Dallas City Council considers MF2 zoning application for affordable housing on Wheatland Road

The Dallas City Planning Commission meeting on July 10, 2025, focused on a proposed multifamily housing project at 7100 West Wheatland Road. The application seeks to rezone the property from a community retail district to an MF2 multifamily district to develop 90 affordable housing units across two- and three-story buildings. The staff recommended approval of the project, emphasizing compliance with residential proximity slope regulations.

Rob Baldwin, representing Express Development, presented the proposal, highlighting the project's commitment to community engagement through deed restrictions. These restrictions include landscaping requirements, a six-foot perimeter fence, and limitations on construction hours to minimize disruption to the surrounding neighborhood. Baldwin noted that the developers aim to work collaboratively with local residents to address concerns.

However, the proposal faced significant opposition from community members. Several residents expressed concerns about increased traffic, safety issues, and the adequacy of local infrastructure to support the new development. Carol McKill, a nearby resident, raised alarms about the potential dangers of traffic congestion, particularly with only one entrance and exit for the proposed apartments. Other speakers echoed her sentiments, citing past accidents and the strain on local resources, including emergency services.

Linda Jordan, a former Dallas Housing Authority employee, criticized the developers for inadequate community engagement and highlighted the existing abundance of subsidized housing in the area. She argued that the neighborhood should not bear the burden of additional low-income housing without corresponding improvements in local services and infrastructure.

The meeting underscored a growing tension between the need for affordable housing and the concerns of existing residents about the impact of new developments on their community. The commission will consider the feedback from the meeting as it moves forward with the decision on the rezoning application.