North Cliff Neighborhood Association

North Cliff Neighborhood Association

North Cliff Conservation District

Located in the Oak Cliff community of Dallas Texas, the North Cliff Neighborhood Association's mission is to bring together its residents, fostering community spirit and diversity within a clean, safe and secure neighborhood. Formed in 1988, North Cliff became a Conservation District on Aug. 28, 1996, with a unanimous vote from the City of Dallas City Council. Street toppers were installed the following year.

North Cliff is bounded by 12th Street, Ravinia, Aster and Chalmers.

North Cliff Conservation District is a zoning tool that preserves the area's distinctive atmosphere or character through architectural guidelines, development standards and special provisions including zoning, land uses and setbacks.

Some examples of conservation districts in Oak Cliff are the Kings Highway Conservation District and the Bishop/8th Conservation District.

In the mid-1993, North Cliff Neighborhood Association requested assistance from the City of Dallas Department of Planning and Development to achieve conservation district status of the neighborhood.

The planning department found that North Cliff had four distinct architectural styles including Tudor Revival, Arts and Crafts, Minimal Traditional, Spanish Eclectic and Prairie Foursquare.

A conservation district helps to maintain and enhance the overall appearance of the neighborhood by encouraging appropriate exterior improvements in its individual structures. The district standards apply to building permits for exterior building changes. Enhanced code enforcment activity also occurs.

The North Cliff Conservation District ordinance has the following provisions:
1. New driveways will be constructed of concrete, brick, brick pavers or asphalt.
2. New frontyard fencing will be no higher than 3 foot.
3. 50 percent of the area between the front property line and the front building line will be landscaped with live plant material.
4. Child-care facilties and general merchandise stores of 3,500 square feet or less are not permitted uses in the light-retail area on Pierce Street, between Gladstone and Catherine streest.
5. New construction, additions or renovations made to the street-facing side of the house must conform with the designated architectural style. Each house in the neighborhood has already been cataloged by city staff according to the five preexisting styles: Tudor, Minimal Traditional, Arts and Crafts, Spanish Eclectic and Prairie Foursquare.
6. When pulling a permit, homeowners may experience a slight delay while city staff check records to ensure any work performed on the front of the house conforms with the conservation district language.
7. New vinyl siding placed on the exterior of the house will have a "wood-like" texture and appearance.
8. New doors and windows may be wood or a material similar to the original one. Aluminum windows are permitted only if they are factory-finished (painted). Storm doors and windows are permitted only if they are painted.
9. Minor repairs are permitted regardless of their conformance with architectural style guidelines.

About our association

Who we are

North Cliff Neighborhood was once the proud domain of large estates, picturesque dairy farms, and modest rural frame homes, many of which still stand. Development was completed in the 1940s with construction of Austin brck homes, reflecting the trend toward modernization in the American life style. North Cliff now includes approximately 500 dwellings in an area bounded by Ravinia, Twelfth, Chalmers, and Aster streets in the 75211 zip code area. Many of the homes have been well maintained throughout the years. Some have recently been updated while others have been completely renovated. There are still a few that await the personal touch of a new owner who is committed to preserving the history and legacy of north Oak Cliff.

What we've done

We serve
Neighbors bounded by Ravinia, 12th, Chalmers and Aster streets.

Our mission
Is to bring together residents, fostering community spirit and diversity within a clean, safe and secure neighborhood.

We were founded
In 1988 and have diligently worked to respond to resident’s needs. During these years, North Cliff N.A. has worked with our elected officials to ensure that our area continues to thrive.

Here are some of our accomplishments:

1988: Created and developed a central-city neighborhood association from the ground up — defined land boundaries, wrote bylaws, created board of directors and established neighborhood newsletter.

1988 to present: Work closely with Dallas Police to ensure the neighborhood remains safe and secure.

1988 to present: Guard neighborhood’s integrity by collaborating with City of Dallas Code Compliance office.

1988: Held first neighborhood cleanup.

1990: Sponsored North Cliff Springfest, which included first garage sale, a tour of homes along with Sunset Neighborhood Association, North Cliff’s Realtor Open House and North Cliff’s Crime Prevention Day.

1990: Began first curbside all-volunteer recycling program in the city of Dallas. Won numerous awards for this community service program that encouraged neighbors to recycle.

1992: Won second place for the most trash collected during fifth annual neighborhood cleanup, which netted us $150 and four trees. We competed against other Oak Cliff neighborhoods during the annual Keep America Beautiful Cleanup Day.

1993 to present: Paint abandoned and vacant houses and commercial buildings within our neighborhood boundaries that have been “tagged” with spray paint by neighborhood kids. (Research has shown that when graffiti is consistently removed within 24 hours, the graffiti will cease.)

1996: Attained North Cliff Conservation District status Aug. 28. (Studies show that special districts, such as a conservation district, spur urban revitalization. A conservation district helps maintain and enhance a neighborhood’s appearance by encouraging appropriate exterior improvements in its individual structures.)

1998: Secured $4 million in infrastructure improvements through the City of Dallas Capital Improvement Program bond elections. This effort began in 1991 with the Brooklyn Avenue beautification project.

1999 to present: Raise funds and write grants so new sidewalk ramps in our neighborhood will be colored with dye and brick stamped. So far, we’ve raised about $10,000. Look for enhanced ramps along Brooklyn Avenue, and Ravinia and 12th streets.

2000: Became incorporated as North Cliff Development Corporation in April.

Goals: 2002 to 2005

1. Become an official nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.
2. Tree plantings along Ravinia and 12th streets, which completes this 1999 beautification project.
3. Create a greenspace at the vacant lot at Gladstone and Pierce streets.
4. Establish permanent home for North Cliff N.A. in one of the commercial buildings along 700 Pierce St.
5. Purchase/install historic lighting along Brooklyn Avenue, completing this 1991 beautification project.