The Dallas City Plan Commission voted Oct. 9 to deny without prejudice a request to rezone roughly 23,000 square feet at the southeast corner of Louisiana Avenue and Seavers from R75A single‑family to DA duplex district (case Z25130).

Staff recommended approval of the DA rezoning, noting the site’s proximity to community retail zoning along Beckley Avenue and public transit (DART bus route 104). City staff member Mr. Bate described the site as vacant and said DA rules would allow duplexes with different setbacks and increased lot coverage compared with R75A.

Neighbors and the applicant both spoke during the public hearing. Longtime nearby resident Zedora Roll opposed the rezoning, telling commissioners the proposal “disrupts the single‑family set up” and raised concerns about parking, traffic and “visual and physical intrusion” from larger building mass on the corner lot. The applicant, Felipe Guel, described plans for three two‑story duplex buildings with front‑facing two‑car garages and small private rear yards.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on design choices, particularly the decision to place two‑car garages with front driveways instead of using the existing alley for rear access. Commissioner Kingston asked whether the applicant would still build if rear‑alley access were required; the applicant said he would not. Commissioner Forsyth expressed concern that the proposed string of front driveways would conflict with the city’s Vision Zero and walkability goals and moved to deny the rezoning without prejudice.

Commissioner Forsyth’s motion to deny without prejudice was seconded and put to a roll call vote; the commission carried the motion. Denial without prejudice leaves the applicant free to revise the proposal and refile at a later date.

Why it matters: The decision highlights recurring tensions in Dallas around gentle infill density—how to add housing without undermining neighborhood walkability, street character and public safety—and the degree to which garage placement and driveway design shape commissioners’ support for zoning changes.

Next steps: The applicant may revise the proposal (for example, by proposing alley access for garages or an alternate district such as an RTN/form‑based option) and return to the commission. The denial was recorded “without prejudice,” not as a permanent bar against future filings.