SilverJK

I'd consider it a legitimate concern in the Heights, where the vocal minority gets their way.

yeah, that location will be fun to drive to around 5-6pm.

Clutterbuck seems to actually have listened to the homeowners. I wonder if they will accept her ammendment proposition.

My major concern is the need for only 10% to apply for historic district status. Was this issue touched any? From what I understand, once your neighborhood is under review for historic district status, you are "temporarily" forced under the rules immediately. This could essentially strong-arm any section of the heights to be under the rules for ~6 months of EVERY year.

Removed my post because it isn't relevant to the topic. I will say that this attitude is not very neighborly, and seems generally offputting as well as not in line with what the neighborhood is about. The neighborhood has an accepting feel to me, and the random modern or weird homes just add to the flavor. To keep the "integrity" of the neighborhood, you kill its personality.

what the ordinance is supposed to do = what YOU want the ordinancne to do. Putting what you want infront of others... not very neighborly. I still want to hear the explanation on how the house on watson that just added a second story to their house can support the ordinance. I also saw what looked like a 40s/50s brick home with the sign as well.

i didn't buy in Norhill because of the restrictions... this was just one year ago. Also to the statement of "those buying in the historic districts are in for the long haul". What is your point? Your intention of staying in a location for a longer duration shouldn't give you any more rights than someone who plans to live there for just a few years. I guess your more important than them?

I love how the historic district supporters constantly bring up the oppositions "misinformation tactics". If you want to prevent this tactic, make the ordinance clear. I also have a nominee for self serving person of the year... there is a house on watson that is proudly touting their "say yes to the non voting ordinance change" sign in their yard. This house just recently went under renovations and added a second story (non camel back). Really. I mean Really. Where can i get one of those "say yes to preservation, say no to historic district" signs? I'd like to proudly tout that infront of my original 25' bungalow. I am one of lucky few that is in woodland heights, but outside of the woodland heights historic district (which i believe is still pending). Hopefully when they try to take over our streets we'll be able to vote it down. My wife and I plan to do renovations to our house, but to appease the HAHC i'm sure the difference in cost could possibly prevent us from doing them (if extended to our street). These would be tasteful modifications, that would in no way change the character of my block. I'd like to add a second story to back half of my house (both houses on either side of me are original two stories). This couldn't be done if governed by the HAHC rules, so i'd have to add a disgusting camelback addition and take up the rest of my yard. My yard is on the large side for the heights (6,350sq. ft) but this would leave no grass. That would be REALLY historic. Nobody ever spent time in their yards playing with their families in the 20s...

imposing personal beliefs on others property rights and saying it is because you "care", classic. Would it be okay if Walmart built just off the back of the current buildings on the property, so it still looks like a rundown vacant lot from the road? You yuppies disgust me (as I ride my vespa to the farmers market.... doh!)

I'm not a realtor/builder, i'm just a half of a young DINK family living in a 1925 bungalow because I love old houses. I am completely against the ordinance. Go to the suburbs if you want everyones house to look the same. The nonconformity and eclecticism of the heights is what makes the neighborhood so great. How do these new rules impact small businesses that are within the historic district?

Let me say this again... what are you saying yes to? You are just putting in in everyones face that you support the strong-arming of people's property rights. What if they decide you can't put politically motivated posters in your yard... you couldn't put your sign up support non-voting issues in the future!

why do people have "Say Yes" signs in their yard, weren't we all under the impression there wasn't going to be a vote??? Say yes to what? Elitism?

Ok so I bought my house almost a year ago, on the edge of Woodland Heights. We aren't currently in the limits of the "historic district" but they will probably deem my block as part of it soon enough (Pecore). One of the main reasons we invested in this 'hood was because of the eccleticism and randomness of it. I guess Mayor Parker disagrees. If someone puts together some good signs, I would love to post one in my front yard. (Pecore is pretty high traffic) Also, if this rediculousness gets passed, maybe all non supporters should paint a purple/limegreen/orange stripe on our houses the day before it goes into effect. (or some other similar slap in the face). This power grab literally makes me sick. Get off my lawn!

