Why the Dallas City Council Won't Expand Historic Protections in Thriving North Oak Cliff

The Dallas City Council on Wednesday unanimously spurned Landmark commissioners' efforts to add historic protections to 10 properties in rapidly gentrifying North Oak Cliff.The Landmark Commission, appointees of the council, had unanimously initiated the expansion of the Lake Cliff Historic District, but did so over almost all the property owners' objections. After hearing the property owners' appeals and complaining about the process, council members killed the idea for the next two years. That means those buildings could be torn down before the commission gets another whack at the process, although only one of them is currently slated for demolition.Council member Lee Kleinman called the commission's attempt to expand the district an "egregious overreach" and an "unfathomable" restriction on property rights. South Dallas council member Kevin Felder said the commission had made "a power play" to enforce their will."I'm really shocked at this process," Felder said. "I know a number of these people appealing, and they have good character."  Continue reading...