Bright Spot in My Day: From the Planning Director |
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Working in the Planning & Development Department for over 30 years, I cannot imagine a career in which I could have made such a positive impact on my home. I have built a career on integrity and hard work – two character traits that we instill in our employees. Together, we experience highs and lows, advancements and setbacks, and we don’t always get fanfare from the public. But on the occasions where that spotlight shines on your work, you know that your accomplishments were not earned alone.
This month, Houston Business Journal named me among the 2023 honorees for the
Women Who Mean Business Awards. While I am humbled by the award, I do not hesitate to deflect the credit to my team. We earned this together because the Planning team means business every day. It has been my honor and pleasure to lead this group of public servants for the past several years. This is an exceptional group of professionals who put customer service in the heart of every day.
Margaret Wallace Brown, A.I.C.P.
Director, Planning & Development Department
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Vision Zero 2022 Annual Report Shows Decrease in
Total Crash Fatalities
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Mayor Sylvester Turner announced earlier this month that crashes, fatalities and serious injuries decreased on Houston streets in 2022 for the first time since the Vision Zero Houston Plan was released in 2020, according to the
The report shows there were 8 fewer deaths and 28 fewer serious injuries in 2022 than 2021. So far in 2023, the downward trend in overall traffic fatalities across all modes of transportation is holding steady, with 36 fewer deaths in the first half of 2023 than in the first half of 2022. While fatalities and serious injuries involving pedalcyclists decreased in 2022, they are rising again in the first half of 2023.
In addition to the Vision Zero Annual Report, the Planning and Development Department also launched the Vision Zero Crash Dashboard, which provides quarterly safety data and pinpoints crashes that resulted in serious injuries and traffic deaths in an easy-to-use format with data sortable by many categories. Read the full press release.
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City Approves 15 New Historic Landmark Designations |
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City Council approved the designation of 15 historic properties including 11 Protected Landmarks, three Landmarks and one Protected Archeological Site. The properties span four Council Districts across the city.
Protected Landmarks (PLM) and Landmarks (LM) are historic properties that have been officially recognized by the City of Houston for their outstanding historical, cultural, or architectural significance. These designations are initiated by the property owner through an application process.
A landmark designation protects resources in the following ways: any building design, alterations, additions, and maintenance to the building, structure, or site must follow the City of Houston Historic Preservation Ordinance. The designation does not provide significant protection from demolition or an inappropriate alteration.
A Protected Landmark designation provides significant protection against demolition in perpetuity and are eligible to be nominated as Significant Buildings.
Read the full press release for photos and details of all newly designated landmarks. Not all landmark photos are shown above.
3615 N. Braeswood Blvd. (PLM)
428 Hawthorne St. (PLM)
5330 Mandell St. (PLM)
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426 Westmoreland St. (PLM)
2506 Rosedale St. (PLM)
15 Altic St. (LM)
215 E. 30th St. (LM)
"The designation of each one of these properties is a cause for celebration. It signals that these property owners understand and value our history, and they have taken action to ensure that these buildings will remain part of Houston’s historical fabric,” said Historic Preservation Officer Roman McAllen.
“Designating your property as a protected landmark is one way for property owners to leave their mark on our City. If you own a historic property, please reach out to our Preservation staff who can walk you through the eligibility requirements, potential tax incentives and application process," McAllen said.
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Mary Fontenot Earns Mayor's Historic Preservation Award |
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Mayor Sylvester Turner presented his annual Historic Preservation Award to Mary Fontenot for her dedication and commitment to preserving the historic and cultural legacy of the Pleasantville community. Mary has played pivotal roles in the Pleasantville Civic League and Pleasantville Historical Society. She has also been a champion for securing fair funding, enhanced standards and historic review for rebuilding storm-damaged historic homes, and much more. We thank and congratulate Mary for her tireless service. Read the full award proclamation. |
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Public Engagement: Willowbend Connectivity Study |
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Public engagement for the Willowbend Connectivity Study continued this month with a stakeholder feedback event on August 16. The project addresses gaps in connectivity that limit access to key services and destinations along Willowbend Boulevard between Hillcroft Avenue and South Post Oak Boulevard. The study is sponsored by Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, City Council District K, and is being led by the Transportation Division. Throughout the public engagement process, residents identified concerns including areas where drivers are known to speed, intersections where traffic backs up, and areas that are difficult to navigate for pedestrians and cyclists. Findings from a walk-though exercise were presented to residents at the public meeting. The proposed recommendations will be implemented in phases based on available funding. |
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Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum and Chief Transportation Planner David Fields attended an August 16 stakeholder feedback event for improvements along Willowbend Blvd. Photo courtesy of City Council District K.
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Planning Pros: Register for the PSEFI Platting Workshop |
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The Professional Surveyors Education Foundation, Inc (PSEFI) will present the 2023 City of Houston Platting Workshop from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday October, 26 at the United Way of Greater Houston Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Dr. Course instructors will feature staff from the Planning & Development Department Development Services Division. Topics will include: platting basics, research tools, shared driveway detention, and Livable Places Chapter 42 Changes.
The Workshop is open to all interested land planning and development professionals. Proceeds benefit educational programs at the University of Houston. See registration details and the mail-in form at https://www.letstalkhouston.org/psefi-2023.
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611 Walker Street, 6th Floor,
Houston, TX 77002
832-393-6600
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