ForwardDallas update: CPC workshop on April 11

City of Dallas sent this bulletin at 04/10/2024 04:00 PM CDT

The next CPC ForwardDallas workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 11 from

9am - 2pm. Join online here. We encourage you to tune in!

CPC FORWARDDALLAS PUBLIC HEARINGS

April 18 & May 9 from 6pm - 9pm
Join online or in-person. Link and more information here

Review the ForwardDallas draft #3 (released Feb. 2024).
View the latest Placetype map (released Dec. 2023).

ForwardDallas team is currently working with City Plan Commissioners and Councilmembers to schedule additional meetings. Be on the look out for a meeting in your area. Current meetings scheduled:
District 3 & 4 Town Hall - April 17 at 6:30, Kiest Park Rec Center
- More information: Email Derrell.Herbert@dallas.gov or Tom.Forsyth@dallas.gov

Visit ForwardDallas Documents & Resource page for ForwardDallas short videos, meeting recordings, Lunch-N-Learns, reports and more!

Will ForwardDallas 2.0 Rezone My Property?

NO. ForwardDallas is a land use guide and does not result in rezoning any part of the city. Any rezoning requires notification and a separate public process including public meetings at City Plan Commission and final decision with City Council.

Does ForwardDallas 2.0 Recommend Eliminating Single-Family zoning?

NO. ForwardDallas does not recommend eliminating single-family zoning. ForwardDallas does encourage more housing types throughout the City, and it points to starting with a variety of housing options at key intersections, local commercial areas, along corridors and within ½ mile of DART transit stations.

What is a Placetype?

A Placetype is a description of different places within the city---neighborhoods, mixed use areas, employment and industry centers and open spaces---that incorporates a mix of land uses, design and the recommended intensity and scale of the different uses. Placetypes are similar to future land use descriptions but are broader in scale and are used more commonly for large, citywide plans versus the property-by-property future land use descriptions found in area and neighborhood plans.

What Does the Plan Recommend for ADUs/Accessory Dwelling Units (granny flats/in-law suites)?

The current recommendation in the draft plan reads: “Explore updating the development code to allow Accessory Dwelling Units in residential districts and incorporate design standards to ensure neighborhood compatibility.”
This recommendation, if adopted as is by City Council, would NOT automatically change the current process which requires either 1) a neighborhood “opt-in” on a larger scale, or 2) an individual may request approval from the Board of Adjustment. Any change to the process would require a change to the City’s development code which includes public meetings with the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee, the City Plan Commission, and City Council.

How will ForwardDallas 2.0 be used and who will use it?

The plan is a guide used by City Boards and Commissions; City Council; City Plan Commission; City departments, City and County agencies; residents; employers; developers and other stakeholders to inform decisions about development, infrastructure and code regulations. Most specifically, when a new application for a zoning change goes before the City Plan Commission and the City Council, the application will be reviewed based on whether the zoning change “is in accordance with” the comprehensive plan. The Texas Local Government Code, the City Charter and the Local Development Code lay out the authority of a comprehensive plan, which is guidance for development application and does not constitute zoning.
The ForwardDallas 2.0 comprehensive land use plan is one of several factors taken into account when reviewing development proposals. ForwardDallas also identifies areas where there are inconsistencies between the current use on the ground today, the desired future vision for the area, and the existing zoning needed to implement the vision. Specifically, ForwardDallas has identified environmental justice areas where incompatible uses and zoning exist (commonly residential next to industrial) and recommends an updated future land use vision for those areas to guide future zoning efforts.

Is there still time for me to provide input?

Yes. Public meetings at which individuals may sign-up to speak either in person or virtually will be scheduled at City Plan Commission meetings and for City Council.

How does ForwardDallas 2.0 relate to other adopted citywide policies?

The ForwardDallas 2.0 project team coordinated with the applicable City departments to review and discuss recently adopted citywide policies and plans to ensure that ForwardDallas aligned with the respective policies including the 2020 Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP), 2021 Racial Equity Plan, the 2021 Connect Dallas Strategic Mobility Plan, the 2023 Economic Development Incentive Policy, the Dallas Housing Policy 2033. The project team also reviewed all previous adopted area plans, vision plans and strategy documents. These plans established the baseline for the initial ForwardDallas 2.0 draft.

What is the approval process?

In January 2024, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee (CLUP) completed its review and recommendations of the draft plan. The City Plan Commission (CPC) is now reviewing the draft plan. CPC will hold public hearings to hear from the community, tentatively through May. CPC will then provide a recommendation to City Council. Once CPC recommends an updated draft to City Council, tentatively May/June, City Council will also hold a public hearing(s). City Council is the final decision maker for the plan.

Can the plan be changed once it is adopted?

After adoption, a formalized process is recommended reviewing and updating the comprehensive land use plan every ten years. At mid-cycle, in the 5th year, a review and report of the plan is recommended to evaluate progress and maintain relevancy. Annual reports and briefings will be provided to the City Plan Commission (CPC), applicable committees and sub-committees, City Council, and to the general public.

Do you have questions? Email pud@dallas.gov