The Dallas City Council recently denied three zoning requests for duplexes in the Mount Auburn neighborhood, prompting a larger discussion on the need for self-determination in areas that have been threatened by what residents perceive as incompatible high-density development.
Residents at the Jan. 8 council meeting who spoke out against duplexes in their neighborhood considered the denials a victory, but is Mount Auburn protected from gentrification in the long term? Several elected officials suggested an authorized hearing or conservation district is needed to tighten up the area’s Planned Development District and ensure that teardowns are limited.
Located off Grand Avenue near Interstate 30, the East Dallas neighborhood of Mount Auburn was developed in 1907 and is within Planned Development District 134, created in 1982. Over there you’ll find El Taco Loco (and tons of other taco spots) and Kalachandji’s, a Hare Krishna temple that is also home to one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in the city. It’s a burgeoning area that’s been attracting new teardown development
Last week’s proposals came from property owner Hector Valdez, who said he wants to build duplexes at 5409 Garland Ave., 5023 Garland Ave., and 412 Wayne St.
“There’s nothing we can fix,” he said. “Even if we wouldn’t do a duplex we’ve got to tear it out and build a big home … I don’t see any reason why it has to be denied.”…