BREAKING: ForwardDallas Land Use Plan Adopted in 11-4 Vote, Will Be Reviewed Again in Five Years

In an 11 to 4 vote, the ForwardDallas 2.0 comprehensive land use plan was approved Wednesday with a slate of new amendments including a provision that the document be reviewed within five years. The adopted plan also includes amendments designed to protect single-family neighborhoods that were introduced earlier this month by Councilman Paul Ridley at an Economic Development Committee Meeting.

Council members debated and accusations flew about “backroom deals” and a lack of transparency. Ridley and Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn unsuccessfully proposed amendments to change a matrix that some have said encourages density in single-family neighborhoods and therefore does not align with the newly amended narrative portion of the plan.

Ultimately a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins prevailed. Mayor Eric Johnson and council members Mendelsohn, Jesse Moreno, and Carolyn King Arnold voted against it.

Motion to Approve ForwardDallas 2.0

Here’s the text of Atkins’ motion:

I move to approve the ForwardDallas comprehensive land use plan, with amendments as recommended by the Economic Development Committee with the following changes:

In Chapter 1, Item 1-4, language to relationship to other plans: “in areas with historic and cultural resources, land use decisions guided by this comprehensive plan should consider the guidance, goals, policies, and regulations stipulated in the future Historic Preservation Plan, the Historic & Cultural Preservation Strategy, and historic preservation and conservation ordinances adopted by the City.

In Chapter 1, Item 1-5, amend the “Monitoring Progress” section to require the comprehensive land use plan to be reviewed within five years from the date of adoption and consider revision of the plan within 10 years of the date of adoption.

All references to the annual reporting of Key Performance Indicators should reflect reporting to the city plan commission and the city council.

In Chapter 4, Section 410, add new Item C12: “Streamline and simplify incentives for reuse and reinvestment in historic properties, both existing and those designated in the future, to encourage property owners and developers to preserve historic structures and places.”

In Chapter 4, Section 4-12, revise Item C13 to read: “Expand the suite of context-sensitive design and preservation tools including historic and conservation districts, design standards, and neighborhood stabilization overlay programs and update applicable ordinances to better respond to rapidly changing conditions in established neighborhoods.”

Update the placetype map as reflected in the exhibits distributed by staff to:

Amend the placetype shown on the Mountain Creek amendment map from regional open space to utility to reflect the existing privately-owned power plant properties; and amend the placetpe shown on the Near Bishop Arts amendment map from city residential to community residential to reflect the established development pattern.

Toward the end of the meeting, District 3 Councilman Zarin Gracey successfully proposed to keep the placetype shown on the Mountain Creek amendment map regional open space and on page 3-5 add a footnote after the “Power Station” example in the “Utility” land use to read as follows: “In the regional open space placetype, a masterplan review for compatibility with a power station should be undergone in the area adjacent to Mountain Creek Lake.”

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We’ll have full coverage of the Sept. 25 Dallas City Council meeting in Thursday’s newsletter and on CandysDirt.com.