After neighbors fought to preserve the character of their Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood, the area was “downzoned” in October 2022 and designated as Planned Development District 67 (PD-67), restricting things like lot coverage and roof construction.
Builders who had already filed permits before October 2022 would be grandfathered in to complete construction. More than 85 permits have been issued for the downzoned area since October 2022, according to city records filtered by the advocacy group “Save Elm Thicket.” Some of those projects are in compliance; some are not.
Stop Work
But what happens when permits are issued, plans are approved, and construction is nearly complete on a project — then a “stop work” order is issued saying that structure can’t be built there?
That’s what happened to Danny Le. The founder of F80 Capital got his permit for a duplex at 6529 Victoria Ave. in January 2023. Le had poured the foundation and installed plumbing for his duplex, building up to the third floor before he got a red tag notice to shut down.
“All our plans were approved and stamped by the city,” Le told CandysDirt.com. “We put in a lot of money, a lot of investment, to our projects. For a larger builder or developer, they might be able to take the hit. They’re not going to be happy about it, but for somebody like myself, it’s all my life savings.”
Le is not alone. He said there are about 30 projects in the area that received “stop work” orders as of late July.
How Does That Happen?
Whether or not the builders knew about the zoning change shouldn’t have mattered; the city shouldn’t have issued permits for construction that doesn’t meet the approved requirements, both neighbors and builders like Le say.
“Some people submitted their application before the zoning went into place and some people submitted it after, but the city never updated their zoning system for up to six months afterward,” Le said. “Everybody who was applying based on the old zoning figured it was the same zoning because nobody knew the zoning had changed.”
The city may have discovered its own error when Elm Thicket residents reported several projects as noncompliant. In April and May of this year, “Save Elm Thicket” reported 7614 Linwood Ave, 7614 Roper St., and 6801 Tyree St. to the city. In the case of 6801 Tyree St. not only did it have a flat-roof design it also was violating the land use map where a duplex was being built on a single-family lot.
“The DSD responded, saying no violations were found,” Save Elm Thicket’s Gus Perez told CandysDirt.com. “Save Elm Thicket [pressed the DSD to explain why and] provided a copy of PD-67 and the Land Use Map. A few weeks later, the DSD confirmed they erred in allowing the building permits to be issued because the systems and processes the inspectors use were never updated after PD-67 was passed in October 2022. The inspectors were using the old zoning to approve the permits.”
Perez provided several email exchanges with Zoning Supervisor Michael Herron dating back to January of this year, establishing that inspectors were reviewing projects reported as noncompliant.
A red tag was issued recently at 6801 Tyree St., where developer Akber Meghani of Grand Development is building. Among his limited options, Meghani has already filed an appeal with the Board of Adjustment that reportedly will be heard on Aug. 20.
‘I Don’t Know What to Do’
Meanwhile, Le said he’s not sure what to do with his duplex.
The builder said he’s already invested about $600,000.
“They’re telling me because they issued [the permit] in error, it’s not their fault,” Le said. “I have to tear down my building or comply. I’m not allowed to build my duplex because the zoning is single-family. It’s not like you can just rip out the wall. You have to start over.”
Even if he did start over, he’s still got big problems with the size of his foundation. His lot coverage is 45% and the requirement is 40%.
“They told me one option is to tear the building down and make it conform,” Le said. “I’d have to tear everything down to the slab and start new again and design plans all over again, or go to the Board of Adjustment. I don’t know what to do.”
Herron and the inspector Michael Casmer did not respond to CandysDirt.com’s interview requests. Further requests to high-ranking Dallas zoning officials were forwarded to city spokesman Rick Erickson, who responded Friday night saying a memo was forthcoming. Here’s the memo from Interim Assistant City Manager Robin Bentley to the Dallas City Council which was made public around noon on Saturday.
Save Elm Thicket Continues Its Advocacy
When Elm Thicket/Northpark was granted the zoning change more than a year ago, neighbors were told it was their responsibility to “police new structures being built,” said Myrna Dartson, a legacy resident of the historic Elm Thicket neighborhood which settled as a Freedman’s Town in the late 1800s.
