Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — Thoughts on zoning and housing in Dallas
City Council must protect Dallas
Re: “Opposing ForwardDallas isn’t racist or snobbish — It’s a zoning policy regardless of what City Hall says,” by Jim Schutze, July 21 Opinion.
I oppose ForwardDallas 2.0 with the same sense of danger this proposal brings to our American and Texan way of life as I did with the presence of short-term rentals in our single-family neighborhoods.
Why must we continue to defend these incursions on the character of life in our neighborhoods? Neighborhoods are America’s home. The backbone of family life. The places of choice to live peacefully, raise our children and retire.
ForwardDallas 2.0 pillages the American idea of home where the conviviality of neighbors, a child’s freedom to roam and the pride in homeownership are weakened for want of higher density. And why, when there are other solutions?
ForwardDallas 2.0 is so ill-suited to fostering family life that the word forward in its title is a misnomer for planning. While the proposal purports to carry Dallas forward, it will destroy enough of our city’s character as to decidedly take us two steps back.
I call on the Dallas City Council to protect our neighborhoods. Protect our Dallas. Vote for an exemption for R-zoned, historic/conservation and planned development districts, and neighborhood stabilization overlays.
Dennis C. D’Amico, Dallas/Caruth Hills
Applause for environmental justice
The most important and hard-fought outcome of ForwardDallas is completely missing from much of the media frenzy zeroing in on single-family housing. Downwinders at Risk and front-line neighborhoods have been fighting, negotiating, persuading and winning major environmental justice gains in ForwardDallas since its first soft launch in 2019.
The communities we fight for do not have stable neighborhoods because they are constantly at risk of industrial development as a result of planning efforts undergone in the ‘60s and ‘80s.
Where were the protectors of single-family neighborhoods when Floral Farms was being dumped on leading to Shingle Mountain? What about today as GAF threatens single-family neighborhoods in West Dallas or TAMKO Building Products factory in Joppa?
I wish I saw the same passion from concerned citizens fighting for their neighbors living next to cancerous factories as I’ve seen them fighting against a hypothetical duplex.
ForwardDallas is the first city-led plan that acknowledges this history and provides meaningful recommendations that will move the needle forward. It is not perfect, but planned unit development staff should be commended for making this policy impactful regarding environmental justice.
Evelyn Mayo, Dallas
City staffers’ ties questioned
I was wondering which members of the Dallas City Council and the City Plan Commission reside in a historical district or conservation district and thus would be protected from the provisions of the proposed ForwardDallas initiative.
Further, which members have significant holdings in rental properties that could be extended into currently protected single-family zoned neighborhoods if ForwardDallas guidelines are imposed.
Noble Hetherington, Dallas/Oak Cliff
More people fuels more culture
Re: “Handing developers the keys,” by Anne Stone and “Gatekeepers, protect our city,” by Mike Sundin, July 19 Letters.
These letters seem very concerned with protecting the culture of Dallas by maintaining widespread single-family zoning. Not to be rude, but when people think of Dallas-Fort Worth, they don’t think of culture. Maybe traffic.
Medium- to high-density buildings dominate the world’s great cities. New York, Paris, London, Tokyo and Rome are all not known for their suburbs.
Similarly, skyscrapers surround the cultural centers of Dallas, such as the Bishop Arts District. This is no coincidence. Culture arises when people come together. More people means more culture.
Single-family zoning puts everyone in a separate box to drive their car everywhere. Medium-density mixed-development spaces encourage walkability and intermingling of people while maintaining human-scale architecture.
If that’s not convincing, then consider that single-family zoning requires higher property taxes.
Thomas Urech, Richardson
Cutting housing costs is priority
What a Sunday Opinion section you published July 14. I read about two Russian dissidents now in the U. S., the housing crsis and a respected past Dallas mayor criticizing Joe Biden.
After considerable examination of public policy and economic inequality, I have come to the conclusion that the experts who have identified the housing crisis in America as the No. 1 factor in economic inequality are absolutely correct.
