In The Zone

City Hall Roundup: Legal Updates, Zoning Reform, Business Survey

By Charles Grand / July 19, 2026 /

Council members are still on summer break in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean news isn’t being made. For instance, legal developments — and misfires — related to the ongoing drama over the potential relocation of Dallas City Hall have been unfolding in recent weeks. Here’s the latest on that as well as some other items…

Controversial Preston-Royal Project Zoning Hearing Pushed to August

By Charles Grand / June 26, 2026 /

The Dallas City Plan Commission won’t consider the controversial Preston-Royal mixed-use proposal until August after opponents successfully argued that nearby property owners weren’t properly notified of significant revisions to the project. “We are pleased that the City recognized the importance of a fair, transparent, and legally sound process by pulling this case from Thursday’s agenda,”…

Fairview Renews Fight Over LDS Temple Steeple Despite Permit Approval

By Charles Grand / June 8, 2026 /

A little over a year after approving a controversial compromise for a new temple proposed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, officials in the Collin County town of Fairview are launching a public campaign aimed at convincing church leaders to voluntarily reduce the height of the building’s spire. Construction is actually already…

Updated Renderings of Preston-Royal Project Do Little To Quell Opposition

By Charles Grand / May 19, 2026 /

Representatives for the controversial mixed-use project proposed at Preston Road and Royal Lane unveiled updated renderings Friday evening to a packed crowd of neighborhood residents, many of whom remained skeptical despite revisions to the plan. The community engagement meeting, hosted by Council Member Gay Donnell Willis (District 13) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Royal…

Council Approves Former Plan Commissioner’s Controversial North Oak Cliff Rezoning Request

By Charles Grand / April 23, 2026 /

A majority of the Dallas City Council voted late Wednesday to approve a controversial application to rezone undeveloped land in North Oak Cliff from single-family to multifamily, with developer and former city plan commissioner Christian Chernock securing authorization to build apartments on the site. The land in question, some 3.5 acres between Plymouth Road and…