“It was on Elm Thicket neighbors to report any structures to DSD that we believed were out of compliance, and that is what we did,” she said. “When we reported the violations and the city came back and said that no violations were found, we persisted as we always have and we always will.”
The Elm Thicket resident Perez and his wife Mimi, a weekly columnist and photographer for CandysDirt.com, run the Save Elm Thicket website and have reported several properties to the City of Dallas that they believe are noncompliant. They document their findings for neighbors in a Save Elm Thicket newsletter, which recently included a timeline of the alleged violations in their August newsletter.
Elm Thicket/Northpark residents will “stand united and oppose any appeal to the Board of Adjustment,” Dartson added. Neighbors plan to attend the hearing scheduled for Aug. 20.
“New structures in Elm Thicket/ Northpark need to follow the new building requirements. You better believe that Elm Thicket/Northpark neighbors will continue to ensure that new homes comply with the new building standards,” Dartson said. “The days of our voices being marginalized are over.”
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You know there is a thing called consequences. In my honorable opinion, the bottom line is the city screwed up and needs to pay the builders back for their expenses. Those are consequences for not doing your job, not knowing your own rules, and guess what? If they PAY for their mistakes, I doubt those mistakes will happen again.
This reminds me of the movie Dumb & Dumber.
The City Council “dumb-zones” Elm Thicket/North Park in Oct 2022 but it takes 6 months to update the Zoning Department on the rule changes. During the 6 months the Zoning Department approves X number of plans and issues permits. A neighborhood “advocacy” group gets in the City Attorney’s ear and demands all issued permits are reviewed. It is discovered there are 30 permits issued in error and the City Attorney makes the City issue stop work orders on 30 active construction projects in a transitional neighborhood?
Dumb.
So now, construction sites are sitting vacant & boarded up, workers are put out of jobs and the Builders, who believed in the neighborhood and invested in it themselves, are dealt a catastrophic blow.
Dumber.
A little research showed there are +/- 2400 homes in Elm Thicket/NorthPark. 50% of the homes in the neighborhood are new or renovated in accord with old development standards. And we are worried about a mere 30 homes (slightly more than 1%) that met the old development standards but not the new development standards?
Dumbest…
It is time to stop the insanity. It is time for a City Leader to step up and change the effective date of the Zoning changes to when ever Zoning & Planned Development was made aware of the changes. Allow these Builder’s to Move Forward Dallas! with their approved plans and quit wasting time & money?
Otherwise, we all just continue to get Dumber & Dumber…
Agree, except that remember when you say “city should pay” that is really our tax dollars at work. So we all end up paying for this absolute ridiculous lack of accountability. And we wonder, we really wonder, why builders prefer building outside the city of Dallas.
Yes, if the city pays, we all pay. But I don’t see any fairness to the builders who were granted permits and started work in good faith. I see the importance of preserving the character of neighborhoods, but to say “Oops, we made a mistake, and it’s YOUR problem” is not the answer. I have a feeling a lot more than “appeals to the Board of Adjustment” will be filed.
The fact that something like this happened is pathetic. There are too many people up and down the ranks that should have known that information systems were not updated to the latest code requirements. Lower levels should be written up/warned and the upper levels should be fired. Consequences indeed.
Also, making the City “pay” may look like a consequence, but it’s not…unless you mean a consequence for the citizens of Dallas who pay the bills. Perhaps the “then City Manager T.C. Broadnax”, with his pockets full of Dallas severance pay money, would be willing to pitch in and help (sic).
This is a case of the City of Dallas saying, “Sorry, NOT SORRY”!
It is also a case of the developers and investors NOT DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE, in making sure they knew what the zoning was and WHAT THAT MEANT.
If they are trying to say that they didn’t understand what a Neighborhood Protection Overlay is, then they should not be developers.
These builders were trying to cram in a use THEY KNEW or should have known was no longer allowed.
This is a hot area and they knew that as well. As usual, the City of Dallas proved to be a BAD BOYFRIEND to both residents and developers.
Even though the City HAS ADMITTED THAT PERMITS WERE ISSUED IN ERROR, don’t think for a minute that they will pay developers for their losses. Look for the City to hide behind the “ERRORS and OMISSIONS” clauses that most government agencies use as a fig leaf to NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR INCOMPETENCE.