The approaches to correcting the crisis are multiple and varied, but doable. It is not acceptable to have housing eat up 60% or more of one’s wages.
The nation’s No. 1 economic priority must be to lower housing costs for working Americans to the 20% range. It’s doable, not pie in the sky.
Furthermore, much of the anger and desperation experienced by so many will dissipate. Our leaders must make this a priority. They need to educate the public why this is so important and how all of us are part of the solution.
Jerry Frankel, Plano
The many costs of moving
Re: “Stop hogging the houses, boomers — Millennials don’t stand a chance against empty nesters controlling a third of the market,” by Dallas Cothrum, July 7 Opinion.
It has been alluded to that property taxes are higher if you move and mortgage rates are also higher.
To elaborate, I, too, live in a four-bedroom, two-story house with pool on a creek. I’d love to downsize.
But as a 72-year-old, my taxes in Collin County have been frozen — thank you so much. They are wonderfully low.
Thanks to Gov. Greg Abbott , they are even lower. If I move, I’ll pick up the tax rate of the smaller home whose owner didn’t benefit from the seven years of frozen taxes. I estimate that’s a $300 monthly hit.
Further, while many boomers are mortgage free, I am not. A new mortgage would have a 5.5% rate, compared with my current 3.5% — a further $300 monthly increase. See why I can’t afford to move?
Gary Tutt, McKinney
Lack of houses inventory
Dallas Cothrum, you missed the boat on this one. I, for one, would be happy to see a young family in our too-big-for-us house in Lake Highlands. But where would we go?
As a boomer, I am looking for a smaller home, a newer build to reduce maintenance, one story, a lot with trees that still is small enough not to require extensive yard work — all in the city of Dallas.
I’ve been looking on and off for seven years. The problem, as I see it, is a total lack of inventory. Houses being built today are huge and multistory. Who is building houses designed for boomers?
Jenine A. Bucker, Dallas
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
Dallas, TX
Public frustration grows as Dallas leaders debate billion‑dollar City Hall fix or relocation
Cardi B, one of hip-hop’s most outsize personalities — and one of its most reliable hitmakers — is coming to Dallas.
The New York City-born rapper broke through in 2017 with the hit single “Bodak Yellow,” launching a chart-topping run that soon included “I Like It” and the blockbuster hit “WAP.” Her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, cemented her as a defining voice in contemporary rap, blending brash humor, confessional storytelling and club-ready production.
The 33-year-old’s success helped boost the profile of women in a genre long dominated by men, encouraging record labels to sign more female rappers. She has frequently teamed up with rising female artists, including GloRilla, FendiDa Rappa and “WAP” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion.
Cardi’s stop at American Airlines Center is part of the arena run supporting her second studio album, 2025’s Am I the Drama? Recent shows in the “Little Miss Drama Tour” have leaned into spectacle, with elaborate staging, surprise guest appearances and a set list that spans her entire career.
Fans can expect a high-energy performance built around booming trap beats, pop hooks and Cardi’s signature unfiltered banter — the same mix that has helped her sell out dates across the tour and turn concerts into party-like events.
DETAILS: March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tickets start at $334.10, but some verified resale tickets are cheaper. ticketmaster.com.
Pop legend Diana Ross performs March 7 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Sarah Hepola
OTHER CONCERTS
Bluesy psychedelic rock band All Them Witches performs March 7 at House of Blues Dallas.
Travis Pinson
ALL THEM WITCHES March 7 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.
DIANA ROSS March 7 at 8 p.m. at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. winstar.com.
RICH BRIAN March 7 at 8 p.m. at The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum. axs.com.
TRACE ADKINS March 7 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.
AFROJACK March 8 at 3 p.m. at It’ll Do Club in Deep Ellum. eventbrite.com.
LITHE March 8 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.
CONAN GRAY March 10 at 8 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.
MATISYAHU March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater in Dallas. prekindle.com.
OUR LADY PEACE, WITH THE VERVE PIPE March 12 at 8 p.m. at Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.
