NSO | Casa Linda Estates

Dear Casa Linda Estates Neighbors,

On Wednesday, November 5th, a group of neighbors attended the City Planning Commission (CPC) meeting at City Hall to share their perspectives on the proposed NSO for sections 2, 3 and 4.

Four residents spoke in favor of approving the overlay as originally submitted including one resident who lives on Buckner.

Three supported passing it with an adjustment to remove Buckner, as a majority of Buckner homeowners requested.

Two Buckner homeowners spoke against the measure altogether, with one requesting to postpone the vote.

If you’d like to hear the discussion in its entirety, there should be an opportunity to do so once the meeting is archived on the Dallas City Hall website.

To show my support for the NSO, my statement was as follows:

Several years ago, a group of residents began researching the process of establishing a Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay (NSO) for Casa Linda Estates. Our goal is to codify our deed restrictions—specifically regarding front and side setbacks—to preserve the unique aesthetic, open spacing and large-lot appeal of our community.

Establishing this NSO will allow the city to enforce these setback requirements during the permitting process rather than requiring an individual to file a civil suit to enforce the setback.

To date, we have completed the following required steps:

Submitted the initial NSO request
Measured all properties within the proposed NSO boundary per city instructions-
Attended the three city-required meetings, all of which saw strong community engagement
Secured signatures from 77% of residents, exceeding the 75% requirement for fee-free passage

Also please note this NSO mimics the NSO that passed in Section 1 of Casa Linda Estates that has been successful in enforcing the front and side setbacks. The city has verified our petitions and measurements as part of the process.

Regarding the boundary, while our original request included Buckner, the residents along Buckner have collectively expressed a desire to be excluded. Although we initially hoped to include them, we understand a motion by the city to adjust the boundaries and remove Buckner to accommodate their preference is being made today. While we did not initiate this request, we are aware of it and we have communicated this information to the neighborhood via our neighborhood email newsletter in order to be as transparent as possible.

We strongly encourage the city to approve this NSO to help preserve the distinct character and spacious lot design of our neighborhood.

All speakers were given 3 minutes to explain their viewpoint. At the end, a 2-minute rebuttal was allowed.

CPC member Melissa Kingston agreed that preservation efforts like this were good for a neighborhood but she understood that Buckner residents faced specific challenges and should be excluded based on the majority’s wishes. She announced her decision to vote in favor of the NSO with a modification to remove Buckner. The CPC members voted unanimously to support this decision.

The next step is for our City Council members to review the CPC’s recommendation and approve it. If you are interested in stating your support or opposition, please contact our District 9 council member Paula C. Blackmon at paula.blackmon@dallas.gov.

My deepest thanks go out to everyone in Casa Linda Estates who dedicated so much energy to this NSO proposal, as well as every resident in Sections 2, 3, and 4 who signed to support the petition. I would especially like to express my gratitude to Debbie Van Zant for her extraordinary leadership, time and unwavering commitment throughout this process.

As a fellow resident, I am confident that our neighborhood will reap the rewards of these efforts for many years to come.

Best regards,

Kristen Boothe

CLENA President

The Latest on the NSO

The result:

The CPC voted in favor of the NSO

with the exclusion of Buckner.