And since the permit office has been operating in the RED for a long time, there is NO MONEY TO BE HAD HERE.
a permit is a permit. the city government holds the final authority in the end to determine what can be built so the onus is on the city to follow its own rules and not “developers and investors NOT DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE,”
Cody: Absolutely. I feel for the builders.
Darryl – You make some very good points but I disagree with you on Builders should have done their due diligence. A couple of reasons why:
#1. The Building Code is extremely complicated. So complicated that larger, well funded Developers hire zoning consultants to help them understand the Building Code. The people building in this area are not Developers, they are mom & pop Builders who rely on the City to make sure their plans are in compliance.
#2. Even if the Builder had done their Due Diligence, the Building Code was not updated with the new changes so there was no way a Builder would know about the changes unless they were already aware.
#3. I was at the City Council meeting when the resolution passed and it was not even clear to the public what the terms of the resolution actually were? There was also mass confusion about when the new resolution would go into effect.
So, I don’t think it is fair to assume all the Builders should have been aware of the changes. I know multiple Builders who were tagged with a Stop Order and had no clue what it was about.
I don’t give a Damn who’s at fault because this is the way Black and Brown communities are treated in the city. Welcome to our world so the self policing by community members had an impact because we knew that we couldn’t trust the city and damn sure couldn’t trust the builders. This is not new to us we have been reporting it to the city for almost 2 years that builders are building out of compliance and that the homes need to be torn down and rebuilt however, the builders have found refuge in the ill-informed board of adjustments who on average are builder friendly and approve the so called mistake in building.
In my humble opinion it’s all BULLSHIT and it’s exactly what we expected, so the fight will continue and we have a new focus
This is an egregious mistake by the City of Dallas and they need to admit their mistake and let the builders finish their houses, otherwise it will cost us taxpayers a lot in legal fees and correcting the houses because people WILL sue. The bogus “zoning” which was put together in the name of “equity” has already hurt 2 black builders. Do any of the Elm Thicket committee care about them? NO! because it was never really about race. The woke city council went along with it because everyone is afraid of not seeming “inclusive.” One of these black builders has his life savings in the house he is building. The zoning was about power, control and not wanting what was best for the neighborhood. Jonathon Maples, who spearheaded the committee to change the zoning does not even live in the neighborhood and has not lived there in years, however he’s president of the Save Elm Thicket committee. Why is no-one investigating that? Instead they are trying to ruin builder’s lives. He lives in Glen Heights, TX. It’s time for the people who think it is OK to ruin other people’s lives to take some accountability. They have their own skeletons in their closets which need to be emptied.
To OV for your information OV, I’m a damn property owner and a legacy resident of ETNP why don’t you come investigate me!!
As a leader of the neighborhood advocacy group Save Elm Thicket, I feel it is important to correct several misstatements you made.
First off, the city has admitted their error in issuing these permits. The neighborhood, via Save Elm Thicket (www.save-etnp.com), brought it to the attention of the city and persisted until questions were answered and the error found. We are grateful that the city found the issue and is working to correct them. Thank you to the city for taking ownership and taking the steps to correct it.
The first misstatement you make is “bogus zoning.” The Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood did everything the city told them to do to get the new zoning requirements. We went through the Neighborhood Plus program and formed the Elm Thicket Authorized Hearing Steering Committee that consisted of builders, business owners, and neighbors. I was a member of that committee. We took the case through CPC and City Council where the zoning was passed unanimously in both hearings. Builders were not happy with the outcome. The zoning was to protect the character and preserve the history of our neighborhood. Elm Thicket/Northpark is a historical Freedman’s Community (www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/freedmantownnorth-dallas) and this past Juneteenth a Texas State Historical Marker was unveiled commemorating the history of this neighborhood. Also, the rezoning was to protect the quality of life of those neighbors who live in cottages so they would not have to stare at a wall outside their kitchen window due to an oversize house.
