Page 29 - Legal Aid CRP EJ Toolkit

Avoiding Patchwork Zoning: Generally, planned development districts (PDDs) are
areas without regular zoning standards, but which have a specific outline of appropriate
uses often divided into various sub districts, depending on size. Particularly in South
Dallas, many of the industrial operations are in various PDDs. Instead of dealing with
each PDD, it may be advantageous to look at current zoning across all the PDDs in the
area and reconsider appropriate land use. The PDDs are a patchwork approach at a
community’s land use that are often hard to understand. Considering the entire area,
instead of artificially divided PDDs, could improve the cohesion of the residential and
commercial areas, and provide transparency to the public.

Floodplain Deindustrialization: The City of Dallas has launched its “Comprehensive
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Environmental Climate Action Plan” and is focusing on the Trinity River watershed.
Identifying the industrial operations that are in the floodplain is relevant in assessing the
climate preparedness of the City of Dallas. Potential impact is exacerbated by the risk of
leaching, dumping or flooding of toxic materials or byproducts into the Trinity River.
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The Trinity River Comprehensive Plan outlines the various walking, biking, and
environmental-tourism opportunities that the river presents to the city, especially as a
catalyst to bring economic development to riverfront communities. Having the river
corridor industrially impacted could be counter to the plans to make it a hub for
recreation.
Conclusion

Shingle Mountain is a striking example of how small incidents of neglect can add up to create
the perfect storm for an environmental crisis. The small benefit of the Shingle Mountain incident
is this toolkit: how we as a community can ensure that there is never another Shingle Mountain.
There are numerous communities in the study areas that are only a few oversight and
enforcement mistakes away from being at risk. Closing the gaps in information and
communication will go a long way in protecting our low-income communities of color in the
City of Dallas from environmental and health disasters.

29 “Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan.” CECAP, www.dallasclimateaction.com/cecap.
30 “Trinity River Corridor Comprehensive Land Use Plan.” Trinity River Corridor Comprehensive Land Use Plan,
City of Dallas, 2009, www.trinityrivercorridor.com/resourcess/Shared%20Documents/clup-complete.pdf.
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