GIS Team Develops Life-Saving Lake Houston Zone Map
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With warm weekends and summer holidays quickly approaching, the waters of Lake Houston are beckoning Houstonians to enjoy a day on the lake. Tragically, Memorial Day Weekend consistently ranks among the most deadly holidays for boating safety incidents across the state. A new map developed by the Planning and Development Department Geographic Information Systems team could mean the difference between life and death for Lake Houston users.
The GIS team worked with District E Council Member Dave Martin, multiple city departments and safety agencies to create color-coded, zoned maps of Lake Houston. By knowing your zone, residents and recreational lake users can accurately report the location of boating safety incidents. The colored zones also help reduce response time by dispatching first responders to the boat ramp nearest to the incident. This map will be posted at all public docks/piers and offered to private communities for installation within their own private launch areas. Read more
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Click the map for a full detailed view. |
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Hillcroft Improvement Project Prioritizes Safety, Access in Street Design |
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Construction is underway for the new Vision Zero-aligned street safety improvement project for Hillcroft Avenue. The plans include wider sidewalks, adding shared-use bikeways and installing new traffic signals for safer pedestrian access. There will be improved access to METRO bus stops and a hike and bike trail on Westward St. Once completed, the community will notice new color-coded crosswalks, curb ramps and sidewalks, so intersections are safer and more functional for everyone.
"This Vision Zero-aligned project will improve road safety by prioritizing the lives of people who live, work, and travel through Gulfton every day. This is important all throughout our city, but especially important in Gulfton where 40% of residents walk, bike and ride transit," said Chief Transportation Planner David Fields.
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"This project recognizes the needs of the local community and makes a reality recommendations from Gulfton’s Complete Communities Action Plan: it prioritizes safety and access in street design for people of all ages and abilities," Fields said.
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Livable Places Explores Proposed Conservation Districts |
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On April 20, the Livable Places Action Committee proposed changes to the city's Code of Ordinances to address the effects of abutting high-density developments on existing single-family residential homes. Review the proposed changes. The Committee also proposed a Conservation Districts framework that offers a more flexible way to help protect existing neighborhood character. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, May 18 at 3 p.m. Discussions will focus on expanding the definition of single-family lots and accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats or garage apartments.
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View May 18 meeting details at
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Bike to Wherever on May 21 |
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Save the date: Bike to Wherever Day is Friday, May 21. As many Houstonians continue to work from home and alternate workspaces during the pandemic, we are celebrating Bike to Wherever Day instead of the traditional Bike to Work event. On Bike to Wherever Day, we encourage Houstonians to try biking wherever their day takes them. Share your #BTWD2021 photos and tag us on Twitter @HoustonBikePlan and check out the Houston Bike Plan website for discounts and bike safety tips.
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Preservation Staff Offers Application Pre-Design Review Options |
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The Houston Office of Preservation is making it even easier for historic preservationists and property owners to learn about contributing to Houston's unique cultural history and protecting their historically significant property.
The newly available Application Pre-Design Review meeting option is proving to be a popular service with Historic Certificate of Appropriateness applicants. In its first month of availability, the team met with 14 property representatives about their proposed projects, offering explanations of the Chapter 33 regulations and guidelines related to their properties.
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“We have an excellent staff trained and educated in architecture, design, history and historic preservation," Historic Preservation Officer Roman McAllen said. "We are excited to share our knowledge and assist residents in decisions about their historic properties." |
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Coming Your Way: Three New Houston BCycle Stations |
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May is bike month and what better way to celebrate than to hop on a BCycle bike! Houston BCycle has quadrupled in size and popularity over the last four years to 125 bike stations and more than 1,000 bikes throughout central Houston, university campuses, and the Texas Medical Center.
Recent bike station installations and three upcoming installs are prime examples of how the stations enhance the utility of the City’s broader bike share network. The installations also advance the Houston Bike Plan goals to make Houston a safer, more accessible, gold-level, bike-friendly city.
These bike stations are strategically located to serve as an additional mobility option for frequent trips between city buildings; recreational and mobility use along Brays Bayou Greenway Trail and city parks; and accessibility to METRORail line and bus stops, new housing, schools and nearby destinations.
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New and Upcoming Stations:
S. Braeswood & Linkmeadow METRO Bus
Quitman Near Northside METRORail
N. Braeswood & Kirby METRO Bus
Mason Park
Levy Park
Bob Lanier Public Works Building COMING SOON
Houston Permitting Center COMING SOON
The Exchange at Hardy Yards COMING SOON
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Department Calendar and Information
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611 Walker Street, 6th Floor,
Houston, TX 77002
832-393-6600
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