Standing-Room-Only Crowd Launches D13 Together Coalition at Northaven UMV

Preserve Preston Hollow leader Doug Hazelbaker, at the podium, introduces news conference attendees to newly formed D13 Together.

(Aug 4, 2026) More than 150 residents packed a meeting hall at Northaven United Methodist Church on Tuesday for the public launch of the new D13 Together Coalition, creating a standing-room-only crowd as neighborhood leaders from across District 13 united to call for greater accountability from City Hall.

The news conference attracted widespread media coverage from CBS 11, NBC 5, The Dallas Morning News, KERA Radio, Preston Hollow Advocate, and park Cities People, underscoring growing public interest in the coalition’s message.

Representatives from Preserve Preston Hollow, the HEB Coalition, Wimberley Court, Bluff View, Melshire Estates, SoHip, West Kessler, Pepper Square and Safe City Hall stood together to announce the formation of the coalition. Several neighborhood leaders shared their own experiences and frustrations with District 13 Council Members Gay Donnell Willis, describing what they believe has been a pattern of unresponsive leadership on issues affecting their communities.

Coalition leaders said D13 Together already represents thousands of engaged residents across District 13, including more than 4,400 citizens who have signed petitions opposing the proposed Preston-Royal rezoning. They emphasized that while the coalition supports responsible development and investment throughout Dallas, residents deserve a genuine voice in decisions that will permanently affect their neighborhoods.

The alliance also announced that if the three zoning cases are not delayed to allow meaningful negotiations, it intends to pursue the recall procedures provided under the Dallas City Charter. With neighborhood organizations now working together instead of individually, D13 Together leaders say Tuesday’s turnout marks the beginning of a long-term effort to ensure the district’s residents have a strong voice at City Hall.

The next major test comes Thursday, Aug. 6, when the Dallas City Plan Commission is scheduled to consider the proposed Preston-Royal rezoning request.