For the record, Mr. Maples was not on the Elm Thicket/Northpark Authorized Hearing Steering Committee nor is he president of Save Elm Thicket. He is president of the Elm Thicket/Northpark Neighborhood Association (www.elmthicketnorthpark.com). Those are two different organizations. Save Elm Thicket is an advocacy group that publishes a monthly neighborhood newsletter, ETNP News, that shares information about issues and events happening in the Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood. We also write about the history of the neighborhood we love. Mr. Maples is only guilty of being a perpetual target of builders who slander him every chance they get. The only thing Mr. Maples has not been accused of is shooting President Lincoln and kidnapping the Lindbergh baby.
As for “ruining” the lives of builders, you are wrong. When the city approved the new zoning they told the neighborhood residents they would have to police what was being built. We did that. Neighbors contacted Save Elm Thicket and Save Elm Thicket contacted the city. Neighbors did that because they were afraid builders would look to circumvent the zoning rules. So Save Elm Thicket, which has nothing to do with the neighborhood association or Mr. Maples, served as the vehicle to report new construction that the neighborhood thought was not fitting the new zoning.
The race of the individuals building these homes is not a factor. The only thing we are paying attention to is whether or not the new homes conform to the new building standards as we were told to do by the city. The Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood should not be penalized for this error by having homes built that further erode the character and history of this neighborhood. The main consideration of Save Elm Thicket is to serve the interests of our neighbors who live here and not to outside builders. “Woke” is not a bad word. It means to have empathy for others and want to see the world from their viewpoint. I hope this reply helps you and others with the same mindset become empathetic to those who built Elm Thicket/Northpark from its humble beginnings as a post-Civil War community for formerly enslaved people to the proud and vibrant community it is today.
I think it is very important taxpayers and the general public clearly understand a few things:
#1. The infractions the “stop work” orders were issued pertain to minor, minor details. For example, one house the roof height was 5 inches above what was allowed in the new rules. In another house, 20% of the roof over 20 ft was flat instead of the maximum 10%. In another house, the approved lot coverage was 42% instead of the new maximum of 40%. These details are so minor than no one can even tell from looking at the house or even measuring the house as-built. These “teeny tiny infractions” were only caught by reviewing the plans at the City after the new Code was publicly available.
#2. Every Builder I have spoken with has no issue complying with the new zoning requirements because they were so nominal in nature. Examples: A house can only be 25′ tall instead of 30′ tall, no problem – lower the roof. Lot coverage can only be 40% versus the previous 45%, again – no big deal – take out a covered patio. But if the new requirements are not published and available to City inspectors and the public how is a Builder to know what the new parameters are? They rely on the the permitting department to tell them if their plans meet the City building requirements. If they don’t, the builder doesn’t get the permit and changes their plans to try again.
So, that is the crux of the issue at hand. Why are the Builders getting filleted for a mistake the City has made. And why are Builders issued “stop work” orders for infractions so small they can’t be seen?
It is unfortunate people are throwing out the race card and the woke agenda in these comments. This is partially a business case for the best use of taxpayer dollars. And it is partially an opportunity for the City to take responsibility for their mistake, fix it and not punish the Builders who trusted the permitting process.
I am no Einstein but the answer is simple… Roll back the zoning changes to the date the City code was updated and problem is solved.
Yours Truly.
Don’t Get Dumber Elm Thicket (DGDET) – The Newly Formed Elm Thicket Advocacy Group for a Smarter Neighborhood
Why is the city asking residents to police the new builds? Shouldn’t that be the job of the city? If the city approves plans, and inspectors are checking the actual builds, there should be no reason for citizens to “police” the builds. There is a major disconnect if that is the case.
Mr. Stapp, we can both agree you are no Einstein. Let me address your factual errors:
#1. Save Elm Thicket initially reported construction that was clearly not in compliance. We just asked the city to verify all permits and they did. The ones we initially reported had 100% non-hip/gable roof styles. We did not pull building plans or anything of the sort. Our own eyes told us that those houses were out of compliance. There were no “minor” issues per the zoning we reported. One of the first construction sites we reported is a duplex being built on a lot meant for residential zoning. It is a 100% flat roof. Wait, I’m not done. The lot size is at 45.1% (saw that on the plans on the Board of Adjustment website) when it should be 40%. Finally, the building height is 36’ when the max is 30’. These are not “teeny-tiny” infractions as you assert. This one property violates every zoning regulation possible!
