Preserve Preston Hollow
Protecting scale, character and livability
Preston- Royal Takes Center Stage on Coffee and Politics 101
PPH members discuss the proposed towers, neighborhood character, zoning and whether District 13 residents are being heard
Pictured from left, are Save City Hall president Bruce Richardson, Preserve Preston Hollow members Susan Cox and Doug Hazelbaker, and podcast host Cydney Walker showing a rendition of what to expect with the proposed massive high-rise towers for Preston-Royal.
DALLAS (Aug. 29, 2026) — The proposed Preston-Royal development was the focus of the Aug. 29 episode of Coffee and Politics 101 Online, hosted by Cydney Walker at Mokah Coffee and Tea in Deep Ellum.
Preserve Preston Hollow members Doug Hazelbaker and Susan Cox were joined by Bruce Richardson, president of the Save City Hall Coalition president, for an hour-long discussion about the proposed high-rise development and the growing community response to it.
The conversation explored many of the issues at the heart of the Preston-Royal zoning case—including the proposed height and scale of the development, the Residential Proximity Slope, Forward Dallas 2.0, SB 840, affordable and “missing middle” housing, and what panelists described as a radical re-imagining of Community Retail zoning. The panel also discussed concerns that the proposed development is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood and could establish a precedent for similar development elsewhere in Dallas.
Another important theme was civic engagement: whether District 13 residents are being heard by their elected representative, particularly in light of neighborhood concerns surrounding Bluffview, Melshire Estates, Save City Hall and Betty Jane Lane. Hazelbaker and Cox also discussed PPH’s ongoing meetings with stakeholders and its efforts to ensure that residents’ concerns are heard as the Preston-Royal case moves toward consideration by the Dallas City Council.
Watch the full Coffee and Politics 101 Online discussion linked below and hear the conversation for yourself.
Dallas City Council’s Hearing on Preston-Royal Zoning Case Postponed to Oct. 14
Preserve Preston Hollow member and property owner within 200 feet of proposed development signs in at City Hall to present request for hearing delay.
(Aug. 27, 2026) Preserve Preston Hollow has successfully secured a postponement of the Dallas City Council hearing on zoning case Z-26-000007, concerning the proposed development at Preston Road and Royal Lane.
The case was originally scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026, and will now be heard by the Dallas City Council on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
The postponement provides additional time for Preserve Preston Hollow and area residents to review the proposed zoning change, supporting documents and other information related to the case.
More than 4,600 people have signed the Preserve Preston Hollow petition opposing the proposed zoning change in its current form.
Preserve Preston Hollow will continue to keep neighbors informed as the Oct. 14 hearing approaches.
City Plan Commission Advances Preston-Royal Zoning Request Despite Strong Neighborhood Opposition
At the podium, Gregg Hamill, one of Preserve Preston Hollow leaders, gives testimony opposing a Preston-Royal developer’s zoning-change request before Dallas City Plan Commission Aug. 6
(Aug. 8, 2026) — After more than three hours of testimony and debate last Thursday, the Dallas City Plan Commission voted 10-4 to move the zoning change requested for the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane to a city council hearing (date not yet announced).
The hearing made clear that opposition (including 4,500 petition signers) from nearby residents remains strong. At least three-quarters of those attending were supporters of Preserve Preston Hollow and opposed to the requested zoning change and, particularly, the proposed height.
While 15 people spoke in support of the developer’s request, approximately 40 residents gave testimony, asking the Commission to deny it. Many wore Preserve Preston Hollow shirts and came prepared to explain why they believe the proposed towers are simply too tall for this location.
[See The Dallas Morning News Article on our Press Page.]
The zoning request now moves to the Dallas City Council, where the next phase of this effort will begin. Preserve Preston Hollow will continue working to make sure Council members understand the concerns of surrounding residents and the strength of the community’s opposition.
Standing-Room-Only Crowd Launches D13 Together Coalition at Northaven UMC
Preserve Preston Hollow leader Doug Hazelbaker, at the podium, introduces news conference attendees to newly formed D13 Together.
(Aug 4, 2026) More than 150 residents packed a meeting hall at Northaven United Methodist Church on Tuesday for the public launch of the new D13 Together Coalition, creating a standing-room-only crowd as neighborhood leaders from across District 13 united to call for greater accountability from City Hall.
