The view of one of the four lots on Walnut Hill where single-family homes were razed.
Demolition crews have torn down four single-family homes along the south side of Walnut Hill just east of Preston. The unusual occurrence has prompted concern among neighbors and rumors as to what might become of the lots.
According to the Dallas County Appraisal District, the properties are owned by Romeo and Gayla Guerra of Plano, and the land is valued at about $150,000. When I called to ask about the plans for the properties, the woman on the other end of the line said the Guerras are out of town right now, but noted there are some “nosy neighbors” over there.
“The Guerras are not ready to release that information yet,” she said, hanging up before I could get her name.
But let’s face it, you can’t tear down four homes in a row on a highly visible Preston Hollow corner without drawing some heat from neighbors.
Each of the four lots is zoned single-family, which also allows for a handicapped group dwelling unit. In compliance with the Fair Housing Act, up to eight handicapped people, who are not related, can live in a single-family home. However, only one of those lots would qualify because such houses must be at least 1,000 feet away from each other.
Any other use would require a zoning change at the City Plan Commission, involving public hearings during which the community can weigh in. The city also requires a special use permit for single-family homes to operate as halfway houses or sober living houses — so no facility like that would be built without input from neighbors and approval at City Hall.
City Councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates doesn’t receive notice of every demolition permit filed but learned of this issue after several concerned calls from neighbors. She says that rebuilding single-family homes within the current zoning is the best use of the land, so that “the integrity of the neighborhood will remain the same.”
All we can do is watch the property and wait for either a building permit or a zoning application to be filed.
“We can’t speculate on problems until they arise,” Gates says.
