Dallas City Council Approved Walnut Hill Lane Development

The council voted 9-5 to allow a 37-home residential project on a 3.7-acre site in North Dallas.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Residential

Isometric editorial illustration showing simplified wooden model houses arranged on a square plot of land, representing a zoning development. — The Dallas City Council approved a zoning change for a 37-home residential project on Walnut Hill Lane following a 9-5 vote. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local residents have final authority over density changes in their neighborhood zoning?

Dallas City Council members voted 9-5 to approve a controversial zoning change for a housing development on Walnut Hill Lane. The project will bring 37 new homes to a 3.7-acre site that formerly belonged to the Primera Iglesia Bautista.

Why it matters

The developer sought the rezoning because existing requirements for large lots and height restrictions prevented the project. While the council approved the plan, the decision has sparked a recall effort against a council member by neighborhood residents.

The new development will feature 37 homes on a 3.7-acre site, with 12 units planned as three-story structures. Homes are expected to range from $900,000 to $1.2 million, replacing current zoning rules that mandate 16,000-square-foot minimum lot sizes.

The players

Gay Donnell Willis

She is a Dallas City Council member representing the district where the zoning change occurred.

Centurion American

This is a real estate development firm that acquired the church property lots in May 2025.

The details

Following negotiations between the developer and residents, the project was downsized from an original 60 units to the final 37. The property, located near Walnut Hill Lane and Marsh Lane, had remained vacant after being struck by a tornado in 2019.

A tornado hit the church property in 2019.
Centurion American acquired the site lots in May 2025.
The council deferred a vote on the development in August 2026.
The city council approved the zoning change on September 23, 2026.
Residents plan to submit a recall ballot request next week.

Culture Shift

This development reflects the ongoing effort to densify North Dallas neighborhoods by moving away from legacy low-density zoning mandates. It follows the broader trend of repurposing vacant land in established urban areas to meet modern housing demand.

Residents should anticipate increased construction activity near the intersection of Walnut Hill Lane and Marsh Lane. The project will replace vacant property with 37 high-end homes, potentially altering local traffic patterns and neighborhood density.

The takeaway

The rezoning demonstrates how public negotiation can influence the density and scale of large-scale residential projects. Homebuyers in North Dallas should monitor the upcoming recall proceedings as they may influence future zoning policy.