If there’s one thing that the discussion regarding the proposed restaurant at Boy Scout Hill has done it is galvanize a movement to preserve White Rock Lake. I suppose, depending on your viewpoint, this could be both positive and negative, as preservation often means ex-nay on any kind of development (or even re-development, for that matter).
Which brings us to one of the most interesting structures going up around the lake right now, the modern shipping container home on Peavy Road in Old Lake Highlands called PV14. The home, designed by M Gooden Design and constructed by Herman Darden Custom Homes, has sweeping views of White Rock Lake and downtown Dallas, thanks to its unique build and rooftop deck. This is definitely one of those homes that will be featured on the White Rock Home Tour when it’s done.
But what does it mean to preserve the views that make this home so interesting? Does it mean that we should eschew all commercial development surrounding the lake? Does it mean that the Dreyfuss Club, which burned down a few years ago, should never be rebuilt? Does it mean that the move toward organic and pesticide-free maintenance be embraced across the lake?
That’s what many homeowners and activists would prefer, including those that have rallied around the virtual campfire of Facebook, building new networks and enlivening discussions on what stewardship of public resources actually looks like in action, and whether flying a kite is a more worthy use of our precious few acres of public space than having a margarita at sunset from the deck of a restaurant atop one of the most scenic spots in Dallas.
The big question is, will development negatively impact home values, and will it no longer become attractive to build innovative properties such as PV14 if developers are allowed to winnow away at the lake’s few open areas?
