Highland Park, residents oppose new apartment building plans

A new luxury seven-story apartment building is slated for the popular Knox-Henderson neighborhood.

The property is right on the border of Dallas and Highland Park, and it has some Highland Park homeowners saying, "Not in my backyard."

Highland Park has already passed a resolution saying its not on board because it would infringe on the enjoyment and privacy of the town's residents, especially at Abbott Park.

The dynamics will definitely change, said Angeline Cohen, who frequents the park with her 2-year-old son. It will get more crowded.

Developers want to spend $80 million on the 258-unit high-end building, where rentals would range from $3,000 to $5,000 a month.

But luxury upgrade is not what some Highland Park residents like Joe Williams want in a neighbor.

His worry is that if zoning changes, too many people will be packed into a small space, congesting streets for everyone.

When you walk down the street, you see this pretty tree line, and you look up and there's the sky, said Williams. It would take that away. But I think now, one of the biggest concerns is just the pure traffic.

Frank Stich is with the powerful Oak Lawn Committee, advising Dallas City Council on area development. Stitch was around when another group attempted to rezone for a high-rise in 2005, but failed.

We think this is absolutely the best re-adaptive use of this site that we've seen in 10 years, said Stitch.

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Highland Park, residents oppose new apartment building plans