Proposals to boost housing production through ‘gentle density’ increases face strong opposition from residents concerned about losing single-family neighborhoods.

Writing in D Magazine, Matt Goodman describes the combative mood at a recent Dallas City Council meeting, when council members strongly repudiated efforts to adjust the city’s zoning regulations to boost density and include more duplexes and other ‘middle housing’ types.
According to Goodman, an analysis “found a gulf of 33,600 rental units for individuals who make 50 percent of the area’s median income, which, based on analysis of Census labor data, includes more than one third of the city’s residents.” With the Dallas area becoming increasingly unaffordable for many residents, “City staff are tackling one of the things that could help impact the supply: allowing more than one unit of housing on lots that presently can hold only one.”
Yet sentiments against upzoning run high, and “Dallas is nowhere close to making such a decision,” and even proposals to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the city have met with strong pushback. City staff insist the goal is to promote “context-sensitive, gentle-density” that takes into account existing neighborhood character. However, Goodman notes, “What was clear after Tuesday is that they will have to win a fight before they can even begin to research ways to achieve this goal.”
FULL STORY: In Dallas, the Argument Over Single-Family Zoning Heats Up

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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