Landmark Commission Supports Trio of Duplexes For Tenth Street Historic District
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Less than a month after the ForwardDallas 2.0 comprehensive land use plan was approved — following an intense debate over the protection of single-family neighborhoods — preservationists are championing duplexes in a historic district.
At an Oct. 7 meeting of the Dallas HIstoric Landmark Commission, the panel heard proposals for three duplexes in the Tenth Street Historic District, an area of southern Dallas where Plan Commissioner Tom Forsyth and City Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold have been outspoken about the need to keep single-family neighborhoods as they are.
“I’m going to stand with the protection of single-family neighborhoods,” Arnold said as she voted against the land use plan on Sept.25.
Elected and appointed officials discussed extensively during the ForwardDallas rewrite process the need for design standards and compatible development. Many were supportive of “duplexes that don’t look like duplexes,” particularly when the design aligns with surrounding development.
The Dallas Landmark Commission is responsible for making decisions regarding Certificates of Appropriateness within all Dallas historic districts and individually designated structures. The Landmark Commission, a quasi-judicial body, is made up of 14 members and three alternates, all appointed by the City Council.
Requests for duplexes at 1124 E. 9th St., 1131 Betterton Circle, and 218 Landis St. were “courtesy review” items that did not require action. A task force recommended rear exits be added to all three proposals, which were submitted by Applicant Shannon Brown Keys.
Watch the Oct. 7 Landmark Commission meeting here.
1124 E. 9th St.
The 9th Street property, adjacent to the Greater El Bethel Baptist Church, is currently vacant. Keys is proposing a side-by-side duplex similar to one that previously existed on the lot and is compatible with surrounding development.
“Google Maps indicates a one-story duplex was sited on the lot as late as January of 2013 however, a demolition permit is not on record with the city,” the case report states. “The applicant is proposing to build a side-by-side duplex with a shared wall between the two units … Generally speaking, the applicant is reconstructing the prior duplex with minor alterations in fenestration and increased massing to accommodate current living standards. During the task force meeting, the applicant was asked to add exterior rear doors to both dwelling units for safe egress. Other than that, the task force was supportive and appreciative of the applicant’s efforts to pay homage to what was previously lost.”
Commissioners offered suggestions such as lowering windows and increasing foundation height.
Read the case report.
1131 Betterton Circle
The Betterton Circle property is near the intersection of Betterton Circle and S. Cliff Street, and the applicant is proposing to build a side-by-side duplex with a shared wall between the two units.
The applicant is utilizing an existing duplex within the neighborhood as a model.
“During a task force meeting, the applicant was asked to add exterior rear doors to both dwelling units for safe egress,” the case report states. “Additionally, the applicant was asked to remove the brick skirting and replace it with horizontal siding. The model used has brick skirting and other brick detailing however, these appear to be later alterations to the building and site. Generally, the task force was supportive.”
Commissioners suggested that all four slopes of the roof be equal and windows be added to allow for more natural light in the bedrooms.
Read the case report.
218 Landis St.
The Landis Street property abuts greenspace on E. Clarendon Drive. The applicant wants to build a side-by-side duplex with a shared wall between the two units.
“The applicant is utilizing an existing Craftsman-style duplex within the neighborhood as a model. During the task force meeting, the applicant was asked to add exterior rear doors to both dwelling units for safe egress,” the case report states.
Commissioners made suggestions that the lower half of columns be the same width throughout the home.
Read the case report.
