City Council - 2026-02-11
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Dallas City Council approved a resolution reducing the city's voting share on the DART board from majority control to no less than 45% (7 seats), a compromise aimed at preventing member cities from withdrawing from the regional transit system. The council also denied a 9% LIHTC application for The Cottages at Big Cedar on Mountain Creek Parkway in District 3, with Council Member Gracie citing the need for market-rate development rather than additional low-income housing in Southern Dallas. Four 4% LIHTC multifamily projects received resolutions of no objection, including developments at 1275 South Beltline Road, 1431 West Camp Wisdom Road, and the Northwest corner of South Lancaster Road and East Wheatland Road.
Key Decisions (10)
DART Governance Resolution - Reduced Dallas Voting Share
Council approved a resolution reducing Dallas's voting share on the DART board from majority control to no less than 45% (7 board seats), ensuring each of the 13 member cities has one seat. The resolution is a compromise to prevent withdrawal elections by six member cities. Vote was 13-2 with Council Members West and Mendelsohn opposed.
9% LIHTC - The Cottages at Big Cedar (Mountain Creek Parkway)
Council denied resolution of support for Roundstone Development LLC's application for 9% competitive LIHTC for a 74-unit development at Mountain Creek Parkway and Eagle Ford Drive in District 3. Council Member Gracie moved denial citing lack of community notification, need for market-rate development, and proximity to high-income areas in Grand Prairie and Cedar Hill.
PFC Mixed-Income Development - Mockingbird Corner (1241 W Mockingbird Lane)
Council authorized Dallas Public Facility Corporation to acquire and develop a 275-unit Class A mixed-income multifamily development at 1241 West Mockingbird Lane in the Medical District. Property has been vacant since 2017 with no property taxes paid in three years. 75-year lease agreement with GHN Holdings LLC.
PFC Mixed-Income Development - Trinity Basin (301 and 808 N Ewing Avenue)
Council authorized Dallas Public Facility Corporation to acquire and develop nearly 300 units of mixed-income housing at 301 and 808 North Ewing Avenue in North Oak Cliff, District 1. Property being acquired from a nonprofit currently not on tax rolls. 75-year lease agreement with Savoy Equity Partners LLC.
4% LIHTC - Beltline Flats (1275 South Beltline Road)
Council approved resolution of no objection for ECG BeltLine LP's application for 4% non-competitive LIHTC for a 180-unit multifamily development at 1275 South Beltline Road in District 8. Unit mix includes four-bedroom units. Income mix: 24.5% at/below 50% AMI, 51% at/below 60% AMI, 24.5% at/below 80% AMI.
4% LIHTC - The Henley (7535 University Hills Boulevard)
Council deferred consideration of resolution of no objection for Cohen Esri Development Group LLC's application for 4% non-competitive LIHTC for a 228-unit development at 7535 University Hills Boulevard until February 25, 2026. Council Member Blair indicated developer wants to make additional changes.
4% LIHTC - Huntington Place Senior Living (1431 W Camp Wisdom Road)
Council approved resolution of no objection for Cross Development LLC's application for 4% non-competitive LIHTC for a 210-unit senior multifamily development at 1431 West Camp Wisdom Road in District 3. Council Member Gracie supported as part of strategy for senior housing throughout district.
4% LIHTC - University Hills (S Lancaster Road and E Wheatland Road)
Council approved resolution of no objection for SL University Hills Partners LP's application for 4% non-competitive LIHTC for a 360-unit development at Northwest corner of South Lancaster Road and East Wheatland Road in District 8. Part of larger Hogue development with 500+ market-rate single-family homes. Income mix: 20% at/below 50% AMI, 70% at/below 60% AMI, 10% at/below 80% AMI.
Inspector General Search Firm Selection
Council authorized resolution to use Strategic Governance Resources Inc as the firm responsible for the search process to fill the inspector general position.
Quick Trip Donation - Police Blocker Trucks
Council accepted $509,581 donation from Quick Trip Corporation to fund purchase of four Ford F-550 blocker trucks for Dallas Police Department. Since 2023, DPD blocker trucks have been deployed over 1,200 times and absorbed five direct impacts preventing serious injury.
Development Activity (8)
Mockingbird Corner
275-unit Class A mixed-income multifamily development in Medical District. Property vacant since 2017. Census tract has 22% poverty rate with only ~1,000 housing units. Project would increase housing stock by nearly 30%.
Trinity Basin
Nearly 300 units of Class A mixed-income housing in North Oak Cliff, District 1. Entrance to neighborhood on Colorado as you exit I-35. Acquiring property from nonprofit.
Beltline Flats
180-unit multifamily development including 6 one-bedroom, 75 two-bedroom, 89 three-bedroom, and 10 four-bedroom units. Income mix: 24.5% at 50% AMI, 51% at 60% AMI, 24.5% at 80% AMI.
The Henley
228-unit multifamily residential development for persons of low and moderate income.
Huntington Place Senior Living Dallas
210-unit senior multifamily residential development for persons of low and moderate income.
University Hills
360-unit multifamily development. Part of larger Hogue development with 500+ market-rate single-family homes already under construction. Income mix: 20% at 50% AMI, 70% at 60% AMI, 10% at 80% AMI.
The Cottages at Big Cedar
74-unit development with 8 units under 30% AMI, 31 units between 30-50% AMI, 35 units between 51-60% AMI. 45 one-bedrooms and 29 two-bedrooms.
Dallas Executive Airport Hotel
First hotel at Dallas Executive Airport. First of four hotels within five-mile radius in last ten years. Will bring revenue to help airport become self-sustaining.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
City staff noted that without building more affordable housing, Dallas will not meet demand and will struggle to attract corporate relocations due to inability to support workforce housing needs.
Housing Demand
Council members expressed concern that Dallas has shifted from 45% rental housing to 60% rental, indicating significant change in housing market composition.
Sentiment
Multiple Southern Dallas council members emphasized their districts are ready for market-rate development and pushed back against concentration of low-income housing, signaling potential shift in affordable housing policy.
Commercial Demand
Council Member Gracie noted Southern Dallas areas near Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, and Duncanville are prime locations for quality grocery stores due to surrounding high-income areas.
Infrastructure
DART governance restructuring approved to prevent member city withdrawals; six cities had called for withdrawal elections, threatening regional transit system stability.
Sentiment
City Manager indicated staff will bring broader housing policy framework review to council, suggesting potential changes to how affordable housing projects are evaluated and approved.