PH Neighbors Gather for the 2025 Annual Meeting
More than 30 Perry Heights neighbors gathered at the Reverchon Recreation Center on March 26 for the annual business meeting of the Perry Heights Association.
ENP Officers
Since 1989, off-duty Dallas Police Officers have provided periodic patrols of the Perry Heights neighborhood supported by financial contributions from residents. Two of the three Dallas Police Officers who make up Perry Heights Expanded Neighborhood Patrol team – Officer Robert Toatley and Officer Ashaki Hardeman – attended to meeting to meet residents and answer questions.
Officer Toatley announced that Officer Brent Jones, who has patrolled the neighborhood for decades, has retired. Officers Toatley and Hardeman have served Perry Heights for two years along with Officer Jerime Anderson, the third member of the patrol team.
There was much discussion about homeless individuals in Craddock Park. We were encouraged to call 911 if any illegal activity is witnessed, including sleeping in the park, or if you feel you are being threatened in any way.
To pass along information to the patrol officers, please contact ENP Committee members Patrick Burton ([email protected]) or Lori Christiansen ([email protected]).
Conservation District Consideration
In 2006, Rawlins Street residents in the 4300 – 4500 blocks gained approval from the City of Dallas to establish the Rawlins Street Conservation District to help maintain the historical character of the Rawlins Street homes. The city ordinance that created the Rawlins Conservation District specifies several standards for maintaining or amending existing homes. It is one of 16 Conservation Districts in the City of Dallas.
A Conservation District (CD) is a change in zoning that preserves an area’s physical attributes by providing additional development and architectural regulations. Each Conservation District is tailor-made for the neighborhood and what it wants to preserve.
Association President Tony Smercina highlighted the Dallas City Council adoption of ForwardDallas 2.0 as the City’s land-use roadmap for the years ahead and how it might impact Perry Heights. He suggested that gaining similar CD status for Hall and Vandelia streets can be an important step toward protecting the character of our 103-year-old neighborhood from future actions of the City and developers to pursue the goals of ForwardDallas 2.0, which call for increased density and more affordable housing options.
Smercina introduced Donovan Westover from the Stevens Park Village community in North Oak Cliff. He explained that Stevens Park Village is nearing approval of a new Conservation District to help maintain the historical integrity of its neighborhood. Stevens Park Village is made up of 150 single-family homes. Most were constructed 85-90 years ago.
Donovan explained the process his neighborhood has taken to educate homeowners and build consensus, leading to over 80% of the 150-home community signing the petition in favor of creating a CD. The pending Stevens Park Village Conservation District application will adhere to only five of the 32 development and architectural standards available. By comparison, the Rawlins Conservation District ordinance required adherence to almost all available standards. Hall and Vandelia residents would not be required to adopt the same standards as Rawlins Street.
Following the discussion, the Association members voted unanimously to investigate the merits of Conservation District status for the 4300-4500 blocks of Vandelia and Hall streets. This step does not impact Park Place homeowners or Rawlins Street, which already has its own CD.
A committee will be formed to investigate this option, which, if pursued, will take at least two years and several neighborhood meetings to complete. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact Tony Smercina ([email protected]).
New Board Members Elected
Following residents were elected to the Perry Heights Association Board for 2025-2026:
Michael Ray Blackstock – 4316 Rawlins
Patrick Burton – 4331 Vandelia
Jeanne Deptula – 4334 Rawlins
Diego Lorenzo – 4335 Rawlins
Rene Reyes – 4518 Vandelia (also owns 3321 Prescott in Park Place)
Tony Smercina – 4501 N Hall
James Young – 4512 Vandelia
These board members will serve until the next annual meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Following the meeting, the board selected its officers: Tony Smercina (President), Rene Reyes (Vice President), Patrick Burton (Secretary) and Diego Lorenzo (Treasurer).
The new board will meet for the first time on Thursday, April 17 at 6pm at 4434 Rawlins (the home of Jeanne and Robert Deptula). Please contact Tony Smercina ([email protected]) if you would like to attend, so accommodations can be made.
Craddock Park Cleanup — Saturday, April 5 at 9am
Spring is almost upon us, so Dominick Oliverie (4525 N. Hall St) is arranging another cleanup of the Craddock Park fence line bordering the Tollway. Please join us on Saturday, April 5 at 9am and bring your tools! Coffee and bagels will be provided. Hope to see you there!
Having Craddock Park in our neighborhood is an important aspect of what makes Perry Heights unique. Please join us on April 5th!