A Bright Spot In My Day: From the Planning Director |
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I cannot overstate how strongly I believe in the importance of knowing one’s mission. Especially in public service, when precious resources need to be guarded and spent with care. In my business, rabbit trails are frequent distractions that can pull us from our core mission. With this in mind, the Planning team put their heads together to identify the Planning and Development Department Mission: To grow and preserve Houston’s diverse communities to create a resilient city.
In Planning, we manage a portfolio of work that is varied and critical. It matters to Houstonians today – but more importantly, it matters to Houstonians in the future. The charge is to ensure that our City will continue to improve to the benefit of you, your children and their children. Our team takes this responsibility seriously.
From our development code to our community engagement, our data analysis and mapping to historic preservation and transportation planning, our Mission is always top of mind.
Margaret Wallace Brown, A.I.C.P.
Director, Planning and Development Department
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Mayor Turner Announces Freedmen's Town as City's First Heritage District |
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Just in time for Juneteenth, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council voted to pass the Heritage District ordinance and named Freedmen’s Town as Houston’s first heritage district.
Freedmen’s Town was selected as the inaugural heritage district due to its rich history and the initiative and support shown by the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy. As the name implies, Freedmen’s Town, often referred to as the “Harlem of the South,” was established in 1865 by newly emancipated African Americans who purchased land and created a vibrant community in Houston’s Fourth Ward.
Heritage districts are intended to foster civic and cultural pride by protecting character-defining elements within neighborhoods, highlighting the significant achievements and contributions of the community and promoting neighborhood stability.
Organizations that are approved for a heritage district will be permitted to protect, restore or install
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significant elements within the district such as brick
paved streets, curbs, driveways, sidewalks and walkways, signage and markers, public art, vegetation, and trees in the city's public right-of-way. The designation does not provide city funding and does not apply to private property.
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Livable Places: Increasing Urban Density with Accessory Dwelling Units |
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The discussion returned to requirements for accessory dwelling units or (ADU’s) in other cities, for which best practices will help the Committee propose amendments to the current regulations.
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In the mean time, we need your input. Please take this survey before July 31 on how many units should be allowed on a lot and what should be the parking requirements for these units.
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Humans of Houston Campaign Humanizes Affects of Traffic Tragedies |
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In June, Vision Zero partners in Planning and Development and Houston Public Works launched Humans of Houston, a strategic communications campaign that humanizes the losses and impacts of traffic deaths and serious accidents through a series of personal testimonials.
Participating Houstonians shared how traffic violence has affected their lives. The campaign aims to overturn the mindset that Houston is a car-centric city; demonstrate that Houstonians use all modes of transportation; eliminate speeding and other dangerous driving behaviors and achieve safe and accessible streets for everyone.
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Third Ward Can Boast New Polk Street Bike Lane |
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The Polk Street bike lane is complete and ready to roll. The new bicycle facility replaced existing low-comfort bike lanes with a high-comfort bikeway and included repairs to sidewalks and curb ramps from Emancipation Ave. to Cullen Blvd.
Low-comfort lanes are separated from vehicles with just a white stripe and are often narrow. High-comfort lanes are wider and are often protected with a barrier to prevent cars from driving in them.
The Polk Street lane also features floating bus stops, which are dedicated platforms for passengers entering and exiting buses while the bike lane runs behind. The project is part of the Third Ward Bikeway Network and funded by Harris County Precinct One.
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Recordation Appointments Resume in Person |
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Planning and Development staff returned to the office June 1, so we have resumed conducting all recordation appointments in person. PD no longer accepts mylar drop-offs in lieu of a recordation appointment. Recordation applicants must be present to answer questions and have the authority to make minor corrections on the mylar when warranted.
To address the long wait for recordation appointments, the new cancellation deadline is 48 hours before the scheduled appointment. Any cancellations with less than 48 notice will be charged a cancellation fee. Staff is providing recordation appointments at full capacity, and extended wait times are due to high demand for appointments.
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We ask that cancellations are made in a timely manner and we ask applicants to refrain from blocking off appointment times until an approved plat is ready to move forward. Applicants can schedule an appointment for plat recordation on the TimeTap System. For more information, see our recordation web page or call the Development Services Planner of the Day at 832-393-6624.
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Census Campaign Earns Nationwide Recognition. |
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The ubiquitous sunshine yellow #YestoCensus2020 campaign shirts, yard signs, murals, parades, social media helped us reach residents in every community with the critical message: Every Houstonian Counts. The campaign recently earned national recognition from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the American Advertising Awards.
The campaign, created by Lopez Negrete Communications, earned the Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, the Silver Anvil Audience Choice Award, and the Bronze Anvil Award for Creative Tactic Category. This campaign also placed Bronze for the American Advertising Awards in the Integrated Consumer Campaign.
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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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