Originally Posted by Dallas News

Editorial: Dallas needs more affordable housing, just not like this

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We support the plan laid out in the recent NeighborhoodPlus proposal that would push developers to set aside affordable units in new developments in exchange for so-called up-zoning — that is, zoning in excess of what they are permitted by right.

But a proposal before the City Council on Wednesday to require affordable housing in a massive new office and residential development at 2101 N. Pearl St. doesn’t strike us as fair play.

The planned development from Trammell Crow Co. includes two towers, of 19 stories and 32 stories, with almost 20,000 square feet of retail space and 255 residential units.

Both buildings are taller than the 17 stories Trammell Crow can build on the site under existing zoning.

This might have been a ripe opportunity for the city to seek concessions from the developer for affordable housing. The problem is that the development was in planning at City Hall for eight months before the idea of including affordable housing was ever broached.

The first mention came in June, on Trammell Crow’s third trip to the City Plan Commission about the project. During that hearing, Commissioner Paul Ridley suggested that the company set aside 20 percent of all housing units at a rate affordable for people earning 80 percent of the median area income, or about $50,000 a year.

The Plan Commission rejected the proposal, 12-2, but Trammell Crow may find a less-friendly reception at council, especially if Council Member Philip Kingston, who represents the area, insists on the change.

Company officials are quite clear that if the council attempts to require them to include an affordable element in the proposed development, they won’t build any residential units. They will build nothing but office space. That would be the worst possible outcome.