Rice Architecture Students Win
Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition
|
|
The Planning and Development Department’s recent Accessory Dwelling Unit Design (ADU) Competition received enthusiastic response from architects and design professionals. PD announced the winning team earlier this month. Congratulations to the Rice Architecture team.
“Double House,” submitted by two Rice Architecture students - Adam Berman and Siobhan Finlay - was the top design selected in a public online vote of about 400 online voters in early October.
Funded by a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant, the design competition will ultimately provide a set of plans that homeowners can use to build an ADU on a single-family residential lot where deed restrictions allow. The plans will go through preliminary plan review and will comply with the City’s current building code and development standards.
“Congratulations to Adam and Siobhan on winning the public vote, but more importantly, thank you for creating a design that can have a lasting impact on housing options in our city,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.
|
|
The team will be awarded $3,000, provided by the AARP grant, to produce construction documents. “Double House” schematic designs will be prominently featured and fully credited in a digital ADU design book. The book, available online by the end of the year, will also include all other qualified contest submissions.
“In a mere 530 square feet, the winning team created a striking and flexible space that would fit beautifully in a backyard and within the character of a neighborhood,” said Planning Department Director Margaret Wallace Brown. “Adam and Siobhan went above and beyond, giving a detailed view of just how functional and elegant an ADU can be. When the City shares these plans with the public, their design will help eliminate the guesswork for homeowners who choose to build their own ADU.”
|
|
|
Downtown Transit Lanes Set For Fresh New Look |
|
A faster, more reliable commute is coming to downtown Houston. The City of Houston and METRO are partnering to bring a fresh new look to existing transit-only lanes in the city's central business district.
New markings, striping and signage will update dedicated bus and carpool lanes along Milam and Travis. The overlay will be applied to existing diamond lanes on both streets to distinguish them from regular traffic lanes and clarify they are reserved for bus and carpool use only. This will promote safety by creating greater visibility and education for all motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. According to the Federal Transit Administration, Red Lanes increase safety and improve traffic flow.
The project is divided into three phases. Four blocks of the existing diamond lane on Travis, between Pierce and Leeland, will be treated with the red markings and signage during the first phase. Phase two will cover the remaining 14 blocks to Congress. The last stage will apply similar treatment to the entire stretch of Milam between Pierce and Congress. Completion of the project is expected in the spring of 2022. Read more on METRO's website.
|
|
PD Hosts Preservation Conversation in Freedmen's Town |
|
The Houston Office of Preservation will host a Freedmen's Town public meeting at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at 1475 W. Gray St. You may also choose to attend virtually or listen over the phone.
Discussion topics will include:
- Historic Preservation in Freedmen's Town
- National Register District
- Local Historic Districts
- Landmarks and Protected Landmarks
- The Preservation Incentive Plan
|
|
Attend In Person:
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center,
1475 W. Gray St.
Phone Conference ID: 344 029 507# *6 to mute
|
|
|
Livable Places Reschedules Meeting to December 14 |
|
The Livable Places Action Committee virtual meeting originally scheduled for December 21 has been moved to December 14 at 3 p.m. Discussions will focus on single-family lot standards like lot size, lot width and lot access to encourage a variety of smaller single-family housing options.
More ways to learn about Livable Places:
|
|
-
Online Meeting via Web Browser: https://bit.ly/3bJO3cW
- Call-In Option: +1 936-755-1521 Conference ID: 331 340 145#
|
|
|
Honoring Planning Department Veterans |
|
On Veterans Day, the Planning and Development Department recognized staff members who have served and who continue to serve in the United States military branches. They shared a little about what their service meant to them, and how it has influenced their lives and careers: |
|
Captain Brian Smith II, who currently serves in the Texas Army National Guard. Brian is also a Transportation Planner, and oversees the Houston Bikeways and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. "The greatest thing about serving in the military is you’re placed in this random assortment of people with different backgrounds and beliefs and you all have to put your differences aside and unite towards a common objective. You trust your wellbeing in the hands of a stranger and become family in the process. You can’t buy that experience elsewhere."
|
|
Donella Gomillion, a Financial Analyst III in our Finance Division, kick-started her education and career in the United States Navy. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in public service as a civilian.
"I joined the Navy right after graduating high school and served two amazing tours of duty. I had been promoted to Information Technician Second Class (IT2) by the time of my honorable discharge. My service in the Navy laid the foundation for my work ethic, commitment to duty, discipline, adaptability, loyalty, and aspiration for continued public service. It was the single best decision an 18-year-old, at that time, could make to ensure a secure future. As a civilian, I wanted to remain in service to the public because of my time in the military. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Hooyah!"
|
|
Eriq Glenn, a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Eriq is a Planner I in the Community and Regional Planning Division. He works on various projects including community engagement and implementing projects in the Near Northside Houston Complete Communities Action Plan. "Serving in the Army has been a family tradition for the past four generations. I view my Military service as an honor and privilege. Being in the Army has influenced my life in positive ways and allowed me to live out important values such as Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity & Personal Courage."
|
|
Nicholas Batiste joined the Planning Department as a Senior GIS Analyst earlier this year. He brings varied experience to the job including 8 years in the Army and a previous career as a police officer. "I had the privilege to honorably serve in the U.S. Army for a total of 8 years reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. This experience has afforded me the opportunity to understand the Army Values (L.D.R.S.H.I.P) Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. I served stateside and overseas, participating in various historical operations. These experiences gave me the ability to truly learn and appreciate being a part of something greater than myself and the peacekeeping of our beautiful country."
|
|
|
|
611 Walker Street, 6th Floor,
Houston, TX 77002
832-393-6600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