#2. If every builder you have spoken to, and you are one of them, has no issue complying with the new zoning requirements, then why complain? We are on the same page. Fix the issues to make all the construction conform to the zoning standards and move on with your life.
The real crux is our neighborhood has been getting “fileted” for decades before the zoning changes went into effect in October 2022. The city explained to us what we needed to do to ensure the zoning changes were enforced and the neighborhood did just that. It’s a shame the information was not updated and all of this could have been avoided. But at this point, the city is actually working for the residents of this neighborhood to have the errors corrected. Imagine that.
We will say no to any rollback of the zoning changes. We fought too hard against the builders, like yourself, who tried to stop it. And good luck with your “advocacy” group. You don’t live in the neighborhood. Maybe if you did you just might have empathy for my neighbors who had to deal with overt racism, segregation, and redlining for decades. We will do everything we can to Save Elm Thicket. Pass that along to your builder buddies.
Gus –
1) You don’t speak for the majority of the ETNP neighbors. As you’ll remember, the VAST neighbors and property owners spoke loud and clear AGAINST these brain dead zoning changes. You speak for less than 15 neighbors.
2) Please help all of us understand something. How has 5’ shorter houses help to “save” the neighborhood? Has the memory been kept alive by there being less flat roofs? Have people been able to keep/afford thier homes bc the lot coverage is now 5% less?
I’ll help – the answers to all of those questions is, NO! Taxes still went up. Houses are being torn down every single day. Builders are paying LESS for lots bc of the zoning changes which only affect those original home owners. My neighbor had to sell her home for $400k when prior to the zoning changes, the lot across from us sold for $525,000. AND builders are coming up with “creative ways” to still build homes that appear to have flat roofs – and they are more hideous than before! The zoning changes did NOTHING to help “save” anything nor did they do anything to help anyone at all … Job well done!!
Nothing about this permit situation has a single thing to do with race nor “wokeness”.
It has to do with facts, accountability, and right vs wrong.
– FACT: City of Dallas messed this up. This is on them.
– Dallas is responsible and should take full accountability.
– It is wrong to impose ANY negative finacial ramifications against the builders or homeowners trying to build thier homes when this is the fault of the city. To harm them for thier mistake is not right.
Step up Dallas as do what is right…acknowledge the facts, take responsiblity of your mistake, and move on!
At the end of the day we are talking about 19 house out of well over 2000 in this neighborhood…
As Mr. Stapp so eloquently put it, this is so DUMB!
This is all because of Espinoza he said to approve it and worry about it later so that he could make it look like he was cleaning up all of the over due permits. The council wanted numbers and that’s what he gave them
It’s all Espinoza fault he just wanted to show council that he was fixing all the over due permits so he could make it look like he was saving developmental services. He just said to approve the plans and worry about it later. Now he out of the picture and the city has to fix the issues.
*** YAWN ***
Mr Perez –
I speak the truth and my facts are backed up with actual data. So let’s fact check your assertions before we move forward because they are all incorrect…
#1. I am a Real Estate Broker. I am not a Builder.
#2. 6801 Tyree is the duplex you speak of. It is not a flat roof. 75% of the roof has a 2/12 pitch. 25% of the roof is flat. An architectural element (a parapet wall) on the roof hides the AC units from street view and gives the illusion of a flat roof.
#3. 6801 Tyree – Lot coverage = 45.7% not 45.1%
#4. 6801 Tyree – The highest point of roof is 26.6’… the max allowable roof height is 30’.
In the future, if you want to get things right, you are welcome to check with me before posting. I am happy to help you with your facts.
And no one is complaining about the new rules. No one cares. If lot coverage is reduced to 40% Builder’s will build at 40%. If max height is 30’ they will cap at 30’. The argument here is the City approved plans almost 2 years ago and Builders moved forward with their permitted plans and built houses. But because the City made a mistake you want the 2 dozen+ Builders to tear down their houses and start again? Complete foolery.
Back in your major violator example, 6801 Tyree. The lot coverage is 45.7%. The new maximum is 40%. So, lot coverage exceeds the new rules by 5.7%.
HOLD EVERYTHING! Save Elm Thicket Neighborhood Advocacy Group to the RESCUE!!!
