Coalition fights against new development

By Shari Goldstein Stern

“Down the street from White Rock Lake” continues to be a realtor’s dream sales pitch. Although the City of Dallas closed a human-made beach with lake swimming in 1953, “the lake” remains a beloved Dallas oasis for fishing, picnicking and enjoying its scenic 9.4-mile loop with an invigorating bike ride, run, leisurely walk or relaxing drive. Surrounding Casa Linda Plaza at Garland Road and Buckner Boulevard, down the street from the lake, is Casa Linda Estates, a residential community developed in 1948 by the Carl and Hershel Brown family, who built the Plaza. Generously shaded by stately, mature trees, it remains one of East Dallas’ most desirable neighborhoods. Some families who bought their houses in the 1940s and 1950s still proudly call them home. Second and third generations enjoy raising their children in the same homes where they grew up.

Today, 450 Casa Linda Estates homeowners face an issue that too few are working hard to resolve. Named ‘a coalition of the willing,’ their fight is against a new residential development under construction that falls short of meeting the neighborhood’s standards and elegant features. 

The development firm of La Jolla Drive LLC has purchased two adjacent estates at 1425 and 1435 North Buckner Boulevard in Casa Linda Estates, combining them to form a 6.5-acre lot. The company asked the City of Dallas to approve their proposal to divide the acreage into 15 parcels for building “new, luxury, 2-story homes;” 15 of them. Architect Eddie Maestri was named to design the 15 “uniquely different” homes. 

Vigorously opposed to the development, the coalition has challenged itself to prevent the plan from moving forward. Its fundraising efforts to retain an attorney will benefit the residents who value their homes, neighbors and neighborhoods. The coalition is grateful to those neighbors who have generously made contributions. The present team is optimistic that more of their neighbors and friends will feel responsible for their community and donate as well as join the fight.

Philip Mendershausen and his late wife, Margaret, raised two children in their Hermosa Drive home, which he purchased in 1974. It was he who created the moniker: “A Coalition of the Willing, or Not in My Front Yard.” 

Mendershausen, who is retired as director of Clinical Chemistry at Dallas’ V.A. Medical Center, said: “The neighborhood residents have invoked the Deed Restrictions legally filed with Dallas County in 1937 and renewed through 2034 when they will be eligible for renewal again. These restrictions limit the number of homes allowed on a Casa Linda estate to one, or a total of two, on two estates, not 15.” The coalition has consulted with an attorney specializing in real estate to obtain details about their rights and those of the developer and to discuss a potential lawsuit.

While the Casa Linda Estates Neighborhood Association (CLENA) has accumulated a sizeable amount of cash from dues throughout the years, the Association hasn’t expressed a complete buy-in to the resistance or “cause.” The coalition, therefore, is seeking $25,000 in contributions from residents to continue its fight to maintain the neighborhood’s charm and integrity. 

The group plans to consult with a residential structural engineer to clarify La Jolla’s requirements. One of Mendershausen’s concerns is: “It would seem to me that the LLC must submit a plat showing the foundations of the 15 houses intended to be built, and it can be analyzed quite simply to see whether those foundations are set back 100 feet from Buckner and 50 feet from the shared access roadway and 25 feet from the adjacent property lines. Those foundations on the other side will have to be 50 feet from the roadway and 25 feet from the other three property lines.”

Mendershausen added: “Construction was halted on March 21 and has not resumed as of June 1, pending full compliance with Dallas City building codes and other requirements. Construction is expected to resume soon. Plans call for the sale of the 15 properties, complete with the homes to start by the beginning of summer 2025.”

“The problem with this issue is that many of the neighborhood residents are generally opposed to this development and, although they attended various meetings with the city during the planning stages and spoke passionately before the City Planning Commission, their objections were ignored by city officials and the City Council Place 9 representative, Paula Blackmon, because all aspects of the development plan appeared to be in present and future compliance with city building codes,” Mendershausen said. “The neighborhood residents, however, have invoked the Deed Restrictions legally filed with Dallas County in 1937 and renewed through 2034, when they will be eligible for renewal again.” 

According to Mendershausen, on May 31: “Now the area is dug up, covered with unsightly construction debris, litter, high weeds, ditches and piles of earth, recently fenced with chain link. Construction was halted on March 21 and has not resumed pending full compliance with Dallas City building codes. It is expected to restart soon, with the installation of utility services, completion of the entrance road, and then laying foundations. Plans call for home construction to begin by the summer 2025, which is 20 days from now.”

“Stopping the development is an existential issue with me. It is a blight on the neighborhood, a disgrace to Casa Linda,” Mendershausen said. “Raising money from neighbors to afford a lawyer is difficult, but that is what I am committed to accomplishing.”

The team actively opposing the project would like to see the two estates used for single-family homes. Another purpose they have discussed is the possibility of a horse-riding stable, community park, community garden or recreation center. 

Interested parties can contact Dallas Councilwoman, District 9, Paula Blackmon, at paula.blackmon@dallas.gov or call 214-671-8916.

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