The Dallas City Council denied three related land-use map amendments and specific rezoning requests on Jan. 8 that would have allowed duplex development on single-family lots in Mount Auburn, a multi-generational neighborhood in East Dallas. The council followed a City Plan Commission recommendation to deny the requests and cited neighborhood preservation and housing-affordability concerns.

Residents of Mount Auburn and nearby neighborhoods turned out in force for the hearing, delivering multiple hours of testimony in opposition. Speakers described the area as naturally affordable, expressed concern about rising property values and displacement, and urged the council to allow the neighborhood time to pursue preservation tools such as an updated planned development (PD) with stronger design standards, a neighborhood stabilization overlay (NSO), or a conservation district. Several speakers said developers had bought lots, demolished modest older homes and built larger duplexes that they said raised values and changed neighborhood character.

Council members who voted to deny the spot rezonings said the requests would enable a pattern of “checkerboard” redevelopment and make it harder to preserve affordability. Supporters of the applications — including owners and applicants who live in or near the neighborhood — said many lots suffer from aging or dilapidated housing that needs replacement and argued that duplexes can add supply and modernize housing stock. The council expressed interest in a neighborhood-led process; several members urged staff to work with residents to develop an organ ized PD update or authorized-hearing process so the neighborhood can agree standards for sensitive redevelopment.

The City Plan Commission and council said they considered Forward Dallas policies, housing and anti-displacement goals, and the existing PD adopted in 1982 (PD 134) which the neighborhood said was originally intended to preserve a mix of single-family and duplex lots. Council members referenced the Builders of Hope anti-displacement mapping and census indicators showing the area’s vulnerability and said spot rezonings that permit duplex lots can be an accelerant for demolitions and displacement. The council asked staff to return with options for neighborhood-driven tools — for example an authorized hearing or PD text amendments — and directed engagement with the neighborhood prior to future spot-zoning applications.

Ending: The council’s vote preserved current land-use limits for the specific properties considered; staff will meet with neighborhood leaders about formal preservation pathways and how to incorporate design standards if the neighborhood pursues them.