Help Small FarmHer Defend Land and Legacy from City Hall

I’m Marie Tedei, a longtime resident, farmer, and community advocate in Balch Springs, Texas. For over 20 years, I’ve cared for the land at 4708 Pioneer Road— I've cultivated about 3 acres of it since 2008 - and hoped to preserve and pass it all on through a community-driven development called Pioneer Grove . But a recent, questionable and unfair zoning denial by our city council has put everything in jeopardy. I need an attorney. That’s a lotta carrots.

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Despite unanimous support from the Planning & Zoning Commission, city staff recommendation for approval, and significant community support by members of the public, both local and potential residents and businesses, my rezoning request for a modest, sustainable, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood was denied by the Balch Springs City Council on May 12, 2025. The denial came under deeply troubling circumstances:

• I received no formal notice that the item was returning to the council agenda, despite prior assurance it would not be heard again until I was ready.

• Other similar zoning applications in the area were approved without issue, raising serious concerns about inconsistent and discriminatory treatment.

• A formal ethics complaint has since been filed by a citizen against several council members and the city manager related to this case.

With time running out to protect my legal rights, I filed a placeholder lawsuit in Dallas County District Court. I’m currently seeking a land use, civil rights, or municipal law attorney in DFW who can help me expand the case and stand up for what’s right.

This fight is not just about fair and equitable zoning. It’s about saving a unique piece of local history and protecting a small, community-oriented farm that’s fed countless families and individuals over the years—through our CSA program, local food bank donations, and a once-thriving farmers market. It’s about preserving native prairie, centuries-old trees and a 100-year-old farmhouse and nearly as old barns, instead of letting developers pave over everything for another big-box store or warehouse complex. It's about a small farmer finding a way to retire with integrity and not selling out.

Pioneer Grove would offer:

• Quality starter homes for first-time buyers, downsizing singles and seniors

• A walkable, green-minded, mixed-use community with opportunities for small businesses and artisan vendors

• Preserved open space with sustainable farmland & trails

• Opportunities for jobs, education, and community-building events

This isn’t just my vision—it’s one that neighbors, supporters, and local advocates have stood behind. I've worked for years with professionals to create this plan and bring it to the City. But without the funds to retain experienced legal representation, now I may be forced to abandon the project and sell to a commercial developer to secure my retirement.

Please consider donating to help me:

• Secure a qualified attorney to fight this injustice

• Defend my rights as a landowner and community builder

• Protect this farmland from short-sighted development & turn it over to future generations

Every dollar brings us closer to justice—and to a more hopeful future for Pioneer Grove and the community of Balch Springs, both present and future. Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and supporting this cause.

With gratitude,

Marie Tedei

Balch Springs, Texas

To learn more about the backstory, including links to video and documentation, visit my blog entry ;