6801 Tyree is pictured in article with plywood over windows. The Builder has spent around $500K. He has no choice but to go out of business or fight the City. All the while, the City is blowing resources, time and tax-payer money chasing this “gross violation” and one more project sits abandoned on a highly visible street corner with a chain link fence and boarded up windows. (Sound familiar?)
So, I ask you fine sir, how much City time, resources and taxpayer money will be spent fighting for this single instance of “teeny tiny” injustice? $50,000? $100,000? $250,000? Remind you we are talking about 5.7% of the lot which is smaller than a two car garage or to be precise 356.25 sf. Plus the money the Builder spent thus far. $1,000,000 before all said and done? Completely wasted. And it’s all because your neighborhood “advocacy” group, Save Elm Thicket, is upset it is 5.7% over the maximum lot coverage. Round of applause my friend…. That is something to be proud of!
And if this is the worst violator I can’t imagine how much the one that is 6” over the maximum build height is going to cost tax payers… Ouch!
But wait! I am not finished…
Good to know the same builder built 3 more duplexes all within 3 lots of 6801 Tyree that were properly permitted under the legacy building code. One is adjacent at 6806 Webster. One is the second lot over south at 6730 Tyree and one is the third lot to the west at 3633 Thedford. So, it is not the end of the world to give 6801Tyree (or the other 2 dozen) a pass… But go ahead and spend a million of tax payer money per instance to make sure there is strict compliance. I think I can do this math in my head… $1MM x 24 violators = $24MM tax payer money flushed.
So Let’s Save Elm Thicket!
Your’s Truly,
Former Founder of the now defunct Don’t Get Dumber Elm Thicket – Neighborhood Advocacy Group*
* We were just too late
Our Save Elm Thicket member list is 400+ households in ETNP. How many residents do you speak for Mr. Stapp? The 4-5 developers who live here? “Your neighbor” had to sell their house? Which neighborhood is that? As I stated before, you don’t live here.
Also, with the 36′ max height in the old zoning meant that builders could build a 36′ high side wall to reach a flat roof. Put that next to a 1-story cottage and they are staring a huge wall every day. With a hip/gable roof in the new zoning, the maximum height of the structure is 25′ with no part above 30′ (to allow the roof peak to reach up another 5′. That’s an 11′ difference on a side wall for the residents. That’s significant.
Say what you want about the zoning. It passed and you and other builders didn’t like it. I’m done trying to refute your factual errors and mischaracterizations of Save Elm Thicket. Our neighborhood won and you and the other opposing builders lost. Simple. [Boom! Dropping the Mic.]
ETNP: make sure you have a good lawyer super knowledgable about your position and have them appear at the Board of Adjustment meeting.
JM to the rescue! Why don’t you all worry about policing all the trash, illegal fireworks, and streets littered with broke down, paper-tagged vehicles as diligently as you look for new construction.
“Nobody knew that the Zoning had changed”
That is a BOLD FACED LIE. Zoning changes are handled with LEGAL NOTICES and official voting. Every developer and property owner KNEW this or should have KNOWN.
Submitting plans that violate zoning laws is not actually legal. All zoning and all codes MUST be met within the plans themselves. Every developer knew how to file the proper “variance” and every developer had the DUTY to get in writing the current zoning requirements BEFORE submitting plans and before building. I know that where I live literally every person who is considering a build submits a query as to the zoning and gets the answer in WRITING. Without that letter, every developer is liable and responsible for their own actions.
Tear is all down if that is what it takes.
BTW, I would give 10 to 1 on a $10 bet that each of these developers talked and knew that this was happening and pushed their plans through hoping to violate the zoning and get away with it.
BEST comment of all!! IYKYK.
My comment was in reply to Chris Stoner’s comment to be clear.
You should drive there and look at the neighborhood. It’s awful. The homes are boxes with no individuality. They look cheap. Starter homes that are expensive. It will turn into a rental area in 10 years.
They need to fight and win. The nimby old folk can sue city for their error. Rest goes on and new ones obviously will comply, while everything else goes on as planned with little disruption. why would u want the unfinished or whatever homes ghosts as this makes it way through courts? thats dumb. Thats fairest.
and for the upset, get your coalition to sue and maybe you’ll get some $$ and go like take a trip.
