A controversial Preston-Royal rezoning case to allow for a mixed-use development was greenlit by the Dallas City Plan Commission Thursday.
The project proposed by developer Leland Burk involves building a hotel/residential tower up to 240 feet, or about 19 stories, another residential tower up to 210 feet, or about 18 stories, and an office building up to 190 feet. The maximum structure height allowed by the area’s current zoning is 54 feet. The developer had previously reduced the maximum height proposed for the project.
The project had faced opposition by groups like Preserve Preston Hollow and the newly formed coalition of North Dallas neighborhoods called D13 Together. D13 Together includes representation from Bluffview, Wimberley Court, Preston Hollow, and Melshire Estates, and members at a recent press conference also expressed opposition to a proposal to rezone an approximately 3.8 acre property at the intersection of Walnut Hill Lane and Betty Jane Lane as well as the Preston-Royal rezoning.
Chief among the concerns of nearby residents regarding the Preston-Royal project is the height of the proposed towers.
“The neighborhood is supportive of the developer’s uses, just not at the height he wants,” Margaret Chabris, who is involved with Preserve Preston Hollow and attended the D13 Together news conference earlier this week, said at the City Plan Commission meeting.
Burk attended the City Plan Commission meeting and said “meeting with our neighbors and sharing our vision has been a priority from day one.”
“We have listened and we have made significant changes to our original design,” Burk said.
Dallas City Plan Commissioner Larry Hall made the motion to approve the rezoning. Dallas City Plan Commissioner Jack Kocks had proposed an amended motion that would allow no structure on the site to exceed 75 feet in height, but that motion failed.
The case will still need to go before the Dallas City Council for final approval.
Author
