Dallas City Plan Commission Meeting

Date: August 6, 2026 | Briefing: 10:34 AM – 12:37 PM | Public Hearing: 1:06 PM – 6:27 PM

The City Plan Commission met to consider a 31-item agenda including zoning cases, subdivision plats, a street name change, and sign certificates. The most contentious item was a proposed Planned Development (PD) for a mixed-use development at Preston Road and Royal Lane (Case Z-26-000007), which drew extensive public testimony and a 11-4 vote to approve with modifications. Other notable actions included approval of a new digital ticker sign for the Texas Stock Exchange, a street name change for the Houston Street Viaduct to Pettis Norman Bridge, and several zoning cases held under advisement.

Consent Calendar

• Zoning Cases (Items 1-4): Originally on consent but pulled due to commissioner conflicts. Item 1 (Henderson Avenue subdistrict) was approved with a front-yard amendment. Items 2-4 were approved individually with staff recommendations.
• Subdivision Consent (Items 15-21): Seven replat applications approved by a single motion, subject to conditions.
• Signs Consent (Items 28-31): Four certificates of appropriateness for back-lit channel letter signs at 1445 Ross Avenue approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 14 (Preston Royal PD): Over 35 speakers addressed the commission. Supporters (including residents, business leaders, and the Oak Lawn Committee president) argued the project would bring walkable mixed-use development, housing options for aging residents, and economic vitality. Opponents (including residents, St. Mark's School students, and owners of adjacent properties) cited excessive height (up to 240 ft), traffic congestion, safety concerns for schools and fire station 41, and incompatibility with Forward Dallas 2.0. More than 4,500 petition signatures were presented, and 258 of 283 property owners within 500 ft registered opposition.
• Item 27 (Street Name Change): Numerous speakers, including former state representative Helen Giddings, Tom Landry Jr., former council member Casey Thomas, and community leaders, testified in support of renaming the Houston Street Viaduct to Pettis Norman Bridge, citing his civil rights work, NFL career, and community service. No opposition speakers appeared.
• Item 9 (Texas Stock Exchange Sign): The applicant and Oak Lawn Committee president spoke in support; one nearby condo owner opposed the sign's placement, requesting a delay for alternative locations.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 (PD 241 Amendment – Welding School): Staff briefed on a proposal to amend PD 241 to allow a technical school with welding shop on an 8.5-acre vacant site near I-75 and I-20. The applicant sought a PD amendment rather than a CS district. After questions about outdoor storage and screening, the commission approved the PD amendment.
• Item 8 (PD 94 Amendment – Vehicle Sales/Service): Staff recommended approval of RR Regional Retail District in lieu of a PD amendment. Vice Chair Herbert offered a substitute motion to approve the PD amendment with additional lighting and fencing conditions, which passed.
• Item 9 (Downtown Sign District – Ticker Sign): The applicant requested a new subdistrict to allow a digital display for the Texas Stock Exchange at 2123 N Harwood. The SSDAC recommended a 10 PM shutoff on the Harwood Street portion (vs. 11 PM requested). The commission approved following SSDAC's recommendation.
• Item 14 (Preston Royal PD – Z-26-000007): The applicant sought a PD to build up to 240 ft (reduced from 325 ft) on a 7.2-acre site at Preston and Royal, including multifamily, hotel, office, and retail. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Extensive debate centered on height, massing, traffic, and compatibility with Forward Dallas 2.0. Commissioner Cox offered a substitute amendment capping height at 75 ft, which failed 13-2. The main motion, as amended by Commissioner Housewright (adding prohibited uses and striking the sign section), passed 11-4.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Approved with amendment (front-yard adjustments).
• Items 2-4: Approved individually.
• Item 5: Held under advisement to September 17, 2026.
• Item 6: Approved (PD 241 amendment).
• Item 7: Approved with 5-year SUP expiration.
• Item 8: Approved as amended (PD 94 with lighting and fencing conditions).
• Item 9: Approved with SSDAC conditions (10 PM shutoff on Harwood).
• Items 10 & 11: Held under advisement to August 20, 2026.
• Item 12: Approved with 1-year SUP.
• Item 13: Held under advisement to September 17, 2026.
• Item 14: Approved with modifications (prohibited uses: drive-through bank, drive-through restaurant, motor vehicle fueling station, car wash; sign section struck to default to Article 7).
• Items 15-21: Approved.
• Items 22-25: Approved.
• Item 26: Approved (building line removal and replat).
• Item 27: Approved (street name changed to Pettis Norman Bridge).
• Items 28-31: Approved.
• Appointments to CPC Committees: Not discussed; deferred.