this is the petition that you will be asked to sign to get the conservation district process started.   seventy-five percent of the property owners in phase one must sign the petition to  get the process started. As of May 15th, 2008,  23% of the phase one property owners have signed the petition. One street has 74% and other streets have over 50% signatures. 

City of Dallas

Conservation District Study

Petition for Property Owner Signatures

For the            Midway Hollow                                                                      neighborhood

Date:               July 26, 2007                                                           

Block Captain:   _____________________________________ 

Attention Property Owner:

Property owners and residents in our neighborhood are interested in looking into becoming a conservation district. Following are examples of reasons neighborhoods typically seek conservation district status:

1.      Encourage new construction to be more compatible

2.      Protect our large front and rear yard setbacks

3.      Keep our front yards with greenery

4.      Maintain the consistent heights of structures in the neighborhood

5.      Continue the use of materials that exist in the area (brick, stone, wood)

The Midway Hollow neighborhood wants to explore a conservation district to:

1.      Keep home upgrades or new construction consistent with neighborhood charm by using appropriate materials and building styles.

2.      Encourage the retention of “green vistas” by having top of roof lines less than tree top height.

3.      Protect mature canopy trees by protecting front and side yard vegetation.

4.      Protect front, side, and rear setbacks by deciding on total footprint ratio of building on lot.

5.      Encourage the use of street placed driveways by using alleys for city and utility services only.

If you are interested in initiating a study to explore becoming a conservation district, please sign the attached list next to the property(ies) you own. By signing this petition, you are not saying that you are voting for the area to become a conservation district, only that you wish to have the city work with you and your neighborhood to prepare a study for the area, following the procedures below. Only one property owner needs to sign the list per household.

The feasibility study process, if successfully initiated, includes:

1. City of Dallas staff evaluating the proposed district to ensure it meets the four conservation district requirements as listed in the Dallas City Code.

2. An information meeting with the neighborhood will be scheduled to explain the nature of the pending request.  This meeting will include a review of how the community meeting process would work, what being a conservation district means, and what items can be protected if designated as a conservation district. Staff will also review the results of the feasibility study.

If the feasibility study shows support for a conservation district, the community meeting process and creation of the ordinance includes:

1.      City staff holding a series of community meetings for property owners to discuss characteristics about the neighborhood they think should be conserved, protected and prohibited to maintain the atmosphere of the neighborhood.

2.      The city attorney prepares a draft ordinance of the characteristics and standards desired to conserve.

3.      Public hearings before the City Plan Commission and City Council are held to formally adopt the conservation district.

Community meetings will be held in a facility in or near the neighborhood and postcard notices will be sent to each property owner at least one week prior to each meeting date. Each meeting will allow participants the ability to express their opinions either verbally or in writing. Information from the meetings will be posted on the city’s website. You can view other conservation district ordinances and find more information at this website: www.dallascityhall.com/city_departments/development_services/long-range_planning/conservation_districts

Please contact the block captain listed above for additional information.