DALLAS — A Dallas City Council committee has voted against a proposed ordinance that would have required homeowners with viral holiday displays to shoulder traffic control costs instead of taxpayers, despite concerns over public safety and neighborhood disruption.
City staff estimated it cost about $140,000 over two months to manage traffic near a north central Dallas home that drew large crowds during Halloween and Christmas. Officials warned that congestion on the narrow street, which lacks sidewalks, created hazards for residents, pedestrians, and emergency responders.
“Residents complained of traffic congestion, which made it difficult for them to enter and exit their neighborhoods,” city staff said, noting that the situation also led to a vehicle collision involving a police officer.
Police described the mix of vehicles and pedestrians sharing the same space as “very, very dangerous,” with visitors flocking to the upscale home after its decorations gained attention on social media.
City staff had urged council members to adopt an ordinance allowing police to require homeowners to obtain a special event permit and pay related costs when large crowds gather. Homeowners who refused could face fines to recover taxpayer expenses.
Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis supported the proposal, saying that even if attracting crowds is unintentional, the city is often unprepared to manage the resulting traffic.
“It may not be the intention of someone who has an event or a display, but crowds and traffic could build, and when that occurs the city is unequipped to deal with it, creating a public safety issue,” Willis said.
However, Councilman Adam Bazaldua questioned whether it was fair to hold homeowners responsible for people stopping to view decorations.
“What would bind a homeowner to adhere to any of those if they just want to put lights on their house?” Bazaldua said. “How is it their burden that people are stopping to look at them?”
A homeowner who spoke after the vote argued that if the homeowner is not responsible, the burden falls on nearby residents affected by the influx of visitors.
The committee vote was split, but with four members opposing the measure, the proposal will not advance to the full Dallas City Council. Willis, Chad West, and Paul Ridley voted in favor of the ordinance.
