Neighbors oppose zoning change on Highland Road

By Rebecca Boatman

Many knew the property on Highland Road as the old trailer park. In 2006, the residents were evicted, and the trailers were removed. It was fenced in and put up for sale.  These four plus acres are partially in the flood plain and are filled with over one hundred old growth hardwoods and native species. It is on the south side of Highland Road between the railroad crossing and Ash Creek.

This spring a developer set in motion a plan to buy the land, scrape all of the trees, bring in fill, and build 29 zero lot line homes. Two retention ponds would be at the front of the lot by Highland. A group of concerned neighbors led by all of the residents on Barbaree Boulevard began their opposition to the plan.

Barbaree is also in the flood plain between the railroad and Ash Creek. Most of the homes sit on an acre of land. The residents understand the importance of permeable land and trees for extreme rain events and the fragility of a flood plain. Ash Creek joins with White Rock Creek just beyond the Highland Road property and is part of the Trinity forest corridor.  

After several hearings before the City Planning Commission, the developers lowered the number of homes to 23 and agreed to save 19 trees along the edges of the property. The setbacks did not change, front yards with 10 feet and the backyards with five feet. There will be five feet between homes. There will be one private drive from Highland to access all homes. These setbacks do not allow a homeowner a driveway large enough for a car. There are six guest parking spaces at the rear of the land.  This planned development request requires less than R 5 zoning. It is presently zoned R 7.5.

The residents are requesting the zoning remain as is to allow for more green space, the opportunity to have less fill, save more trees, and allow for driveway parking. They are concerned about the impact on storm water run-off on Ash Creek and White Rock Creek.  They also argue that these homes are not compatible with other neighborhoods between Ash Creek and Garland Road all with larger yards and trees. 

The City of Dallas Forward Dallas! Plan includes the following policy:

Policy 5.1.3 Encourage complementary building height, scale, design and character. By encouraging development of buildings, structures and landscapes that complement the character and scale of their setting and relate to the human scale, a more defined sense of place is created. New development should be appropriate to the context of its location in density, intensity and size, particularly when adjacent to existing residential areas, historic or conservation districts. Buildings should be designed to be compatible in height, scale, bulk and massing to the urban context and established character of the surrounding area.

In addition to the Forward Dallas policy, on June 5, the Dallas City Council voted to adopt a plan that would make planting and preserving trees a priority in the city. All 15 members voted in favor. 

Residents will present their opposition before the City Council on October 27. They have established a Facebook Group Save Highland Road Trees with more information.