I don't think Watson is a good comparison... its not really a usable cut-through street as it has speed bumps, stop signs, and that weird side step at Pecore. It is faster to take White Oak over to Studewood or if your going to north of the loop, white oak over to Yale. (this is of course assuming you want to avoid interstates).

I hear they have picket board signs on sale at walmart.... just sayin'.

I'm sure a walmart would be quite succesful in this location, and I would probably even venture in there from time to time but I must say that I absolutely hate Walmart. I have friends that work at walmarts (limited to 30 hours a week and get screwed), others that are shift managers and are making a very decent living (especially for high school education) and others that work for the corporate headquarters in Bentonville who get paid very well. I could argue there methods of compensation both ways. I find Walmart to be an Evil company, because of their mind games they play on you. Why do they have like 80 registers? Is it just me? I've never seen a walmart with much more than half of their registers open even on Black Friday. If your never going to have more than 40 registers... just build 40. They also are really slow to pick up their baskets. I've had a few dings/scratches in my cars from sailing buggies at Walmart on windy days. This is mostly the customer's fault for being lazy, but they could still make the effort. So yeah, I don't really care if it opens or not. I'd prefer other businesses but it's not my money. I'm not going to try to tell someone what to do with their property...

I have a question maybe some of you would be able to answer. I live on the Southern side of Pecore, and according to the maps, I'm technically in Woodland Heights. Now the map for the historic designation on the whca website does not include my street. I'm wondering if once they get the "50% signatures" of the area they are targeting to receive the designation, if it will extend to my house as well? I see myself as a prime candidate to get totally screwed over by this rule as I plan to remodel my home in the future. Thoughts?

i have friends moving in there next month, i'll be sure to check it out and report back.

bringing this thread back up... Scaffolding and other equipment around the building. It looks like they have started renovations. Anyone know whats going to end up in the building? There seems to be lots of activity on white oak right now.

"caring" for schizos is a waste of time? That is the most rediculous thing i've ever read. ever.

I'd say any day you live through, is better than the alternative.

Omar2bar, That is very good news. I think with some repitition/familiarity and experimentation the flavor of their food is going to get better (and it wasn't bad by any means). They should also carry Abita Rootbeer for the kids. (or adults who love a good root beer). I might have to go for a muffaletta and a turbo dog this weekend though. I'd like to see the addition of crawfish tails and boudian poboys and perhaps some andouille sidedish. (maybe once they get into full swing this will happen) I'd also like to see beignets more frequently (its currently only from like 9-11am on first saturdays) with some true New Orleans style coffee (with chicory). Late night beignets and coffee are the best after a night out on the town.

I went to Big Mamou the other day as well, it was okay. I had the half grilled shrimp po-boy and cup of gumbo. Poboy was decent, gumbo had good flavor but was more like a jambalaya as it wasn't really a soup (more thick than gumbo should be). We also had the fried green tomatoes... not bad. Wife had the oyster poboy and it was good. Service was excellent. Everyone was extremely friendly. That being said, there isn't room in this town for mediocre food, they need to step it up a bit. Also... tried Vietnam yesterday and it was pretty good. We had some Tres Leches from El Bolillo at work the other day... it was excellent. I will be going there this weekend to try other items.

Party in the plaza... If you want to party in the plaza, mark March 21st on your calendar. There is going to be a Brazilian festival in the plaza that day. link for more info www.houstonbrazilianfest.org

Ive worked downtown for a bit over two years now, and i love the tunnels. I'm baffled how anyone could not like them, in the summer i can take a quick hike to the Park shops to grab some dumplings at Doozo and i'm not a sweaty mess nor have i been struck by a car when i get back... awesome. I don't think the retail in the tunnels really takes away from the street level either, because there would just be more stuff closed on the street level at night. I want stuff on the street level that will be open late.