Nestled within the Walnut Hill community, known for its mid-century charm, leafy streets, and close-knit vibe, a 3.74-acre vacant lot has become the focus of active discussion.
After the former Primera Iglesia Bautista, located near the intersection of Walnut Hill Lane and Marsh Lane, was destroyed by the October 2019 tornado, the land has remained untouched. Now, Crescent Estates Custom Homes, led by Dallas developer Mehrdad Moayedi, is aiming to turn the empty lot into a 50-home patio-style residential community.
Before construction can begin, however, Crescent must secure a “planned development” designation from the city — a custom zoning change that would allow smaller lots, shared driveways, and greater density than current single-family zoning permits.
The City Plan Commission gave the green light to Crescent’s proposal in August, moving it forward to the City Council for a final vote.
But not everyone is on board, with more than 200 nearby residents signing a petition opposing the rezoning. The residents, who agree the site shouldn’t remain vacant, argue that Crescent’s plan doesn’t honor the character or scale of the neighborhood.
In response to resident feedback, Crescent reduced the home count from 60 to 50, increased lot sizes along the northern border, and lowered maximum building heights from 45 feet to 30 feet at the edges and 36 feet elsewhere. Crescent also increased the setback along the north property line from 10 to 14 feet to improve privacy and maintain compatibility with nearby homes.
“We’ve tried to be responsive and thoughtful,” said Leo Amaya of Crescent Estates. “We’ve listened to feedback, and we’ve made real adjustments.”
Amaya also pointed to Dallas’s housing challenges and need for more options.
“This development stands to be a meaningful contribution toward the city’s broader housing goals,” he said, adding that the proposed community offers “a smart, low-impact form of density that adds the ‘missing-middle’ housing type serving empty nesters, young professionals, and families who want to remain in the area without the upkeep of large-lot homes.”
Amaya said the two-story patio homes, on roughly 3,960-square-foot lots, will reflect the neighborhood’s existing scale and design, and will be designed “to blend seamlessly with the existing neighborhood — in material quality, rooflines, and overall streetscape presence. Not a departure from what exists today, but a thoughtful continuation of it.”
Crescent estimates home prices will range from $900,000 to $1.2 million, which it described as “market-competitive” for new construction in the area. The development, it said, would also “activate a long-dormant property while delivering much-needed housing in an area where entry-level and attainable price points are increasingly hard to find.”
Amaya added the project will help ensure that the neighborhood remains vibrant and livable for the next generation without introducing apartments or urban congestion, while also supporting local businesses and growing the tax base without straining infrastructure.
Still, opposition remains.
“I’ve hoped this would end well, but this plan doesn’t reflect the input we gave,” said Marla Hartsell, vice president of the Walnut Hill Homeowners Association, who urged the council to postpone a vote for further review.
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