Monthly Planner
Newsletter | March 2020
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Please monitor Houston Health Department announcements on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at   https://houstonemergency.org/covid19/ or call 832-393-4220 to speak with Health Department staff.
2020 Census Survey
Coming Soon

Did you know that the census is key for the future of your community? Your invitation to participate in the 2020 Census is arriving soon, and your response is vitally important!

March 12-20: Initial census invitations to respond online, by phone, or mail will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.

March 16-24: Reminder letters

March 26-April 3: Reminder postcards

Your response to the census invitation will impact us and our communities for the next decade. As soon as your invitation arrives, please respond right away to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. Information is available in English and 12 additional languages. Read more about census invitations .
A Bright Spot in My Day


From the Planning Director: Houston now has a Resilience Strategy

Resilient Houston provides a framework to help the city mitigate flooding risks and improve climate readiness.

The strategy links existing efforts with new ones that will work collectively to protect Houston against future disasters—from hurricanes and flooding to extreme heat waves—and chronic stresses such as aging infrastructure, poor air quality, and climate change.

The strategy frames five key visions for Houston’s future along with 18 goals and 62 actions. Read more about Resilient Houston .
 Houston Bikeways:
500 Miles by 2025

Resilient Houston Plan calls for 500 miles of new bikeways by 2025!

The Bicycle Advisory Committee is
gearing up for Bike Month in May, including a Bicycle Summit! Read more bikeways news.
Map of the Month:
Market Square TIRZ

C urious about Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones and how they benefit an area? These special zones help finance costs of re-development and promote growth in areas that would otherwise not attract sufficient market develop-ment in a timely manner. The Market Square TIRZ is the featured GIS map this month.  View map here .
Charette Training for
Civic Engagement

In January, 32 of our Planners were trained and certified by the National Charrette Institute (NCI). This training helps facilitate public involvement in planning.

NCI is dedicated to transforming the way people work together by building capacity for collaboration. Read more about charettes .
Staff Spotlight: Preservation Officer

Houston has a new Historic Preservation Officer, Roman McAllen! As the city's Historic Preservation Officer, Roman works with the historic preservation team to preserve Houston's historic structures, neighborhoods and archeological sites.

Also, as the newly elected President of the Texas Preservation Board, Roman will oversee annual programs such as Preservation Day, Preservation Summit, and Most Endangered Places Program. Read more about our historic preservation spotlight .
Walkable Places Pilot Area Plans

The Planning Commission held public hearings on the proposed Walkable Places and Transit Corridor Development Ordinances and Walkable Places Pilot Area Plans on February 20 and March 5. Planning Commission is expected to consider these ordinances and plans in April. You can view these proposed ordinance amendments and plans on the Walkable Places webpage.
I-45 NHHIP: Synthesizing Input

The Planning Department continues to assist the community in understanding TxDOT's North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) for I-45. Using comments collected through last fall, the Department has developed alternative designs to improve and change TxDOT’s project. These alternatives were presented for feedback at three community workshops and through an online survey. The Department is now synthesizing this feedback as Mayor Sylvester Turner prepares to make recommendations to TxDOT. Read more about NHHIP.
New Recordation Scheduling App

Developing property for building involves platting land, the final step is to record the approved map. Please use the new TimeTap App to schedule recordation appointments with our Development Services team. Read more about recordation scheduling here.
Development Reports


Stay up to date on Houston platting and permitting activity with the Plat and Permit Reports. View reports here. Sign up for reports and publications.
Department Calendar


3/05 Planning Commission
3/19 Planning Commission
3/28 Historic Commission


611 Walker Street, 6th Floor 
Houston, TX 77002 
832-393-6600
www.houstonplanning.com