Dallas officials are moving closer to crowning El Ranchito, the boisterous Tex-Mex staple with tableside mariachis in Oak Cliff, as an official city historic landmark. The City Plan Commission has signed off on a proposed historic overlay, sending the nomination to the Dallas City Council for a final vote. Supporters say the move would help protect the Charles Dilbeck designed building from demolition and prevent renovations that could strip away its quirky, patchwork charm.
The commission’s vote followed a recommendation from the city’s Landmark Commission, according to the Dallas Observer. The outlet notes that the designation is still tentative and will not be official unless the City Council signs off.
What the Overlay Would Do
A historic overlay places preservation rules on a property, which means that exterior changes to protected features typically require a certificate of appropriateness, and demolition becomes far more difficult to approve. City staff recommended approval using preservation criteria written by the designation committee, according to the City Plan Commission docket from the City of Dallas.
Charles Dilbeck’s Patchwork on Jefferson…