A rendering of the proposed development plan.
District 11 City Council member Jaynie Shultz held a community meeting at Dallas Bible Church on March 5 to discuss the proposed development of Pepper Square at Preston and Belt Line Road.
The rezoning and development plan of the square was introduced in 2022 and aims to transform the shopping center into a mixed-use area featuring restaurants, retail spaces, a public park, apartments, and walkable paths to White Rock Creek Trail and Kiowa Parkway. It also plans for green spaces, landscaping and a parking garage.
A rendering of the proposed development.
During last Tuesday’s meeting, attendees voiced concerns about the development.
“We don’t want high-rise buildings,” a neighbor said, receiving applause from others.
A question about where children from the new apartments would attend school went unanswered by Shultz. More arguments came from the crowd.
“The option of residential or no residential is not an option,” Shultz stated.
Lee Kleinman, former District 11 councilman and now senior adviser for Masterplan Texas, consulted on the plan.
The development could include 1,550 multifamily units, 67,000 square feet of retail space, and a 90,000-square-foot public park. Kleinman noted that about 25% of the current retail might stay, potentially including UPS, Trader Joe’s and Hobby Lobby.
If approved, the project is expected to be completed by 2033, with construction starting in 2026.
