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MUNI-DALLAS COUNTYlocal legislationAgenda Ready

Proposed New Home Construction at 220 S. Cliff Street

Original title: 220 S. CLIFF STREET Council District 4 Tenth Street Historic District COA-26-000187 Rhonda Dunn Request A Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new main residential building (on a vacant corner lot) - one and a half stories high. Applicant Rafael Alfaro Application Filed 4/27/2026 Staff Recommendation That the request to construct a new main residential building (on a vacant corner lot) - one and a half stories high be approved in accordance with drawings and specifications dated 4/27/2026 with the following conditions: that windows be all-aluminum (i.e., no cladding) with lite configuration one over one (1 over 1); that length of louvered vent on front dormer be increased; that size of front dormer be increased in width and depth (extend forward to main roof edge); that window and door headers be top aligned on all elevations; that mullions (i.e., trim pieces) of four to six inches in width be added between paired windows; that foundation be a minimum of 15 inches above grade and be either pier and beam or concrete posts and beam; and that driveway(s), walkway(s) and steps be of brush finished concrete. Implementation of the recommended conditions would allow the proposed work to be consistent with preservation criteria Section (c) pertaining to site and site elements, and Section (b) under New Construction and Additions; the standards in City Code Section 51A-4.501(g)(6)(C)(ii) for noncontributing structures; and the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for Setting (District/Neighborhood). Task Force Recommendation No quorum - Comments only. Supportive with the following comment(s): 1. Correct foundation drawings - wall section shows slab on grade. 2. Check back door height (it appears too short).

June 1, 2026

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The Frame

What this does

The approval of this project determines the architectural standards for a new residential building in a protected historic district, impacting the property owner's construction plans and the neighborhood's aesthetic compliance.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Rafael Alfaro

The applicant must modify construction plans to meet city design requirements to receive approval.

Tenth Street Historic District residents

The new construction will alter the physical landscape of the neighborhood according to historic preservation standards.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 1, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The city is reviewing a request to build a new one-and-a-half-story house on a vacant lot in the Tenth Street Historic District. Planning staff recommend approval provided the applicant meets specific design requirements regarding windows, foundation height, and building materials.

Key Facts

  • The applicant seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness to build a new one-and-a-half-story residential building on a vacant corner lot.
  • Staff recommend approval contingent on specific design conditions including all-aluminum windows (1 over 1 configuration).
  • The foundation must be at least 15 inches above grade and use either pier and beam or concrete posts and beam construction.
  • Driveways, walkways, and steps must be constructed using brush-finished concrete.
  • Design requirements include increasing the size of the front dormer and aligning window and door headers on all sides.
  • Mullions between paired windows must be four to six inches wide.
  • The Task Force noted the foundation drawings currently incorrectly show a slab-on-grade foundation.
  • The Task Force identified a potential issue with the back door height appearing too short.
  • The application was filed on April 27, 2026.
  • The project must comply with City Code Section 51A-4.501(g)(6)(C)(ii) and Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines.

Why It Matters

The approval of this project determines the architectural standards for a new residential building in a protected historic district, impacting the property owner's construction plans and the neighborhood's aesthetic compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?
It is a formal approval required for construction or modifications within a designated historic district to ensure the work aligns with preservation standards.
What happens if the applicant does not follow the staff's conditions?
The staff recommendation for approval is contingent upon meeting these specific design conditions; failure to comply may result in the project not meeting preservation criteria.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Foundation Requirement Discrepancy

The applicant's current drawings show a slab-on-grade foundation, which conflicts with the staff's requirement for a pier and beam or concrete post and beam foundation.

Connected Entities

locationTenth Street Historic DistrictThe historic area where the property is located.Map →
personRhonda DunnAssociated with the application file.Map →
personRafael AlfaroThe applicant for the Certificate of Appropriateness.Map →
location220 S. Cliff StreetThe site of the proposed construction.Map →
organizationDepartment of Planning and DevelopmentThe department managing the review process.Map →

Sources

Open source document

webapi.legistar.com

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance30
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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