Is a Future House Trying to Take the Bluff Out of Bluffview?

Known for its Natural Beauty, Bluffview Neighbors Want Answers to Bluff Destruction

Practically the Hill Country of Dallas, Bluffview homes are tucked beneath old-growth canopies and behind shrubs that have been allowed to proliferate to keep the area as native as possible. For many homes, the nearest neighbor is the wildlife. And there are actual cliffs with overlooks.

That is why recent posts from Briarwood resident Hayley Banteaux caught attention in a neighborhood where quiet reigns so supreme that even dignitaries have sought out temporary homes here. Banteaux has been posting about the destruction of the natural beauty for which the Bluffview neighborhood is known, where you won’t find anything for sale that’s less than $1 million.

March 28 on NextDoor: 8700 Block of Canyon/Watauga

“Have you all seen how they have taken down a large area of the Bluff, and removed the Trees, it’s sickening, there is Limestone dust everywhere !!! 18 wheeler all on streets. Wonder where the wildlife has been displaced to? Hopefully no houses will flood with the change in watershed. Wonder how it will affect the water system at Bachman creek. There is not even a Dallas building permit at site. Bluffview was always a place of natural beauty, sad to see it’s being destroyed…”

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The bluff in question is where two homes, each sitting on one-acre lots, once existed. The home at 8740 Canyon was designed by renowned architect Parker C. Folse, Jr. Once known as the “Hollywood house,” this was where some of the biggest names in the industry would lay their heads when they visited Dallas for an extended time.

Both homes, 8738 Canyon and 8740 Canyon, changed ownership in 2023 according to the Dallas Central Appraisal District, and have since been demolished. What no one expected was that the bluff itself would be demolished as well.

Banteaux continued notifying her neighbors.

April 2 on NextDoor:

“The question becomes — is this responsible growth, or is it simply selfish? We also must consider the environmental impact. There is a 15-foot drop on the north side of the property into a small ravine. That ravine feeds into the storm drainage system, which connects to Bachman Creek and ultimately flows into Bachman Lake. Lime from excavation is already visible. How much more will be added before we irreversibly damage the natural systems that sustain wildlife — and ultimately affect us as well? What happens when runoff reaches the creek and eventually Bachman Lake?”

April 3 on NextDoor:

“This afternoon on my walk I noticed several things that are concerning. There is a significant amount of lime dust on the roadway, including clumps that appear to have fallen from trucks. It is not being cleaned up and is sitting very close to a storm drain. There is already visible silt buildup inside the drain, and lime dust is mixed in with it. With rain in the forecast, this material could easily wash directly into the storm system.”

Posted at the site is a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality small construction site notice — used for sites at least one acre but less than five acres. The project description is for excavating and haul-off for a new single-family residence. Also posted at the job site is an “Operator Certification Statement” that says the operator, Deweerd Construction,” will comply with the terms of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP).

Small pieces of limestone or dust can settle in pipes or catch basins and cause storm sewers to overflow. As the debris causes the storm drain to narrow, preventing the free flow of water, the risk of flooding increases. The combination of storm drains filled with limestone remnants and a diminished landscape for water absorption is a perfect recipe for flooding. Other contributing issues include silt fencing that does not extend to the ground and the lack of ground cover to absorb excess water.

April 4 on NextDoor:

“The rain has confirmed our concerns. With only about 1½ inches of rainfall, the impact is already severe. As shown in the photos:
• The ravine on one property is functioning like a spillway.
• Storm drains are completely overwhelmed.
• Flooding is occurring throughout the area.
• A tree is now leaning directly over a gas line. 

Atmos Energy has expressed concern about the potential danger if the tree falls…The drainage plane has clearly been altered. There is no longer permeable soil to absorb runoff. Water is moving faster and with more force. Culverts filled with lime are draining directly toward the creek. This is not a minor grading issue — this is a site exceeding two acres with significant excavation and a complete change in water flow patterns.” 

After the rainstorm, the operator placed sandbags in front of a downhill neighbor’s home. Banteaux contacted Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis since Bluffview is located in District 13.

Willis tells Banteaux that she is sympathetic to the plight of Bluffview residents, saying it’s heartbreaking to witness the removal of more than two acres of mature trees.

She wrote, “For many years, owls and red-tailed hawks nested in this area, and their habitat has now been completely cleared. The loss of this canopy and wildlife habitat is deeply concerning for those of us who value the natural environment in our neighborhood.”

“Another serious concern is stormwater and rain runoff from the site flowing into Bachman Creek. and then into Bachman Lake. With the extent of exposed soil and lime dust, there are legitimate questions about how this runoff may affect water quality and the wildlife that depend on the creek ecosystem,” Willis said.

Last week, Willis followed up, saying the site is under review by multiple departments, with a grading permit pending and potential dust and stormwater issues under investigation — including a possible state violation. In the letter Banteaux shared with neighbors, Willis wrote:

“City staff from Code Compliance, Planning & Development, and the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability have visited the site and are continuing to monitor the activity. At this time: City staff confirmed that a building permit was not required for the excavation work due to the size of the lots, although an excavation and grading permit application was submitted on March 23 and is currently under review. Code Compliance has been monitoring the site and will continue enforcement if any work occurs without the proper permits.

The Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability inspected the site regarding dust concerns. During the most recent visit, inspectors observed water being used to control dust and did not observe dust leaving the property. OEQS is also submitting documentation to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) alleging a nuisance dust violation. If issued, a formal Notice of Violation may take about a week while documentation is finalized. City staff also flagged potential stormwater management concerns, which have been referred to the appropriate team for review.

Our office will continue to stay in contact with City staff and will share updates as they become available. We appreciate your patience as the departments work through the review and enforcement processes. You can email me at [email protected] Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or if you observe new activity at the site.

In addition, if neighbors would like to pursue a Neighborhood Tree Overlay, there is more information on that here: https://dallascityhall.com/projects/forestry/Pages/Historic-Trees-and-Forest-Overlay.aspx”

Many who responded to Banteaux’s posts expressed sadness and dismay at the destruction of the natural landscape. 

Bluffview resident Janice Wiggins posted: “The whole ‘woodsy feel’ of Bluffview is disappearing. We are fast approaching the time when we will look like all the areas where starkness is the norm.”

Two days ago, Bluffview resident Stephanie P. posted: “What they’re doing to this once beautiful lot is a travesty. Why move to wooded, private Bluffview if you don’t like trees or privacy?!?”

The destruction of the bluff raises a question that hasn’t been answered. When is enough, enough? It seems the residents of Bluffview have reached that point.