wilcal

Plat submitted for this property showing one large unrestricted reserve. Owner still showing as the same as the last few years. Follows TOD and shows existing structure on the plat which typically means the structure is staying while encroaching on setbacks/easements.

This can sometimes be required for some permits, so while this doesn't show any type of large redevelopment or reactivation, it does likely show that something is happening. 

As mentioned previously in the thread, there are some active uses in the warehouse area along the eastern edge, so may be related to that or fire remediation. 

MFW I thought this was the Smoothie King at Westheimer and Montrose.

I would imagine this site is much more known as the Chacho's site and not Smoothie King, but that's just me

4 hours ago, 004n063 said:

I think you're giving him too much credit. I really think the equity thing is pure performance. He's using Denver Harbor, etc., as an excuse to oppose pedestrian improvements on Washington, not because he has a viable plan to make Denver Harbor walkable.

No actual inside information here, but I have heard that some type of comprehensive sidewalk plan might be coming. 

There's still the whole no money thing, but some funds are being generated for discretionary sidewalk improvements via the sidewalk fee in lieu. It is a bit of a complicated structure because a portion of the funds are city wide and a portion are locked into local sidewalk districts. So we really do need some methodology of deciding on which sidewalks to build first.

Kind of an odd layout. 6 homes on a shared driveway and then one home by itself. All facing Clay.

I wish that there were several homes with ped access to the trail, but always good to have more homes built. 

Small parking variance in for 3401 Canal. I think the reduction is only two spots. Will post more details when they're up. 

Red tag on building .

3 hours ago, HNathoo said:

That's frustrating. Not sure what value they gained by removing them. 

No idea. Trees have gotten hammered by drought conditions, so they could have been dying/dead, but you still have to get a permit to remove them and have an expert confirm. 

Update:

* They meet the 50% of fenestration exactly with this new cutout.

* Their permit does not trigger necessity of sidewalk improvements.

* Street trees removed without a permit 🤬

Edit: to be clear, their approved permit specifically notated that all street trees were staying as well

2 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

FWIW, the discussion exposed pretty huge failings on the part of the City on this issue.  Apparently, the FRA funding from several years ago specifically calls out Houston as being the worst in the nation on the rail-crossing issue,  but the City hasn't bothered to apply for grants under that funding.

For one, the city was awarded a federal rail elimination crossing grant for the west belt that was applied for a few years ago, and secondly, they do require matching funds and there are lots of rail crossings in the east end particularly. All of the CIP budgets tended to shift very flooding-focused after Harvey and rail crossings aren't primarily about remediating any flooding concerns. 

13 minutes ago, JClark54 said:

METRO proposed a rail separation for the bus-only BRT lanes. As presented, it did not include passage for personal or commercial freight vehicles. The neighborhood requested the separation to accommodate all traffic forms, if a separation is built.

I know we are getting a little off-topic, but this is the partial story. The city, union pacific, some east end entities have also requested all traffic. The neighborhood basically said no takings, and the only way for that to be possible while also having all traffic is for BRT to utilize a single lane for bi-directional travel. 

No permits filed that I can find :/

I'm also very glad that there may be some activity. 

9 hours ago, phillip_white said:

They've cut out a section of the wall along San Jacinto to install windows (and potentially a door), but they also cut down two street trees.

That is good! They'll be required to provide 50% of fenestration on this face, so it might be that this is enough. 

Annoying that the street trees were removed, but hopefully they've received permits to do so.

I also don't know if they'll be required to bring the pedestrian access up to WP standards, so if they do maybe that is the reason for tree adjustment?

I've sent a request for an update to see. 

30 minutes ago, phillip_white said:

That's where the curb cut was for the warehouse driveway. As long as they don't install any permanent structures, there shouldn't be any restrictions.

How do you make a patio without any permanent structures? Flower pots and mobile stansions? 

That rant gave me Swamplot flashbacks with the caps. Truly a legendary HAIF rant. 

I saw the pavement torn up this weekend and was wonder what was happening. 

I thought that this was part of the public street, so I guess they are doing an encroachment agreement.

I looked up Anton Paar, and they have an office/warehouse just south of IAH. They make laboratory equipment. Says they are one of the leaders in CO2 detection.

I think it is kind of interesting that Shell is planning on adding new EV charging stations instead of retrofitting existing gas stations to have both.

Will be interesting to see if they build any type of retail component with these.

PS: The plat name was changed to Levan Reserve. 

Their plat was approved, but there was a requirement to dedicate 16' to McKinney (due to being called out to being an 80' ROW on the MTFP) and 5.85' to Oakhurst. 

They are asking for a variance to not dedicate and the adjust the building line as the dedication would have them dedicate roughly half the building to the city.

Plat submitted:

Chatted with an attorney today who was doing fact-finding for a contractor who had not been paid for a significant part of their work on this project. He seemed to think that there are several construction liens against the property. 

Looks like last permit activity was some electrical last fall.

SOUND THE KLAXONS

https://www.newsweek.com/texas-poised-first-bullet-train-line-us-1888433

President Joe Biden is reportedly seeking to revive a project that would construct a high-speed railway from Houston to Dallas in Texas utilizing Japanese bullet trains.

According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, citing unnamed administration sources, the White House is looking to make an announcement on the project following talks between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, D.C., this week.

I think that there has been a little bit of a recent spark, but there is a looooong way to go.

It will never flourish unless the crazy streets are rebuilt into something that fosters community. They are set up for speed and throughput for long-distance commuters. 

I have no idea if NHHIP will end up hurting or helping Midtown.

I think the easiest next step is to close all of Main to cars and try to do something a la Las Ramblas in Barcelona. 

They could do a bit better marketing it. No renders of the unit? The plans are really small.

Hopefully it will be improved, soon!

Took this day before yesterday. This is getting very dangerous and out of control with the erosion and I submitted a 311 ticket for OCE to come out and inspect. I'm really worried about someone falling in or it collapsing.