07/18/02  Hello?  Is anybody out there?

Memo to Ed Oakley -- District 6 Council Representative

Ed -  

Along with others in our neighborhood, I have repeatedly asked for you help. The situation has only gotten worse in the last year and since I sent you the list of problem businesses over three months ago. 

None of the nonconforming businesses that have a detrimental impact on the neighborhood have been required to close. 

Illegally parked vehicles, illegal yard sales, illegal vendors, open prostitution, extensive drug dealing, violent crime, street vagrants, as well as open consumption of alcoholic beverages in public are worse today than when you were elected. 

Our neighborhood supported you when you ask. We need your support now.
 
You have repeatedly told me that "it is not your district". John Loza says it won't be his district.  I am not surprised at Loza; however, I am surprised at Ed Oakley.
 
I asked for you help with the nonconforming businesses.  Not only did you tell me that you did not want to help close the nonconforming businesses, but you felt that they should be left alone.  I am now told that you are the driving force behind changing the BOA rules that will result in making it much harder for citizens to require nonconforming businesses to comply with zoning. 

Ed, we need to know if you are on the side of the neighborhood or the nonconforming businesses.  I sent you the list of nonconforming businesses over three months ago and nothing has been done, except the proposed BOA rule changes to will make it easier for nonconforming businesses to operate.
 
Additionally, the Bachman Area has the DART Bus Yard, the City of Dallas Solid Waste Collection Station, the City of Dallas Recycle Center as well as the City of Dallas Maintenance Facility at Bachman Lake Park.  Now, DART is taking 40-50 developable acres for a DART Light Rail Yard.  I visited the Light Rail Yard in Fair Park and it looks like a concentration camp. 

Why does every undesirable and/or marginal land use end up in Bachman?  We want to do our share and more, but the SOBs, Rail Yards, Pool Halls, Dance Halls, Maintenance Yards, Solid Waste collection Sites, etc are detrimental uses that have a tremendous cumulative negative impact.  

However, you or no one else at the city of Dallas is saying "This neighborhood already has it share of marginal uses, let's put this rail yard on the Richardson or Garland line".  

Ed, are you going to represent the interest of this area like you promised when you were running?
 
This area looks like a third world country. High weeds, illegally parked vehicles, violent crime, open sales of drugs, public consumption of alcoholic beverages, prostitution, illegal vendors, street vagrants, every variety of code violation, etc.  Most of the street, stop, no u-turn, do not enter signs, as well as street light poles, have been knocked down by DWI drivers (and not replaced by the City of Dallas).  The DWI drivers come from the nearly 20 nonconforming alcoholic beverage establishments allowed to operate in the area.  

DWI drivers from the numerous nonconforming businesses (that you do no want to require to conform) regularly drive through the flower beds and on the side walk at my Bank, which results in considerable cost to repair and maintain.
 
After our dealings with you as a Plan Commissioner on the Lakeside Club, I did not feel I would ever support you for public office. However, Rob Richmond, Sharon Boyd and Tim Dickey convinced me that you were the right person for the job. 

I look forward to you reply at your earliest convenience. The CPC hears the BOA changes on Thursday July 18th and DART Staff has already decided to recommend the Rail Yard be in Bachman.  The other issues addressed in this e-mail also need you immediate attention.
 
Ed, we were there for you when you needed our help.  We are not asking for special treatment, just the same as any other neighborhood. 

Randy Staff