Comments on: What Project Will Neil Emmons Ruin Next?

By: Doug in DFW

Doug in DFW — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:53:42 +0000

Ms. Brosi – I will have to trust the proper authorities whenever they indicate that Neil Emmons works hard. Meanwhile, I’ m ready for my punishment when Congress passes that law. Perhaps it will cure me of my other problem – asking people offline “Do you know who I am?”
If you have any way to get this vital piece of legislation passed please do not delay.
Keep Dallas Positive. Three Strikes. Out.

By: Leslie Brosi

Leslie Brosi — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:07:51 +0000

Ms. Culbreath, The Dallas Morning News reported an interesting story related to your management of the Plan Commission, entitled “Culbreath apologizes for actions taken at previous meetings, erupts again” (date 4-14-06):
http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/bi/gold_print.cgi

The DMN article is public information about the tumultuous goings-on when you were in the leadership position at the Plan Commission and it verifies eye-witness testimonies.

Your many years of public service, with noble intent, have been duly noted.

By: betty culbreath

betty culbreath — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:51:24 +0000

Ms. Brosi & AGA I do not apologize to any one the way I ran the meeting. I did not allow Emmons to ask question that were not zoning related because, I know where they would end up. In COURT ! The case you are speaking of, Emmons and Angela Marshall were asking what the State grade standing was for the Charter school, however they never ask low performing DISD schools the same question. Asking DHA what kind of people will rent their property ? Deny zoning because they house poor people . The questions had nothing to do with land use. Zoning is Land. Remember Cinemark! Millions of tax dollars spent because zoning denied on bull crap. You need to get your information right when it comes to me. I work by the rule. Do I get up set ? Yes ! When I see someone misusing the system and wasting tax dollars. I serve this City for 41 years, free and work full time. I have done well and could be very happy sitting at home. I do not call anyone and ask to be on any board or commission. Everyone knows how serious I take the job and Fight go with it!If I’m on your side after the meeting you come up and say thank you, the other side storms out of the room hating me so it all goes with the territory. Just as Sharon spoke for me I can tell you all are speaking for Emmons. Have a wonderful day!

By: Shane P

Shane P — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:21:19 +0000

So Angela, what are your thoughts on this project? Will you support it when it comes before the CC?

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:21:16 +0000

I just want to state, as a citizen, i think it’s incredible that we now have a forum and the technology to have this debate, AND have community leaders, council people, columnists, et al., chime in on the process.

It’s pretty riveting, and I think this thread alone notes how powerful and enlightening our new media vehicle has become. On the bittersweet side, it’s also the all-to-obvious indicator of why the paper media is doomed.

I can only hope the other non-interactive council people take note, and start to jump in on these debates as well.

By: Leslie Brosi

Leslie Brosi — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:25:13 +0000

Kay, haven’t you noticed I’ve been smiling?

By: Kay

Kay — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:46:42 +0000

AGA (aka Neil Emmons from the tone and very knowledgeable comments of City procedure) – now ya’ll have really confused me! If they’re in their own PD (184 I think someone said) then why do ya’ll keep talkn about PD 193? Cuz if PD 193 is all around them, then their extra height of 30 or even 50 feet is like 10-15 yards. And even I know that is only a first down for our beloved Cowboys! So let’s show these boys some southern charm and give them their few feet…..BUT, smile sweetly and graciously and accept their 16 or 17 gifts!

By: Leslie Brosi

Leslie Brosi — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:08:02 +0000

Ken, zoning is there to protect the land and community. Some developers expect the City to hand over the up-zoning so they can “make their numbers work”. Seriously, this is an argument that I’ve heard numerous times. You would think prospective developers would “run their numbers first” – just like every other tax-payer is expected to do when they buy a car. Wouldn’t it be just peachy if we all got bailed out after we bought a Bentley when we could only afford a Toyota and our argument is “my numbers don’t work”! If the City had better-defined policies in place, i.e. that up-zoning is done in the rarest of circumstances, the City could save a fortune in administration costs, the inner city parks and green spaces would be spared, prospective developers would know what to expect, and tax-payers would have more confidence in City leaders. Developers apply for and EXPECT up-zoning in this area. Up-zoning is not something developers should be led to expect. That should be an exception. I believe we have a problem at City Hall.

By: AGA

AGA — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:31:52 +0000

If you chopped the head off of every developer in this city today, there would be twice as many of them tomorrow, all wanting half-again as many development rights as they bought.

A point worth mentioning is that this city does not have a “planning department.” There are two full-time planners in the City, and they’re mostly buried in busywork. We have a “Department of Development Services,” which contrary to the ideas floating around in this debate, do no planning whatsoever. They help developers get cases ready for CPC hearings, and they try to blunt-down the most egregious requests.

NO developer shows up at CPC with plans that are good for the surrounding areas…at least none that I have ever seen in my umpteen dozen days of sitting through cases waiting my turn. What I see, over and over, are people trying every way they possibly can to somehow build more than they have a right to build under their zoning.

The developer in question did EXACTLY what the worst of them do–they floated a pretty-perfect drawing of what they’d build if only we’d give them scads of extra height and development rights. Then they show you the hideous, butt-ugly drawing of what they threaten to build if you don’t give them what they want. It’s tantamount to blackmailing the public. And it’s also complete horsefeathers.

This developer will sit down and get serious now that it will take 12 votes to overrule the denial. They’ll build the pretty building, and they’ll build it shorter. That’s how this game works.

By: Ken

Ken — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:25:24 +0000

This seems very disconcerting to me, I would expect the city and neighborhood groups to be insisting that a new development provide underground parking, but what I’m reading is they are BLOCKING a new development that is WILLING to provide underground parking and in turn are going to “allow” a parking structure that is going to be visible by every person walking down the Katy Trail or driving down Cedar Springs!! Who is running this show?? Parking lots and parking structures are a blight in downtown cities and even more so in an area like Oak Lawn.

I hope it’s not too late to do anything, but someone at the city needs to grab the reigns and get this back on track quick. We should be so lucky to have a developer come to our city, not ask for a penny and then spend more than necessary to give Dallas a quality development.