Expand & Preserve
Lakewood
Our Purpose
A group of neighbors in Lakewood initiated the process with the City of Dallas in 2021 to expand the Lakewood Conservation District boundaries. The original Lakewood Conservation District, which was formed in 1988, only covers a portion of Lakewood and hundreds of the original homes on Lakewood, Lakeshore, Avalon, Tokalon, and Westlake are not protected. The current conservation district starts at Abrams and does not extend east of Brendenwood or Copperfield.
A neighborhood committee petitioned homes in the expansion area in the spring of 2022, obtaining signatures of 68% of homeowners expressing the desire to move the process forward with public meetings to discuss an ordinance.
Between August 2022 and March 2023, City staff led 15 public meetings with neighbors in attendance expressing their opinions on development and architectural standards.
In February 2024, City staff presented the draft ordinance in two public meetings with neighbors in attendance. All neighbors in the expansion area and existing Lakewood CD were invited. Following these meetings, an online survey was released by the City to obtain additional feedback on the draft.
The next step is for the draft to be edited by City Staff based on the online survey feedback. it is expected that changes will be made to lessen restrictions and simplify the language. Once revised, the new draft will be made available to the public.
Next, the ordinance will be presented to the City Plan Commission, followed by City Council. For an ordinance to take effect, it must be approved by Council.
It has been recognized that there is minimal support on Hideaway, the 6800-6900 and 7100-7300 blocks of Tokalon, and the 7000 block of Westlake. A group of supporters has recommended to Neal Sleeper and other Plan Commissioners that the boundaries be adjusted to remove those blocks. A revised map has been suggested. Only Council can actually change the boundaries of the expansion area.
The goal is not to stop new construction or remodels, but to ensure that historically significant homes are protected, and new projects blend in with the original neighborhood character. We wish to prevent the furthering of architecture which diminishes the historic importance and value of our neighborhood. If we are going to preserve the character of our area of Lakewood, we must do something now, as many of our wonderful homes approach their Centennial! Let's save the charming feel of our blocks for generations to come.