Dallas, TX
Developer withdraws plans for warehouse after challenge from Southern Dallas Megachurch
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/HD4ATUWBKJBJ3BR6ESDZ3NYA44.jpg?ssl=1 "Developer withdraws plans for warehouse after challenge from Southern Dallas Megachurch")
Days after a civil court sided with a prominent Southern Dallas Megachurch to prevent the construction of a warehouse, developers withdrew their plans Thursday and said they will join hands with the church on plans that are agreeable to the community.
In a joint statement with Friendship-West Baptist Church, Stonelake Partners said though it acquired the property in accordance with the zoning and has the right to build a warehouse, it does not want to conflict with the community’s desires for the land.
“Ultimately a warehouse is not what the community wants, and Stonelake does not desire to be in conflict with the community,” according to the joint statement.
The leaders of both organizations, Senior Pastor Frederick Haynes III and Kenneth Aboussie, said in the statement that they shared a common Christian faith and had concluded they “could accomplish more by working together than by working in conflict with each other”.
“In scripture, it is written in Matthew 5, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,” and we have both decided to pursue peace rather than pursue further litigation,” the joint statement said. Both parties agreed to withdraw all litigation, according to the statement.
Stonelake Partners, a real estate investment firm, had planned to build an industrial warehouse on Wheatland Road, between Friendship-West Baptist church and a government facility, and across the road from a high school and residential neighborhood.
City officials denied a building permit for the warehouse Aug. 31, 2023. They said the project lacked a proper traffic plan because the entrances and exits to and from the facility were not connected to Interstate 20 and would have routed the majority of the truck traffic onto Wheatland Road.
That denial was later reversed by the Building Inspection Advisory, Examining and Appeals Board, a quasi-judicial board of architects and engineers.
The church then filed for an injunction in December to challenge the board’s decision and temporarily halt the warehouse construction. In court filings, the church said the project was emblematic of Dallas’ history of zoning industrial sites near low-income, predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. They also said the truck traffic congestion and emissions and its proximity to residents would cause “irreparable harm.”
Five days later, Stonelake filed its own legal challenge against the city. The firm said it had complied with the law and was building a warehouse on a tract of land zoned for commercial use.
During the three-hour injunction hearing on Feb. 19, lawyers from both sides defended their positions in what ultimately was a fight between property rights and the ethics of building a warehouse in close proximity to a residential area. Haynes said during the hearing that the land could be better used to address a housing shortage in the city.
Judge Aiesha Redmond granted the injunction Feb. 20, and set a trial date for April 19, 2025. The trial will not take place now that there is an agreement between the church and developer.
For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
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