The news conference attracted widespread media coverage from CBS 11, NBC 5, The Dallas Morning News, KERA Radio, Preston Hollow Advocate, and park Cities People, underscoring growing public interest in the coalition’s message.
Representatives from Preserve Preston Hollow, the HEB Coalition, Wimberley Court, Bluff View, Melshire Estates, SoHip, West Kessler, Pepper Square and Safe City Hall stood together to announce the formation of the coalition. Several neighborhood leaders shared their own experiences and frustrations with District 13 Council Members Gay Donnell Willis, describing what they believe has been a pattern of unresponsive leadership on issues affecting their communities.
Coalition leaders said D13 Together already represents thousands of engaged residents across District 13, including more than 4,400 citizens who have signed petitions opposing the proposed Preston-Royal rezoning. They emphasized that while the coalition supports responsible development and investment throughout Dallas, residents deserve a genuine voice in decisions that will permanently affect their neighborhoods.
The alliance also announced that if the three zoning cases are not delayed to allow meaningful negotiations, it intends to pursue the recall procedures provided under the Dallas City Charter. With neighborhood organizations now working together instead of individually, D13 Together leaders say Tuesday’s turnout marks the beginning of a long-term effort to ensure the district’s residents have a strong voice at City Hall.
The next major test comes Thursday, Aug. 6, when the Dallas City Plan Commission is scheduled to consider the proposed Preston-Royal rezoning request.
Proposed Development View at Preston Road and Orchid Lane
Rendering of Proposed Buildings Viewed from Royal Lane looking East from the Dallas North Toll Road
What’s Happening
WHO
Preserve Preston Hollow (PPH) — a volunteer, nonprofit coalition of Preston Hollow-area neighbors working to protect the character, safety and livability of the neighborhood
Burk Interests — a commercial real estate developer seeking a major zoning change to build an ultra-dense, mixed-use project
WHAT
Proposed development includes six buildings up to 240 feet tall (19 stories) packed onto just 7 acres — including luxury condos, apartments, hotel, office and retail space
Developer requests a dramatic zoning change because current Community Retail zoning limits building heights at this corner to 54 feet
If approved, project would permanently transform one of Preston Hollow’s most established neighborhoods
WHERE
Southwest quadrant of Preston Road and Royal Lane
WHEN
Oct. 14 – City Council hearing
Residents are encouraged to sign up and speak out
Our Position
The neighborhood is supportive of the proposed mix of uses—multi-family, retail, and office—provided the development remains consistent with the existing Community Retail zoning, including the current 54-foot height limit.
We believe that aligning with the established zoning standard can be a positive addition to the corridor while remaining compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Why Neighbors Oppose The Proposal
Massive height and density that overwhelm the site and surrounding neighborhood
Completely out of character with Preston Hollow’s established scale and identity
Conflicts with the goals and guidance of ForwardDallas 2.0
Adds traffic and congestion at one of Dallas’ busiest and most dangerous intersections
Creates new safety risks for pedestrians, families and nearby school children
Could delay emergency response times from nearby Fire Station #41
Establishes dangerous “spot zoning” precedent for future high-rise encroachment
Reduces privacy and negatively impacts neighborhood livability
Raises concerns about health, noise, dust and disruption from deep underground parking excavation
Likely construction impacts include heavy truck traffic, staging areas, lane closures and prolonged disruption to daily life
What PPH Is Doing
Petition signing at Forest Lane and Inwood Road on May 2
Petition Drive
More than 4,600 residents have signed petitions opposing excessive height and density at Preston and Royal. Volunteers continue canvassing neighborhoods, gathering signatures, and informing residents about the proposal and upcoming hearings.
Residents queue to question developer’s architect at Community Meeting on May 18 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Community Meetings
PPH representatives and numerous neighborhood residents spoke at Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis’ and the developer’s meetings to question issues related to traffic, density, infrastructure, construction and compatibility.
Preserve Preston Hollow also hosted a Community Meeting on April 28 to educate residents about:
The zoning process
The proposed development
Potential traffic and infrastructure impacts
Ways residents can participate in upcoming hearings
Despite inclement weather, neighbors filled 150+ seats at Northaven United Methodist Church to hear from Preserve Preston Hollow
Outreach & Education
PPH continues providing residents with:
Neighborhood updates
Hearing information
Volunteer opportunities
Petition materials
Blue Form educational materials for property owners within 500’
Talking points for public meetings
Help Grow Our Petition to Oppose the Preston & Royal High-Rise
If you haven’t yet signed, we encourage you to sign the Preserve Preston Hollow petition. Each signature helps demonstrate to City Plan Commissioners and City Council members the strength, unity and sincerity of our opposition to development exceeding the current zoning height limit of 54 feet at this location. We especially need signatures from the 75225, 75229 and 75230 zip codes.
