May is National Bike Month, so help us celebrate the joys and benefits of two-wheeled transportation at our annual Bike to Work Day ride downtown on Friday, May 19. We will meet at 7:15 a.m. at EaDo Bike Company, 912 St. Charles St., and ride to City Hall. The specific route is posted on the Bike to Work Day 2023 website.
If you can't join us, we challenge you to ride your bicycle to work (or anywhere) during Bike Month. Take a picture and tag the Houston Bikeways social media with the hashtag #BTWD2023. The specific route is posted on our
To help make your ride safe and enjoyable, we’ve listed some bike trivia and safety tips. Be sure to follow us and join the conversation:
|
|
City Council Approves Process To Create
Conservation Districts in Six Pilot Neighborhoods
|
|
City Council voted April 5 to approve an amendment to Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances that will enable the process of creating Conservation Districts in six pilot Houston neighborhoods:
- Independence Heights,
- Freedmen’s Town
- Acres Home
- Magnolia Park/Manchester
- Pleasantville
- Piney Point (located in District F.)
The Conservation District designation will allow property owners in these select neighborhoods to identify the important aspects of their community, to promote new compatible development, and to encourage the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and redevelopment of Houston neighborhoods. Read more about the menu of available standards that each neighborhood can consider.
The ordinance amendment does not create any Conservation Districts at this time but authorizes the Planning and Development Department to move forward in concert with these selected communities to continue public engagement, evaluate options and begin the district creation process. Click the map for a full view. Read the full press release.
|
|
USDOT Announcement Highlights Vision Zero Initiatives |
|
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the City of Houston is among more than 30 organizations that have joined the Allies in Action pledging to support the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy. These organizations are taking action to reverse the crisis that is killing more than 40,000 people on American roads each year.
-
Update the Cityside High Injury Network based on data from 2019-2022
- Create a public-facing dashboard with Vision Zero metrics, updated quarterly
- Shift citywide Traffic Impact Analysis standards from Vehicle Level of Service to Multimodal Service Standards
- Prepare a Citywide Freight Network.
|
|
-
Initiate two safety projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure laws: Telephone Road (RAISE) and Bissonnet Corridor (Safe Streets and Roads for All)
- Participate in Houston Public Library’s Summer Camp program to connect with 100 Grade 3-12 students about Vision Zero
- Collaborate with AAA Texas on hosting a Distracted Drivers Awareness event.
|
|
|
Planning Commission to Consider Livable Places
Housing Recommendations in May
|
|
During the public comment period, the Department received close to 30 public comments about the Livable Places proposed housing recommendations. On April 27, staff presented a summary of comments to the Planning Commission, which will consider the recommendations at the May meeting. If approved, staff will present to a City Council committee, and a public hearing will be held at City Council later this summer.
Earlier in the month, staff hosted a series of four public meetings to elicit feedback and answer questions about the recommendations.
|
|
These meetings complemented the ongoing Livable Places public engagement efforts including a significant presence at Earth Day HTX on April 19.
So far, our housing option survey has garnered more than 480 responses, but we want more. Think about how your housing needs could change over the next 5, 10 or 20 years? Do you picture yourself in your current type of housing? What about your family, friends and neighbors?
Complete this short survey and tell us which recommended housing option would fit your life.
|
|
|
As part of the Earth Day HTX festivities, the Planning Department displayed a tiny house, the concept of which ties into the housing options discussed by the Livable Places Action Committee. The event was a great opportunity to show the possibilities of smaller homes, share our survey and educate a new audience about Livable Places. |
|
Pilot Neighborhood Resilience Planning Engagement Concludes As Mayor Announces Three New Neighborhoods |
|
The Department completed the community engagement for the City’s first three Neighborhood Resilience Plans in East Houston, Edgebrook and Independence Heights, and the plans are in the final stages of completion. These plans are in line with Resilient Houston’s target to develop, by 2030, 50 neighborhood- scale plans integrating equity and resilience principles into Houston’s fabric. As the pilot resilience planning process comes to a close, Mayor Sylvester Turner named three new communities in which to begin neighborhood resilience work – Braeburn, Greater Fifth Ward and Greater Inwood.
Resilience community planning seeks to build the capacity of a community to prepare for, withstand, and recover from shocks and stresses. The goal of Houston’s Neighborhood Resilience Planning (NRP) is to create a community that can adapt and thrive in the face of a range of potential challenges, such as natural disasters, economic challenges, or to improve social empowerment strategies.
Visit the NRP website for details on how to join the planning processes for the three new communities or to help implement the projects and goals of the three pilot neighborhoods.
|
|
Planning Department Plays Professional Show and Tell With
ULI Urban Plan Exercise & Bring Your Child to Work Day
|
|
As part of the Earth Day HTX lineup, ULI Houston, Urban Land Institute, and the Planning Department hosted the Urban Plan interactive exercise where community leaders and City of Houston staff were challenged to use Lego blocks to build their own city. Guests were on site in the Planning Department offices to get a first-hand experience of what goes on behind the scenes in urban planning.
|
|
The City participated in Bring Your Sons & Daughters to Work Day for the first time since the pandemic. Donella Gomillion brought her 17-year-old son Mekhi to work with her in the finance division. He helped Donella conduct fixed asset inventory. Mekhi is a junior at Pearland High School.
Marbet Alonzo brought her son Stefan to learn all about records administration. Stefan, a junior at Waltrip High School, also attended the Planning Commission meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
611 Walker Street, 6th Floor,
Houston, TX 77002
832-393-6600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
