The Dallas City Plan Commission voted Nov. 6 to approve a rezoning that creates a new mixed‑use subdistrict within Planned Development District 595 for a roughly 3.65‑acre site on the northwest line of Spring Avenue between Southern Street and Cross Street.

Staff told commissioners the proposal would add two commercial buildings along Spring Avenue, preserve an existing retail building, and place about 24–25 townhouse‑style residential units around a central open space. The proposal includes design standards the staff said would require a 6‑foot minimum sidewalk, internal pedestrian connections, enhanced crossings, a minimum of 8,000 square feet of contiguous open space, and a bioswale or buffer along the creek on the west side of the property. Development standards in the proposal include a 15‑foot front setback, 10‑foot side and rear setbacks, a 1.5 floor‑area ratio, a 45‑foot maximum height (three stories) and up to 80% lot coverage.

Applicant representatives said the project would activate Spring Avenue with retail and community uses, and include a local boxing gym and coffee shop. Michael Williams, public policy and community relations manager for The Real Estate Council (TREK), said TREK and other investors plan technical and financial support, including a pledged $1 million over three years and $350,000 earmarked for the boxing gym.

Vice Chair Herbert moved to close the public hearing and follow staff recommendations for approval subject to recommended conditions; Commissioner Carpenter seconded and the motion carried. Staff and the applicant noted additional design detail and tree‑preservation measures will be set during subsequent engineering and site‑design approvals rather than the PD ordinance itself.

Why it matters: The approval creates capacity for neighborhood‑scale multifamily housing and small commercial uses in the South Dallas Bay Park area plan, and attaches design requirements the commission said are intended to protect walkability and stormwater quality along the adjoining creek. The commission’s action is administrative; the ordinance will be implemented through the PD conditions and later development plans.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the public hearing record and include staff planner Hashemi and applicant representatives Rob Baldwin and Michael Williams of TREK. The commission’s approval was recorded as a vote to follow staff recommendation subject to conditions.