NoRezoneHPV.org — No Rezone. No Hotel.

Neighborhood Update

Proposed Highland Park Village Rezoning

No official zoning application has been filed. We understand Highland Park Village has been working with the Town in preparation for filing in the coming weeks or months — the following reflects neighborhood conversations, not official plans.

Residents have heard that Highland Park Village ownership may seek to rezone the surface parking lot on the north side of the 4200 block of Mockingbird Lane (the North Lot, across Mockingbird from Highland Park Village) from current residential zoning (with a special permit for use as surface level parking) to commercial or planned development zoning for a hotel, parking garage and related commercial uses. The property is immediately adjacent to homes, across the street corner from Bradfield Elementary, and along heavily traveled neighborhood routes.

What Have Residents Heard?

The following is based on neighborhood conversations and information residents have compiled.

Rezoning residentially zoned land near the North Lot/4200 block of Mockingbird from single-family residential to commercial or planned development zoning.
An underground garage with approximately 1,000 parking spaces.
An 80–100 room boutique hotel (some reports include rooftop bar and pool).
A building estimated by residents to be approximately 3–4 stories.
New access points affecting Mockingbird, Douglas and/or Preston.
Possible restaurant or retail uses, depending on the final proposal.
New valet, rideshare, delivery, service and hotel-related traffic near residential streets.
A resident-reported filing timeline around mid-August, with possible hearings or Town proceedings in September and October.
They may pursue a Planned Development (PD) zoning request rather than standard commercial zoning. It is a customized zoning district created specifically for one property. Residents remain concerned that the proposal would authorize new commercial uses on land that is currently zoned residential.

Latest Updates

Campaign Updates

New developments will be posted here as they become available.

Core Position

Residents opposing this rezoning are not opposing Highland Park Village's existing footprint or real estate improvement in general. The opposition is to rezoning this specific residential land for commercial hotel, garage, restaurant, retail or service use near homes, Bradfield Elementary and residential routes in order to protect our kids and preserve our community.

The Ask: Vote No.

Why It Matters

Why Residents Are Concerned

Protect Our Kids

Bradfield Elementary students walk and bike through nearby residential streets every school day. Douglas, Mockingbird and the surrounding blocks already carry school carpool traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and families. Hotel guests, valet operations, rideshares, garage entrances, service vehicles, deliveries and construction traffic would add new risks near children and established school routes.

Preserve Our Neighborhood

Rezoning sets a dangerous and lasting precedent. If residential land can be rezoned here for a hotel, garage, restaurant, retail or related commercial use, what prevents the next request at the next residential edge? Once the residential boundary moves, it becomes much harder to move it back. Residents rely on stable zoning to protect quiet streets, privacy, neighborhood character and confidence in their homes.

Prevent a Source of Additional Traffic

A hotel or any restaurants, retail or related commercial uses would generate more traffic in the area, adding guests, employees, valet drivers, rideshares, deliveries and service vehicles and increasing congestion, turning conflicts and backups around the site. Drivers avoiding delays would shift onto Beverly, Windsor and University, with more cut-through traffic on Potomac, Livingston, Southern, Edmonson, Fairfax, San Carlos, Douglas and Armstrong. The added traffic would affect broader neighborhood driving patterns, not only the streets immediately next to the property. The addition of a parking garage and increased parking capacity — even without a hotel, restaurants, retail or related commercial uses — would draw more people to Highland Park Village, increasing traffic and resulting cut-through traffic and other community disturbances.

Protect Public Safety & Town Resources

Hotels operate around the clock and introduce a different pattern of activity than residential uses or traditional retail. Overnight guests, late-night arrivals, rideshares, valet traffic, deliveries and increased criminal activity could place additional demands on police, fire and other Town resources. New occupancy and sales taxes would generate revenue, but at a serious financial and quality-of-life cost.

Town of HP Zoning

What Is the Process & When Would Public Meetings Occur?

Request Filed

A zoning request is filed at least three weeks before the Town Council meeting at which it is introduced.

