Learning from New York

[WAZ]

History repeats itself.

New York City passed its first zoning ordinance in 1916, after a 20 year debate. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the Equitable Building in lower Manhattan. A 38 story hulk of a building, with 1.2 million square feet on less than an acre of land – the Equitable Building was a lightning rod for criticism. It was a symbol of greedy development: towering over its neighbors; blocking views; casting shadows; turning streets into dark mazes; lowering property values.

If all of this sounds familiar, it should. Houston has debated zoning since the early 1990s. Our debate began almost exactly a century after the start of New York’s. The Ashby High Rise is garnering much of the same criticism as the Equitable Building. If we aren’t careful, it just might tip the scales to bring zoning to Houston.

Since 1916, New York City’s zoning ordinance has grown into a beast. At 3,000 pages, it’s larger than the International Building Code.[ii] It’s hard to see any benefits in an ordinance that big. You can’t really argue that zoning by itself made New York great. Much of New York was developed before zoning started in 1916; and the City is surrounded by water and old growth suburbs. And New York’s zoning ordinance doesn’t always prevent fights over development. October 19 saw another lawsuit over the Brooklyn Atlantic Yards Development.

We have the opportunity in Houston to write innovative laws that help maintain the character of neighborhoods, without being a burden to architects and developers. The Ashby High Rise is Houston’s Equitable Building, but that doesn’t mean we should have the same response.

<br clear="all"> Willis, Carol, Form Follows Finance: Skyscrapers and Skylines in New York and Chicago, Princeton Architectural Press, 1995. Pp. 67-69

[ii] New York City Zoning Ordinance – Zoning Text: http://www.nyc.gov/h.../zonetext.shtml

[LTAWACS]

I think the building should go up. The mayor getting involved smells of bribery, lies, and corruption.

[musicman]

If all of this sounds familiar, it should. Houston has debated zoning since the early 1990s.

houston has debated zoning since the 20's if not before. the 90's was the 4th attempt to get it passed.

We have the opportunity in Houston to write innovative laws that help maintain the character of neighborhoods, without being a burden to architects and developers.

the problem with the attempt in the 90's was that the ordinance tried to do more than maintain the character of neighborhoods, it gave developers an advantage. the planning dept hired donna kristaponis to lead the effort who was from denver and wasn't interested in maintaining the character of neighborhoods. her requirements for buffer zones, etc were just not realistic and placed burdens on property owners.

[WAZ]

houston has debated zoning since the 20's if not before. the 90's was the 4th attempt to get it passed.

the problem with the attempt in the 90's was that the ordinance tried to do more than maintain the character of neighborhoods, it gave developers an advantage. the planning dept hired donna kristaponis to lead the effort who was from denver and wasn't interested in maintaining the character of neighborhoods. her requirements for buffer zones, etc were just not realistic and placed burdens on property owners.

Thanks for the clarification, and I apologize for my error. This article (http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/houston-says-no-to-zoning/) says the 1993 attempt was the third. The first was 1948, and then 1962. Any specifics on the 1920s debate?

[musicman]

Thanks for the clarification, and I apologize for my error. This article (http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/houston-says-no-to-zoning/) says the 1993 attempt was the third. The first was 1948, and then 1962. Any specifics on the 1920s debate?

no apology necessary. here's a brief timeline. it actually looks like a development plan was in the works in 1913, prior to the actual first vote.

! 1901: Spindletop starts the oil boom.

! 1913: Boston consultant produces Houston Tentative Plans for its

development.

! 1914: Houston Ship Channel Opens.

! 1927-1929: Texas adopts subdivision legislation; Houston Planning

Commission formed; First zoning ordinance fails.

! 1937: Planning Commission reborn as deed restrictions in Montrose

neighborhood expire.

! 1939: Houston Port is the third largest after only 26 year operation.

! 1943: Texas Medical Center is established.

! 1948: Second zoning ordinance fails.

! 1960: Arrival of major league sports and NASA.

! 1962: Third zoning ordinance attempt fails.

! 1982: City adopts subdivision ordinance.

! 1993: Fourth zoning attempt fails.

! 1998: Subdivision ordinance revised (first time since 1982).