Emotional testimony was heard in a development dispute in Dallas as residents in the historic Elm Thicket neighborhood fought to prevent half-built duplexes from violating zoning laws. The Dallas Board of Adjustment overturned a stop-work order on at least one of the duplexes, citing a past history of the lot being a duplex. The developer must now make adjustments to the structure to comply with zoning regulations, despite arguments that tearing them down would put them out of business.
Residents in Elm Thicket worked hard to pass zoning changes in 2022, but a mistake in the city’s permit issuing process led to dozens of permits being issued in error. The residents feel that they are the only ones who did everything right, and that if the situation had occurred in a more affluent neighborhood, the stop-work orders would have been upheld immediately.
Developers argue that they are not at fault for the mistake and that the financial loss from making changes to the structures will be detrimental to their business. The Board of Adjustment has 17 more cases to consider in the coming weeks as they navigate the complex dispute between developers and residents.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities in having their voices heard and emphasizes the importance of accurate zoning regulations to protect the character and history of neighborhoods.
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