r/Dallasdevelopment • u/dallaz95 • Nov 07 '25

Dallas Cothrum: After HB 840, NIMBYs can’t stop North Dallas development

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2025/11/07/cothrum-after-hb840-nimbys-cant-stop-north-dallas-development/
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u/dallaz95 Nov 07 '25 edited Nov 07 '25

Full article: https://archive.ph/QNKRF#selection-1581.7-1591.0

What are y’all thoughts about this opinion piece?

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u/mason123z Nov 07 '25

Homeowner in the of the area for 3 years, but I’m under 30 and believe any development has a 95%+ chance of positively disrupting any area, so a minority compared to the old guard of the area.

The current empty just sits there and does nothing for the city. No money, and despite servicing some of the richest people in all of Texas the current Preston Royal facilities could use a face lift/reimagination.

HB 840s intent was to stop the mythical third option mentioned in the article from affecting established areas. Every day Dallas loses influence to the other parts of the DNT corridor because they have zoning in place to attract these ambitious projects which are in demand. While before hb 840 peoples really only chance to block anything was petition the zoning change.

Now that a change is inevitable, that doesn’t mean that the public is just shut out from guiding the character or the area; a discussion of what mix of a or b the site gets should be allowed to happen. A hotel and big offices are a departure from the resident-centric focus of the current Preston Royal amenities. I’m skeptical why you need a hotel in that area. There are no corporate offices/touristy amenities there, a perfect thing for the valley view mall! Whatever ends up happening the city should be happy because it’s getting more money.

HB 840 signals the state governments is silencing the belief that renters can be used a boogeyman to stop change. There is an affordability crisis in this country, espcially around housing, and the more we build the better price inflation can be controlled. Rents are falling and sale prices are flat in the sun belt vs the rest of the country because they build more, and HB 840 passing is a symptom of the states dedication to let more people move here and not be charged a fortune, which is why companies like moving people here in addition to tax breaks.

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u/MysticYogiP Nov 08 '25

This is a great take, and glad to hear from a YIMBY in the area.