Town Council Referral

After receiving the request, the Town Council refers it to the Zoning Commission.

Zoning Commission Public Hearing

The Commission schedules a public hearing, publishes notice and notifies property owners within 200 feet. Residents may submit comments and speak at the hearing, and the Commission makes a recommendation to the Town Council.

Town Council Vote

The Town Council holds the final vote.

Dates to Monitor

Upcoming Town Council meeting dates currently listed: September 1, September 15 and October 6, all at 8 a.m. Meeting dates and agendas may change.

Who Decides

The Mayor, Town Council & Zoning Commission

The Highland Park Mayor and Town Council would review any zoning application and would likely refer the matter to the Zoning Commission for further review and a recommendation before a final vote on approval by the Town Council. The Highland Park Mayor and Town Council take final action on zoning changes.

Mayor & Town Council

Mayor Will C. Beecherl
Mayor Pro Tem Don Snell
Council Member Alan Friedman
Council Member Margaret Keliher
Council Member Mike Tibbals
Council Member Leland White

Zoning Commission

Ralph Perry-Miller, Chair
Sheila Holmes
Bob Kaminski
Mark Marynick
Jordan Wallace

What Can You Do?

Take Action Now

Write a Letter

Ask Town leaders to vote NO on any rezoning near Highland Park Village. Include your name, address or block and why this matters to your family.

Send to: Joanna Mekeal, Town Secretary — jmekeal@hptx.org

Email Town Secretary

Sign the Petition

Sign the circulating neighborhood petition. Email Andrew Whitcomb, or drop off a signed petition at 4409 Edmondson.

Download Petition PDF Email Signed Petitions

Request a Yard Sign

When yard signs are printed and available, request one on our website or by emailing.

Request a Sign

Spread the Word

Forward this to neighbors, Bradfield families, nearby homeowners and Park Cities residents who may not know this is happening. Share the concern in texts, neighborhood groups, school-parent networks, civic groups, social media and small gatherings.

Prepare to Advocate

Communicate your point of view to the Town of HP and be ready to attend Zoning Commission and Town Council meetings when hearings are scheduled.

View Key Dates

Sample Message (auto-filled when you click "Email Town Secretary" above)

"I am a (Highland Park/University Park resident), and I strongly oppose any rezoning of residential land near Highland Park Village for a hotel, garage, restaurant/retail expansion or related commercial use. This area is too close to homes, Bradfield Elementary, children walking and biking to school, and already-congested neighborhood streets. A hotel and garage would add traffic, public-safety demands and long-term zoning risk to a residential area that should be protected. Please vote no on any rezoning of residential land near Highland Park Village."

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Highland Park Village filed a rezoning application?

No. The Town has confirmed that no application has been filed yet, but we understand that conversations have been under way for months and even years. Current information is based on neighborhood conversations and may change. Residents' emails are being forwarded to Town leaders and retained as part of the official record, so sending a letter now still matters. Our current strategy is to get organized early and make opposition visible so that we have time to make a positive impact.

What is the process and when would public meetings occur?

A zoning request must be filed at least three weeks before the Town Council meeting at which it is introduced. Town Council meetings are generally held at 8 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Upcoming dates currently listed are September 1, September 15 and October 6, although meeting dates and agendas may change. After receiving the request, the Town Council would refer it to the Zoning Commission. The Commission would schedule a public hearing, publish notice and notify property owners within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning. Residents would have an opportunity to submit comments and speak at the hearing. The Zoning Commission would then make a recommendation to the Town Council, which would hold the final vote.

Does my voice matter if I live in University Park?

Yes. University Park residents can submit comments and participate in public meetings. Your voices help demonstrate broader community concern.

Can nearby property owners file a formal zoning protest?

Potentially. Texas law and Highland Park's zoning ordinance allow owners of qualifying property within 200 feet of a proposed zoning change to file a written protest. Whether a protest is available will depend on the final boundaries of the application and which nearby properties qualify. If owners representing at least 20% of the qualifying property ownership and land area oppose the request, approval would require a three-fourths vote of the Town Council rather than a simple majority.