Im pro that area becoming nicer and full of abled people providing better schools, better roads and sidewalks, less crime, and more of a nicer dallas for the people….this is evolution. sell and reap profits and leave or fight the force that only grows…you cant stop evolution only slow it down while building resentments from all around
the citys error in no way whatsoever should cost the developer any money and time – time is money, stress is money – this all adds to it and have attorneys send cease and desists across the board to these bored backward folk. good luck home builders who did nothing wrong! your hard earned savings and doing nothing wrong – u are not owed this. its a crime. but make the complainers mess with city and city leave the current thing alone and only new ones and not developed ones have to adhere.
Lolol to all of this. @jonathan – you haven’t owned a home in ETNP until (maybe) recently. If you’re such a legacy resident then everyone would see your name on the voting list of zoning changes…..nope. You’re not there. You’re the president of the NA but didn’t even have the “residency” to vote on such an important issue? Come on now, don’t try to claim legacy residency when you haven’t owned a home here in a hot minute. For someone who lobbied so hard you didn’t even vote? Yikes.
End of the day, you’re just a loud mouth seeking city and neighborhood clout when you don’t have a real stake in what the neighborhood does because you don’t even pay Dallas taxes. We see your little fake awards from the city and Clay that don’t mean anything.
Sit down on the sidelines homie. Before you think about replying, visit this link where your name ain’t on the tax bill for the home you’ve used as your “residence” forever.
https://www.dallascad.org/SplitPDF/000004268830000000.PDF
If you think about changing up the story, I’ve got a real good recording of you on a CPC call where you say “Jonathan Maples, 6525 Oriole” I can drop in a hot minute. Another recording where you attacked Jennifer Brower for questioning why the ET economic development corp was based in Glenn heights and not ETNP. Come on, let’s play this game.
Review the tax history. Your name is nowhere.
It’s your mom’s house. Either you live with your mom or you’re committing tax fraud by claiming exemptions, your choice.
If you’d like me to drop the links where your parents have power of attorney and the docs that show where you inherit the property I can do that too. BTW, recent changes in your family that make you a “homeowner” in elm thicket mean you can’t claim the exemptions on oriole. I’ll be sure to check back and make sure those are removed with the next tax bill. If they aren’t, plenty of state agencies would be happy to dig in.
Stay out of ETNP business. You do not speak for the neighborhood. You don’t speak for anyone but yourself. You spew racist tropes such as “she’s black so she good enough for me. I have black daughters”. If you hate white folks so much just say it brother. Trust me, the neighborhood doesn’t want you as the voice.
Gus & Mimi – just stop it. You don’t do anything but try and find things out of spec. We see y’all cruising the neighborhood. You represent yourself and maybe 20 other people. The rest of us don’t care about big houses because our home values are going up. If somebody called code compliance on your house you’d be up to your ears in fines from your broken fence and high weeds.
^ENTP ENTP with the best post.
JM doesn’t live here, doesn’t speak for the majority of residents, and makes everything about race. All while apparently committing tax fraud.
Remember friends, the majority of ENTP residents opposed to zoning changes in a vote. This is just an example of the loud minority and weak city representatives.
You know what looks worse than a big brand new house? Broken down vehicles parked on front lawns, beer cans along the side of the road, etc. If we’re enforcing zoning let’s enforce everything.
Would someone explain to me what a “legacy resident” is and who qualifies for this designation? It is not a legal term and doesn’t come with exceptions to Texas state laws or local laws that I am aware of. The bylaws of the Homeowners association does not reference this designation. Many property owners are not residents in Elm Thicket. But pay property taxes for this area. Are the legacy residents? Having drivers licenses with various addresses is also not legal. Majority of the residents do not know who is who in this effort to “control” the neighborhood. Sounds to me like a change would be something many would appreciate and approve.
And why doesn’t the police respond to the partying on Oriole that JM owns!! Prostitution drugs for days at a time. If you are going to put so much effort into this permit issue, we need to have a safer, crime free neighborhood. Find out why the police don’t respond and what can be done to change it.
I’m sure there is plenty of information to help make us a case to the DPD.