Cypress Creek apartment complex approved amid controversy

Dallas - In the face of local opposition, the contentious Cypress Creek at Forest Lane multi-tiered housing project has now received the green light for construction in the unoccupied Lake Highlands area, thereby overcoming numerous attempts to derail the project.

The 2.85-acre site earmarked for the project, located at 11520 N. Central Expressway, is on the brink of undergoing significant change. The approved plan includes a four-story, mid-rise apartment building with an extensive parking area.

The detailed proposal comprises 189 residential units, bolstered by a shared workspace and a dog park. Notably, a significant share of these units, specifically 100, are designated for low-income households that earn between 30% and 80% of the average regional income.

The Dallas City Council, after a meeting on June 14, permitted the city to enter into a nearly forty-year lease with the developers of the Cypress Creek at Forest Lane project. This agreement will facilitate the construction and operation of the planned apartment complex.

Despite District 10 City Council Member Adam McGough’s persistent efforts to impede or delay the project, his attempts ultimately fell short. This unsuccessful effort coincided with the end of McGough's tenure as the Lake Highlands representative, due to term limits. He, along with fellow council members Casey Thomas and Cara Mendelsohn, were united in their opposition to the project.

In an interview with Community Impact, Kathy Stewart, McGough's successor, voiced similar criticisms against the Cypress Creek at Forest Lane development.

The project, first presented to the City Council in 2021, has faced several obstacles, notably deed restrictions, which limited the site's use to office buildings, hotels, motels, and restaurants only. Nevertheless, in a strategic move in May, the City Council acquired the empty plot, planning to lease it to the developer Sycamore Strategies to enable the housing project.

McGough justified his opposition citing wide community resistance, potential litigation threats, and geographical concerns related to children's school commute. He also expressed concerns about the lack of safe public transport and easily accessible grocery stores in the area.

Addressing accusations of "NIMBY-ism" (Not In My Backyard), McGough clarified that his resistance to the Cypress Creek at Forest Lane project did not equate to a general rejection of affordable housing. He mentioned his recent endorsement of affordable housing projects in his jurisdiction, like the St. Jude Center Vantage Point, as proof of his stance.

Adjacent property owner William Roth warned of possible legal action against the city for violating deed restrictions if the project goes ahead. Despite similar threats from other nearby property owners, the City Attorney maintained that such threats would not influence the City Council's decision on the project.

According to a memo from Assistant City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry, the city's involvement in the project would render the deed restrictions on the property unenforceable.

Proponents of the Cypress Creek at Forest Lane project contend that the development can address a pressing need for affordable housing in a "high-opportunity" zone. As per the Dallas City Hall website, these zones are areas in Dallas with a poverty rate of 20% or less, as per census data.

David Noguera, the head of Dallas' Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, explained that the chosen site's closeness to a variety of amenities was a determining factor. The site's beneficial location offers access to a wide range of retail services, high-performing schools, and a Dallas Area Rapid Transit station within a quarter-mile radius.

During the discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold recognized McGough's safety concerns, acknowledging that these challenges are typical in underserved communities. Nevertheless, she asserted that the benefits of providing affordable housing outweigh the potential risks, including the possibility of legal proceedings.

Opposition to the project was not limited to McGough and his supporters. William Roth, owner of a commercial building near the contentious site, threatened legal action against the city, alleging violation of deed restrictions if the project advances. However, the City Attorney clarified that such threats would not influence the City Council's decision on the project.

As outlined in a memo by Assistant City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry, the city's involvement in this project would effectively render the deed restrictions on the property unenforceable.

Supporters of the Cypress Creek at Forest Lane project argue that it will help meet the pressing need for affordable housing within a "high-opportunity" zone. The Dallas City Hall website defines these zones as areas in Dallas where the poverty rate is 20% or less, as revealed by census data.

David Noguera, the head of Dallas' Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, emphasized the site's strategic location during the meeting. The plot, he pointed out, is advantageously placed near a range of retail services, top-performing schools, and a Dallas Area Rapid Transit station within a quarter-mile radius.

In the midst of these discussions, Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold validated McGough's safety concerns. However, she argued that the benefits of offering affordable housing for low-income residents outweigh the potential challenges, including the threat of legal action.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, City of Dallas