PAUL WALL March 12 at 9 p.m. and March 13 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.
The fiercest legislative primary fights Tuesday in North Texas were inside the GOP.
In Dallas County, two moderate GOP incumbent representatives faced challengers after being censured by their own county party.
In Collin County, several Republican state House members were fending off rivals running to their right.
The Dallas Morning News will provide live election results this evening when the polls close at 7 p.m. Results will be updated throughout the evening for statewide races and Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties.
Dallas County, House District 108
Republican Morgan Meyer, first elected in 2014, was challenged by attorney Sanjay Narayan in a district that includes the Park Cities, Oak Lawn and Preston Hollow.
Narayan criticized Meyer for backing renewable energy expansion and for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year.
Meyer was among House Republicans targeted after disputes over the House speaker vote and chamber rules. He and other lawmakers called the censure effort unconstitutional.
In the campaign, Meyer focused on property tax relief and emergency preparedness after the Camp Mystic tragedy.
Small business owner Allison Mitchell is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Dallas County, House District 112
Republican Angie Chen Button, who has represented the district covering parts of Dallas, Richardson and Garland since 2009, drew three primary opponents.
Button has highlighted her support for small businesses and public schools and her bipartisan record. A senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, she would play a key role in the state’s property tax debate if reelected.
Dallas-area delegation in the Texas House of Representatives on Sunday, May 30, 2021, showing State Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Garland, in the chamber.
Bob Daemmrich / Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto
Opponents Chad Carnahan and Tina Price attacked Button for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year, a move she and other lawmakers have criticized as an internal party power struggle.
Carnahan, a businessman, said he wants to lower property taxes and prevent Shariah in Texas.
Price said she would improve public schools and spur the re-use of old buildings. Also in the GOP race: Perry E. Barker Sr.
Democrat Zach Herbert was unopposed.
Collin County, House District 61
Two Republicans are seeking to represent the district that covers most of McKinney and parts of Frisco and Celina.
Incumbent Keresa Richardson, who was elected in 2024, and former state Rep. Frederick Frazier both support eliminating property taxes.
Richardson, an entrepreneur, said she would expand the Texas voucher-like program for education.
Frazier, a former police officer and McKinney City Council member, was more cautious about expanding the program.
Frederick Frazier speaks as Rep. Keresa Richardson looks on during a candidate forum for Republicans in Collin County ahead of the March primary election at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Anja Schlein / Special Contributor
Two political newcomers, Jackie Bescherer and Brittany Black, are running in the Democratic primary. Both oppose Texas’ voucher program and vow to increase public education funding.
Collin County, House District 67
Republican Rep. Jeff Leach, first elected in 2012, faces Matt Thorsen in a district that includes parts of Plano, Allen, McKinney and Melissa.
Leach has highlighted his conservative record, including legislation barring Shariah in Texas courts. He also served as a House impeachment manager during Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2023 trial, a role he has defended amid backlash from activists.
Thorsen, a small business owner and former youth pastor, helped lead the effort to censure Leach last year. He has criticized Leach’s impeachment role and accused him of siding with Democrats on House rules.
Both support eliminating property taxes, expanding education savings accounts and oppose the development formerly known as EPIC City. Two Democrats are also running, though the district has leaned Republican.
Collin County, House District 70
Three Republicans are competing for the nomination to run against incumbent Democrat Mihaela Plesa, who is running unopposed in her party’s primary.
Democrat Mihaela Plesa responds to questions during a District 70 Candidate Forum hosted by Raise Your Hand Texas at Plano ISD Academy High School in Plano on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.
Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer
George Flint, a former district judge and Collin County Republican Party Chair, emphasized eliminating property taxes and securing the border in his campaign.
Jack Ryan Gallagher, an attorney, said he would attract companies to North Texas, improve public schools and partner with local law enforcement if elected.
Michael Hewitt, an attorney, said he would gradually lower property taxes and work to keep Texas a business-friendly state.
The district includes parts of Plano, Richardson and Far North Dallas.
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