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The Real Estate Council is
actively monitoring issues at the state and local level that impact
the commercial real estate industry and our partners. Our mission is
to build a better city – and public policy is an essential component
of that vision.
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A New Playbook for Dallas
On March 2, Kim Tolbert
began serving Dallas as Interim City Manager, following the departure
of T.C. Broadnax. Tolbert has a long history of public service in
Dallas and the North Texas Tollway Authority, most recently serving
as Deputy Assistant City Manager under Broadnax.
City Hall has already seen major changes. Tolbert quickly released a
playbook and announced her guiding principles of Communication,
Collaboration, and Connection, identifying six priority
areas – pension, budget, development services, recruiting &
retention, homelessness, and communication.
Tolbert also made changes to the city’s organizational chart,
elevating two well-respected city staff to serve as Interim Assistant
City Manager (ACM) – Robin Bentley and Donzell Gipson. Next, Tolbert
hired Alina Ciocan from Sanger, TX as ACM over the city’s “livable”
portfolio and promoted Dallas Fire Department Chief Dominique Artis
to Chief of Public Safety.
In addition, Tolbert has also announced several key director-level
staffing appointments:
· Cynthia
Ellickson-Rogers | Director of Housing & Neighborhood
Revitalization
· Emily Liu | Director of
Planning + Urban Design
· Elizabeth Saab | Chief
of Strategy, Engagement, and Alignment (CSEA)
· Sarah Standifer |
Director of Dallas Water Utilities
Read Tolbert’s full
playbook here
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The City Attorney’s
Office (CAO) has recommended that new multifamily projects filed
after January 1, 2024 should NOT pay a parkland dedication fee (for
now) while staff and the CAO prepare a new parkland dedication
ordinance draft. Please contact TREC if
you believe your project was assessed a fee in error and we’ll
connect you with the correct city staff.
City staff want to advance the Forward Dallas Comprehensive Land
Use Plan this summer. Initially approved by the Comprehensive
Land Use Plan Committee on January 9, the City Plan Commission (CPC)
has been briefed several times and is expected to vote on the plan in
July. If approved, the Dallas City Council will then vote whether to
adopt the plan in the fall, following their July recess. The
plan has come under increased scrutiny by neighborhood groups who are
concerned about changes to future zoning in single-family
neighborhoods. Learn more about the proposed plan
The Development
Services Department (DSD) now offers an Enhanced Zoning
Consultation to
go deeper into site considerations, plans, and limitations. These
consultations start at $100 for up to a one-hour session. This
service targets:
· Planned Development
District (PDs)
· Form-Based Districts
· Legal Build Sites
· Parking Analysis
· Zoning Determinations
· Ideal for Consultants
& Zoning Professionals
Additional fees may
apply. Contact TREC with
questions or to provide City Staff feedback on this new service.
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Charter Review Commission
The Commission
recommended 30 out of 123 proposed amendments to the city charter for
full Council consideration. Council also proposed 17 of their own
amendments. Throughout June, Council will review the amendments and
vote to place them on the ballot by mid-August for the November
election. Read the list of amendments.
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7800 North Stemmons Freeway
The Ad Hoc Committee on
General Investigating & Ethics was briefed on May 2 regarding the
ongoing investigation into the purchase, renovation and subsequent
relocation of all staff due to permitting issues in the new home of
Development Services and other city departments. Additionally, the
city auditor has opened an internal investigation. The Economic
Development Corporation has been engaged to assess the building and
identify a path forward. Read More
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Digital Advertising Kiosks
Dallas hit pause on its
proposed RFP for digital advertising kiosks after significant
stakeholder objection. TREC, along with other organizations, opposed the
first RFP process and requested more
transparency, planning and consideration for current property owners
in future considerations. After two public meetings, Tolbert decided
to delay future RFPs until after location and design guidance is
complete and a stakeholder task force is in place.
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Mobility Issues Working Group
In March, the Council
was briefed on three interconnecting mobility projects that would
impact the urban core and Dallas mobility for generations. TREC is
analyzing each project and participating in conversations with city
staff and community stakeholders.
Projects include:
- I-345
- High-speed rail from Fort Worth
- Streetcar
To sign up for the
mobility issues working group, please contact Jennifer Schmiel.
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Public Policy Committee
Are you interested in
serving on the Public Policy Committee? The next meeting is Thursday,
August 1, at 8:30 a.m. Please contact Michael Williams or
more information.
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TREC welcomes Michael
Williams as its new Public Policy & Programs Manager. Most
recently, Michael worked with the City of Dallas as the Mayor Council
Liaison for Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis (District 13). Before
his time at the city, he was a Legislative Aide in the Texas House of
Representatives and a government professor at the University of Texas
at Arlington. At TREC, Michael will focus on PAC, Public Policy and
TREC’S educational programs. Say hi to Michael.
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Manage Your Preferences
The
Real Estate Council
3100 McKinnon Street, Suite 1150 Dallas, TX 75201
214.692.3600 | recouncil.com
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