Houston City Council PASSES Chapter 42

[totheskies]

Houston is now one step closer to being a "zoned" city...

 

http://texasleftist.blogspot.com/2013/04/houston-city-council-passes-chapter-42.html

 

 

Ready or not, here we come...

After six years of vigorous debate, the Houston City Council has voted to further increase the city's density. Chapter 42 passed Council on a vote of 14 to 3. The ordinance changes development rules in the hopes of making the city more competitive with the suburbs. And given the extreme interest by area developers, it will likely be successful in that regard. This was far from an easy vote, as virtually every Council Member had qualms with the ordinance. As the Mayor said, this vote ends the separation between inner loop and outer loop areas. "The city of Houston now has one development code." And it has been updated to reflect a much more 'urban' reality.... 

 

[august948]

As the Mayor said, this vote ends the separation between inner loop and outer loop areas. "The city of Houston now has one development code." And it has been updated to reflect a much more 'urban' reality.... 

 

 

Was there a difference in the codes that applied inside and outside the loop?

[RedScare]

Yes.

 

Inner loop land could be developed at 42 residential units per acre. Outside the loop was substantially less. I cannot recall if it was 18 or 24 units per acre.

[lockmat]

Would requiring more detention for developments make the area less dense?

[totheskies]

Would requiring more detention for developments make the area less dense?

 

Probably so... especially if they're not planning for it ahead of time. 

 

The Mayor's office has promised to tackle detention, complete streets, and even a plan for burying the city's powerlines in the near future.  Chapter 42 was able to pass with the understanding that these issues would come next.