Fort Worth Avenue Development Group

Writer’s Tel 214.653.2400

scott@griggslaw.com

May 27, 2010

Via Email

Honorable David A. Neumann

Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

Re: DHA Proposed Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Use at Cliff Manor
Request for immediate ruling on proposed new use

Dear Councilmember Neumann:

As you know, while we are committed to our social responsibility to aid the longtime
homeless with mental illness and addictions, we must balance this commitment with our
responsibilities to the quality of life of the adjacent neighborhoods and the quality of
education to our children, to whom we have promised providing nothing short of the best
educational environment at Stevens Park Elementary.

In this regard, PD 714 represents the codification of our community vision and balance
between these competing responsibilities. Cliff Manor is zoned PD 714, Subdistrict 4. In
this zoning, both (1) community service centers and (2) convalescent and nursing homes,
hospice care, and related institutions are permitted only under Specific Use Permits or
SUPs.

We strongly disagree with the DHA that the new proposed PSH use at Cliff Manor is a
multifamily use. Rather, we submit that this new proposed PSH use falls within the
categories of (1) community services centers and (2) convalescent and nursing homes,
hospice care, and related institutions. Therefore, this new use requires an SUP and should
DHA want to proceed, the City must require DHA to undertake the SUP public hearing
process.

We stressed the need for this decision at our meeting with you on Monday, May 24. We
respectfully solicit a ruling on this matter from the City of Dallas by no later than
Wednesday, June 2, 2010. We trust you understand the urgency of this request and your
office is already leading and expediting this matter accordingly.

FWADG ! PO Box 225120 ! Dallas, Texas ! 75222-5120 ! www.fortworthavenue.org

An all-volunteer non-profit organization redeveloping the West Commerce/Fort Worth Avenue Corridor
Honorable David A. Neumann
Dallas City Hall
May 27, 2010
Page 2

CURRENT USE

Presently, the 180-apartment Cliff Manor facility serves the elderly and/or physically
disabled. Onsite staff currently only includes management and maintenance. Onsite staff
does not include any health care providers or social workers. Rather, third-party health
care providers regularly visit the facility.

PROPOSED USE

As proposed, DHA will provide 100 apartments with skilled onsite services as part of PSH
to homeless individuals recovering from drug/alcohol addiction and/or under treatment for
mental illness. By DHA’s own admissions, the proposed PSH use at Cliff Manor comprises
an integrated combination of housing, medical services, and social/psychological services.
The medical services and social/psychological services are continually, physically and
programmatically integrated with the housing component.

Institutionally and medically, onsite nurses and social works will provide continuous skilled
care in a near-inpatient environment. While we agree that DHA would be both medically
and socially negligent if these comprehensive services were not continually provided, an
SUP is required for this use, nevertheless.

We submit that this proposed use does not fall under the category of multifamily and we
anticipate the resolution of this question by the City. As you realize, this fundamental
zoning question must be answered in conjunction with the establishment of a policy
framework by the Mayor and Council for the equitable implementation of PSH in Dallas.

Your urgent attention to this matter is appreciated.

Very truly yours,

Scott Griggs
Scott T. Griggs
President, FWADG

cc: Honorable Tom Leppert, Mayor

Honorable Steven Salazar, Councilmember District 6
Honorable Delia Jasso, Councilmember District 3
Bob Stimson, President, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce
Victor Toledo, President, West Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Michael Amonett, President, Old Oak Cliff Conservation League