barracuda

The most recent HAHC meeting notes available online (from Jan 12) show they approved all agenda items, although one project did require stipulations around materials to be used. I do not think they had any authority over home interiors...I need to go back and look at the ordinance to remind myself.

The only people who seem to think that are religious fundamentalists and closeted right-wingers.

No offense, but I think I prefer the empty lot to more generic, suburban development, especially in this location.

There are some differences in appraised lot value between neighborhoods and sometimes in the same neighborhood, but I don't see a discrepancy that would indicate a decline in value on account of the ordinance. Or maybe we're both just finding what we're looking for. For example, most 5000 sq ft lots in Norhill and the west side of Woodland Heights show the same value in HCAD, $32 psf (I used the HAR maps for boundaries http://www.har.com/h...cts/default.cfm). There is no clear difference in appraised property values on opposing sides of the Woodland Heights historic district boundaries. Similarly, looking at Heights East, I find many examples of lots appraised at $35 psf inside the historic district, and others immediately outside this district under $28 psf. The lots in North Norhill (north of Pecore) have always been appraised a bit lower on average than Heights and Woodland Heights (currently $25 psf, the same as before the ordinance). But some lots in N Northill but outside historic district (closer to Main St.) are appraised lower still, at $22 psf. This has more to do with location than anything else. This can all be taken with a grain of salt, as they are 2011 HCAD appraisal numbers, but as mentioned earlier, a sampling of HAR current listing prices also shows no discrepancy based on historic districts when looking at home psf. I do agree there are plenty of crappy homes throughout the historic districts that are candidates for serious renovations or tear downs. As I've commented before, the historical value of many of the homes is dubious, even when using the local definition of "historic". There are pockets of non-contributing structures throughout the district that can get CoAs for demolition, but many of the "contributing" structures (oftentimes duplexes and rentals) are dilapidated and do not function as single family homes without major renovation or rebuilding. I also signed the petition against the historic ordinance for my neighborhood, so I'm not trying to defend the ordinance itself. We already have deed restrictions for N Norhill, and I would prefer that the city offered incentives to improve and maintain "contributing" homes, rather than setting additional restrictions. But as for it having a negative impact on home values, I am not convinced by the numbers I see. Also, as a side note, I was surprised by my higher than expected refinance appraisal last fall. My HCAD-approved home improvement added much more value than it cost due to increased square footage, and there was no mention of the historic district in the appraisal report.

I did something similar and left my keys sitting visibly on my porch overnight one time (including my car keys). I must have gone to grab something and forgot about them. Luckily, they were still there in the morning, as was my car .

I did enjoy your reading your hyperbole. But I don't think the long-term outlooks remotely fits what you described. Given that home values in the neighborhood increase along with square footage, and the opportunity to add-on to homes in historic districts still exists, I suspect demand for the limited stock of single-family homes in the entire area will continue to drive up prices across the board. Here's why: The HAHC has been approving the vast majority of renovation CoAs in historic-restricted areas. Getting a CoA approved does require a few extra steps and additional forethought, but having gone through the process myself, I don't think this is as big a deal as some folks make it out to be. There is ample opportunity to add square footage to homes within the historical district, even though it may require going with the oddball (in my opinion) camel-back style for those desiring a second floor addition. Sometimes I wonder how many folks have actually read the ordinance. On a price per square foot basis, the new 3000-5000 sq. ft. homes you speak of fall within the range of older bungalows in Norhill/North Norhill and Woodland Heights. If anything, the bungalows appear to be getting more per sq. ft. than the new builds based on the random sampling I looked at. There is very little to indicate the transition between districts other than historical designation on street signs, which themselves are difficult to see. The houses do not drastically change between districts (although the new 3000-5000 sq. ft. homes do stick out in their respective neighborhoods, particularly due to their raised profile). My guess is that most house hunters do not pay much attention to whether or not a house is in a historic district, and perceive the neighborhood as a whole as either desirable or not. And if I'm wrong? Well, then maybe parts of the hood will eventually look something like Swiss Avenue in Dallas, where the rich folks have poor folks living right behind them .

Funny how they spin it as "one step closer to reduced traffic congestion." As if a massive development ring is going to reduce traffic congestion.