Representatives at City Hall should know and understand the neighborhoods they serve.
If Preston Hollow residents wanted to live near high-rise buildings, we would live elsewhere. Changing the Community Retail designation would be placing the needs of developers ahead of those of the community—the opposite of “Neighborhood-Focused Leadership.”
What’s Next?
The developers have submitted an application to change the zoning of this area, and the property owners with land closest to the site will have the most influence in what the Dallas City Plan Commission and the Dallas City Council decides to do next. A City Plan Commission Hearing is scheduled for AUGUST 6.
How to Help
We’d like to show the City just how widespread opposition to this proposed development is and encourage leaders to deny the zoning change request. Here’s what you can do:
Sign the Petition
Help Us Surpass 4,500 Signatures!
Download, print and share the “Say No” petition with friends, family and neighbors who:
Live within Dallas city limits
Are age 18 or older
Donate
Support outreach, printing, legal and traffic reviews, community organizing and hearing preparation.
Volunteer - Help Us
Canvass neighborhoods
Deliver informational flyers
Organize events
Assist at hearings
Spread awareness across the community
Recommend potential donors and experts
Contact preserveprestonhollow@gmail.com to lend a hand!
Contact City Leadership
Write Plan Commissioners – they will decide whether to recommend the zoning-change request to City Council
Write to your and other City Council Members – they all have a vote
Email District 13 Council Rep. Gay Donnell Willis at gay.willis@dallas.gov. We also have pre-printed postcards, if you’d like some.
Click here to view full contact list for Plan Commissioners and City Councilmembers.
Request a Yard Sign
By contacting PreservePrestonHollow@gmail.com.
Park Preston Neighbors Rally in Support of Preserve Preston Hollow
Highlighted were Preserve Preston Hollow activities, the urgency to attend the Aug. 6 Dallas City Plan Commission zoning-change request hearing, the importance of continued community involvement and financial support.
A Preserve Preston Hollow Plaza Plan was shared to illustrate how the property could be successfully redeveloped within the site’s existing zoning
Twenty-six park Preston residents gathered Sunday for an update on the proposed zoning change for the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane and to prepare for this week’s Dallas Cite Plan Commission (CPC) hearing.
219 More Neighbors Sign Petition in Mid-July Asking City Officials to “Stop the Madness” and Not Bust City Zoning Heights
Preserve Preston Hollow volunteers get ready to talk to locals about the proposed zoning-change request.
Dallasites signing the petition
Local resident wants city hall to Stop the Madness
Another Successful Weekend of Grassroots Action!
More than 75 residents added their signatures—and their voices—the weekend of June 13 to the growing opposition to Zoning Case Z-26-000007. During a two-hour outreach effort at several neighborhood locations, neighbors stopped by to learn more about the proposed high- rise development at the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane and to express their concerns about the project’s impact on Preston Hollow.
Support continues to grow. We are now at 4,600 petition signatures from area residents who oppose the zoning-change request. Neighbors from Brookshire Drive, Stichter Avenue, Lindenshire Lane, Royal Crest, Regal Park, Drexel Drive, and many other nearby streets made it clear: they do not want skyscrapers in Preston Hollow.
Outstanding Petition Signing Event on Sat, March 28.
New record of 61 signatures collected in 2.5 hours on Preston Road at Park Village Place. Residents from Gramercy, Lakehurst and Glendora pulled in to enthusiastically sign Preserve Preston Hollow petition opposing proposed skyscrapers.
PPHC members held petition-signing events at three locations Saturday, March 15.
Dozens of new petition-signers were added to our 3,600-strong list of area residents opposed to a zoning change that would allow skyscrapers buildings taller than 54 feet at the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane.
Currin Drive resident, left, signs petition with PPHC member at Northaven Trail
PPHC volunteer members encourage drivers-by along Preston Road near Orchid Lane to sign petitions
Cyclist Jean of Elderwood Drive sports her No Skyscrapers yard sign
Young family stops by Northaven Trail to add their voice in opposing proposed skyscrapers
Neighbors lined up at the signing table at Preston Hollow Park