The Dallas City Council unanimously approved the North Cliff Authorized Hearing, the third rezoning case to come out of the West Oak Cliff Area Plan (WOCAP).
The WOCAP, which was adopted by City Council in 2022, led to the Downtown Elmwood Authorized Hearing, approved in January 2024 and the Jimtown Authorized Hearing, approved in January 2025.
The fifth authorized hearing, Clarendon-Edgefield, has been deauthorized due to a lack of community support (the original filers have moved). The fourth and final case, Hampton-Clarendon, is currently being considered by the City Plan Commission.
WOCAP garnered input from 582 residents who attended online meetings, 370 residents who attended in-person meetings, and 952 completed surveys.
Council’s approval of the North Cliff Authorized Hearing will set the stage to revitalize the 5.15-acre, former streetcar stop and potentially save the art deco-era retail buildings that District 1 neighbors hope to preserve, rehabilitate and bring back to life. The rezoning will allow a greater variety of uses, including art galleries, small merchandise or food stores, and restaurants while reducing parking minimums for the existing commercial buildings.
“The neighborhood center and the buildings that comprise it are very special and actually served as the catalyst for the land use planning that kicked off the entire WOCAP process in 2018,” said District 1 Councilmember Chad West. “I’m proud of the hard work of our neighbors and city staff and look forward to doing everything we can as a community to save these buildings and restore this center to its former glory.”
In addition, there are currently 15 single family homes in the area that are non-confirming. By allowing residential use including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), the new zoning can help provide protection for homeowners in the area and allow the flexible, gentle density option of ADUs that most neighbors support.
“I thank Chad West for promoting a zoning plan passed by the Dallas City Council that can revitalize the historic North Cliff retail center at the corner of Catherine and Pierce,” said Mike Matthews, North Cliff Neighborhood Association representative. “This action preserves vintage architecture (where the Sunset Streetcar line used to stop) and provides opportunities for our neighborhood.”
