SMU has applied  to the City of University Park, TX to rezone the property bounded by McFarlin Blvd. to the South, University Blvd. to the North, Airline Rd. to the West, Dublin St. to the East. Please note that McFarlin Blvd. to University Blvd. consists of two blocks with Fondren St. in between.

SMU is asking for the western portion of the property to be rezoned UC-1 (120ft maximum height), eastern portion of the property to be rezoned UC-2 (55ft maximum height). In addition to concerns regarding the current plan, which will be discussed below, approval of UC-2 zoning will give permission to SMU to build a 55ft tall multi-story parking lot on the residential side of the area proposed for rezoning.

We, as a neighborhood, do not oppose the graduate school which is planned to be built on the SMU side of the area proposed for rezoning. We are against SMU building a massive parking lot adjacent to our neighborhood, 50 feet from residences, with the possibility of changing it to a 55 ft tall parking garage in the future. 

Neighborhood feel: We don't want a massive parking lot right next to our homes. All the newly built schools in Highland Park and University Park including MIS/Highland Park Middle School, Hyer, Bradfield and Boone have underground parking to address this concern. SMU has the option to convert this area to a green space which will benefit their students and campus life, as well as the city and neighborhood.

Safety: Adding this massive parking lot will create a safety hazard for our neighborhood. Traffic will significantly increase on University Blvd. as well as the University Blvd., Dublin St. intersection where there is Burleson Park . The proposed parking lot is right across the street from the Park that consists of a playground, picnic area, tennis and basketball courts and, soccer and baseball fields.  

Environmental Impact: There is well documented evidence that structures similar to the proposed plan create a significant heat island effects (https://www.epa.gov/heatislands). There is very limited green space in the proposed plan which will significantly increase temperature in the surrounding area. In addition, there will be air pollution and noise pollution from increased traffic. 

Please sign this petition and say NO to UC-2 rezoning of the eastern portion of the property! The neighborhood side of the area proposed for rezoning should stay as residential or green space.