What do Diverse and Thriving Neighborhoods mean in Lewisville?

The Thriving Neighborhoods Big Move in the original Lewisville 2025 vision plan focused on the continued reinvestment in existing neighborhoods to retain lifelong residents while attracting new families and residents. This approach was expected to increase quality of life, support excellence in the education system and help meet employment center labor force needs. Recommended strategies supported property maintenance and upkeep. In addition, the Big Move proposed actions to create a cohesive residential network of well-connected groups of neighborhood leaders in neighborhoods without organized homeowner associations. With improved communication, new neighborhood outreach programs were encouraged and a new staff position was added to be a voice for neighborhoods, coordinate with partner organizations and engage residents in code enforcement and revitalization activities.

The New Neighborhood Choices Big Move in Lewisville 2025 sought to make Lewisville the location of choice for all ages and incomes, with an increased emphasis on housing for empty-nesters seeking to downsize, millennials seeking urban mixed-use residential, more upscale housing and expanded types of housing such as townhomes, condos and lofts. Specifically, loft and mixed-use residential choices were encouraged near DCTA stations, in the Old Town area and in the focal point areas. Opportunities for mixed-use development included the conversion of older garden apartment projects and aging strip centers into mixed-use neighborhoods incorporating work, living and retail uses. Different product types were also promoted such as live-work units, accessory cottages and retirement communities. The long-planned annexation of Castle Hills was identified as a way to expand Lewisville’s stock of more upscale housing.

Many accomplishments have been achieved related to both Thriving Neighborhoods and New Neighborhood Choices since 2014. These accomplishments are the result of programs in multiple City departments that provide expertise and assistance to address specific neighborhood concerns or opportunities for improvement. Some examples of these programs include engagement events. While some of these activities have paused due to COVID and budget constraints due to the pandemic, this position has pivoted to administer the CDBG programs. These neighborhood initiatives are expected to operate again in the future.

Two small area plans were adopted in 2018: one for Old Town North and the other for Southwest Lewisville. After engagement with residents and business owners in both areas, important issues were identified and prioritized leading to the formulation of framework plans, community character and design elements and action steps for implementation. New neighborhoods emerged at most remaining infill locations, which were developed with single family and townhomes. Urban mixed-use developments are taking shape in Old Town, Northern Gateway, Southern Gateway and the Realm at Castle Hills. Several senior housing developments have been completed and several more are planned for development.

Additional regulatory changes support the desired diversity in new housing. A complete rewrite of all development-related ordinances began in 2019 with expected adoption in spring 2021. New provisions in the rewrite impacting neighborhoods include reduced minimum dwelling unit sizes and expanded opportunities for backyard cottages, both of which should increase the housing supply in existing, often affordable neighborhoods. A 10-Minute Walk-to-a-Park Study, completed in 2019, revealed that many neighborhoods are not adequately served by the current park system. The City’s parks investments now are targeted to fill these gaps.

Rather than considering existing and future neighborhoods separately, this Big Move now establishes the same objectives for all neighborhoods – that they should be thriving and remain sustainable and desirable places to live over time. Together, Lewisville’s neighborhoods should offer a diverse range of housing choices that meet residents’ needs throughout their lives.

It is imperative that all neighborhoods in Lewisville be successful and vibrant whether they be new neighborhoods or neighborhoods that have existed for many decades. Five key areas of focus will be instrumental in achieving the future success and vibrancy of Lewisville neighborhoods. First, recommendations of the Mayor’s Commission - Listen, Learn, Lead should be used to frame all activities related to neighborhoods to ensure continued diversity and inclusion. These long-standing challenges are essential to address.

Second, the impending Castle Hills annexation, which will unify all portions of Lewisville, will be an opportunity to include Castle Hills residents and their community character in the Lewisville culture and identity. After annexation, the residents of Castle Hills should feel that they are part of the collection of unique neighborhoods that forms a progressive and thriving community.

Third, availability of affordable and workforce housing has become a priority as housing costs have doubled since 2014. The Neighborhood Services Department will commission a housing study. The findings of this study should be the basis of new tools and strategies to achieve greater opportunities for affordable/workforce housing throughout the community.

Fourth, continuation of the programs operating since 2014 will help to engage residents and support successful neighborhoods. These include public safety initiatives, work to support code compliance and investment to rapidly decrease the number of neighborhoods that do not meet the 10-Minute Walk-to-a-Park standard, so all Lewisville residents have reasonable access to green places where they can play and connect to nature.

Finally, this Big Move proposes a collaborative effort to define and secure for all neighborhoods the sorts of “essential neighborhood resources and services” that have proven so vital during the Coronavirus pandemic. These essential neighborhood resources and services could include but are not limited to broadband, accessible virtual learning, job training, parks within walking distance, community gardens, healthy food in current food deserts, libraries, educational/informational centers, some level of medical access/care, safety from crime, emergency resources, neighborhood gathering places, central pickup spots for shared transportation and resiliency hubs. All City departments will work with residents and partner organizations to define these resources and services, to identify neighborhoods where they are lacking today, and find collaborative ways to meet these needs. Current partnerships, so critical to past neighborhood successes, should be strengthened, and additional partnerships formed to provide these resources and continue the enhancement of all Lewisville neighborhoods.

These approaches will apply to neighborhoods throughout Lewisville, existing and new. They should keep Lewisville thriving because they provide diverse choices that help people at all stages of life and all income levels find the housing, resources and community engagement they need to achieve their own visions for the future.

Goal

Maintain and enhance Lewisville’s Diverse and Thriving Neighborhoods.