Dallas Planning Commission reviews zoning changes for MLK Boulevard mixed-use site

The Dallas City Planning Commission meeting on July 10, 2025, focused on a significant zoning proposal for a site located along Martin Luther King Boulevard in District 7. The discussion centered around a request to change the zoning from a Walkable Mixed Use 3 (WMU 3) to a Walkable Mixed Use 5 (WMU 5) form subdistrict, which would allow for increased building height and density.

The site in question is approximately 0.67 acres and currently developed with a church and retail spaces. The proposed change would permit a maximum height of 25 stories, significantly higher than the current limit of 3.5 stories under the WMU 3 designation. City staff recommended maintaining the WMU 3 zoning, suggesting that the proposed height increase was not appropriate given the existing infrastructure and neighborhood context.

Key points of contention included the shopfront overlay requirement, which mandates that ground-floor spaces be used for retail or commercial purposes. The staff emphasized the importance of preserving the retail character of the area, while the applicant sought to remove this requirement. The commission discussed the implications of the proposed zoning changes on traffic, parking, and community input, noting that a traffic study would be necessary as part of the review process.

The commission ultimately decided to hold the proposal under advisement until October 2025, allowing for further evaluation of the staff's recommendations and community feedback. This decision reflects ongoing concerns about balancing development needs with maintaining the character and functionality of the neighborhood. The outcome of this proposal could have significant implications for future development in the South Dallas Fair Park area, particularly in addressing the city's housing crisis.