This is besides your point, but their definition of 'food desert' is misleading. Zip code 77006 has access to plenty of supermarkets, including the remodeled Montrose Kroger and nearby H-E-B. Only the zips that have no supermarkets and are far removed from those in neighboring zip codes should really fall into that definition.

I think I get what you're saying, but the Schlotzky's in Montrose doesn't seem to have caused much harm to the neighborhood. And there are already numerous sandwich chains in the Heights and all over the city for that matter.

I could post a point-by-point counter argument regarding breeders, but it wouldn't be fair to profile an entire group of people based upon this single attribute.

I think it's about watching people as they push carts around and shop, and hearing cash registers and kids screaming in the background. You know, atmosphere.

Your claim about vacation was widely refuted back in August. After 31 months in office, Obama had taken 61 vacation days, compared to 180 days for Bush and 112 days for Reagan at the same point in their presidencies. http://www.cbsnews.c...n20093801.shtml I know facts won't change some people's opinions, but anyway, I'm not sure what attacking Michelle and the president have to do with the Heights Walmart...

It seems like carmakers feel more of a need to create "brand identities" these days. In my opinion, Honda/Acura and Volkswagen have suffered as a result, because they've chosen identities that are ugly or bland compared to the vehicle designs they replaced. I personally don't see why I'd want a car that follows the same design cues as every other car in that automaker's lineup...some distinctiveness is a good thing IMO.

Which restrictions are those?

I think it will eventually lead to the ballot box, but for now, my take is that the anger is mostly directed at immense power Wall Street has over the political process. It's also easier to protest en masse against Wall Street than against hundreds of individual elected officials who are a year or more away from re-election.

It would certainly be news if Apple actually had something to do with the financial crisis other than the indirect associations of being a functioning business.

Early in the summer the city was still spraying my area every Sunday evening. They stopped sometime mid-summer.

I walked outside this morning, and there were dozens if not hundreds swarming around the mulch bed near my door. It's the worst I've ever seen here. My old perception that mosquitos only thrive during wet conditions is obviously wrong.

It depends on the street. Many of the side streets in the Heights have haphazard or missing sidewalks, and sometimes the sidewalks are blocked with overgrown plants that property owners don't bother to prune. I'm tempted sometimes to prune them myself. I see nothing wrong with walking or running to the side of the street in these cases. But on a busy street like Heights where there is a clear running path and navigable sidewalks, I agree pedestrians should be using those.

Yes, I have noticed. I haven't tried the mosquito magnet, but I'd be willing to buy if it works. I was outside earlier for about 30 seconds and was bit 3 times through clothing.

I too would love to see a conservative like Nixon...one who created the EPA, signed the Clean Air Act, and proposed a national health insurance plan. In fact, I would love to have a conservative party in this country that could challenge the status quo by using facts, logic, and rational discourse instead of lunacy and outrageousness. It's a fantasy of mine...

I read Adbusters periodically...they make some very uncomfortable critiques, and while I think they are often a bit sensational, most of the time I'm afraid they have a valid point. I do like that they engage in important topics the MSM ignores. That said, they are reactionary and dont really seem to offer much in the way of solutions, which seems to be a challenge for OWS also.

I don't think the medium used for payment is necessarily important. As so long as you use prudence and have the liquidity, a credit card doesn't have to cost anything. I'm one of those customers who the credit card companies probably hate, because I pay off the balance every month yet still accrue points that I don't get when writing checks or paying cash. Those lacking self-control can really hurt themselves though.

I agree with the cleanliness too - Houston seems grittier an messier overall - but it doesn't necessarily mean Dallas is more aesthetically pleasing. I think Houston has more charm and character than Dallas, at least inside the loop, and even with the drought, Houston is a much greener city. Dallas does have cleaner, more cookie-cutter suburbs and freeway strip malls than Houston. The biggest difference for me is the people. Houston just has a different feel than Dallas. It's not just the pretentiousness of Dallas, as there is some of that here too, but there's a certain laid-back, accepting, friendly vibe in Houston that I don't feel when I'm in Dallas.

Yes, the neighborhood is ideal for recreational walking. But it's 13 blocks to the nearest supermarket, 12-17 blocks to the Village, and 4+ miles to the CBD. The future residents are likely to drive for the vast majority of their trips. I will grant you that if I lived in the area, I would bicycle as much as possible.