JCR

It is not an issue.  Oaks are the right tree to plant in the areas around the power lines because they can be shaped.

 

Wow. Was it really worth it to miss out on a year's worth of rent for this tenant? I wonder whether all the local restaurant talent wouldn't touch the location with a ten foot pole after the dust up with Killen and loss of Stella Sola. I will never understand commercial lessors.

My sources just roll their eyes regarding this saga. The layout of the building itself which is not optimal for a restaurant. Big sq footage = big rent. Need lots of covers to make it work. The contractual nonsense, etc. Killen was smart to bail. Overhead at his new place will be a better deal.

 

Do you own the franchise??

No. This info came from a Heights restaurateur and a local real estate lawyer.

Which reminds me I should have asked last night about the Studewoodish over saturation or potential thereof. The Tex/Mex joint going in at corner on White Oak, now the Yucatan place 4 block away. The midrise on 10th looking for a restaurant tenent, etc. There is already good Mex on Main and few block further on Airline.

Yucatan Taco Stand is going into the old Stella Sola/Bedford building.

Finally got a copy of the building permit application. Two story duplex. Units A&B.

Bldg Permit.pdf

Bldg Inspections.pdf

I found the relevant code and it does appear to rule out the building of more than 2 dwellings.

 

Sec 42-194(k)

 

The following rules shall govern approval of subdivision plats, development plats and building permits for lots and tracts subject to a special minimum lot size requirement either adopted pursuant to this section, or to which subsection (j) applies:

(1)

For any lot and tract that was in use for single family residential purposes at the time the complete application for establishment of a special minimum lot size area was filed, the subdivision plat, development plat or building permit must provide only for the construction of not more than one primary dwelling unit and one secondary dwelling unit of not more than 900 square feet on a lot. Each lot must meet the minimum lot size requirement of this section.

 

Thanks for posting that.

He also might think he can get away with something like this: 617 & 619 Allston. http://www.city-data.com/harris-county/A/Allston-Street-4.html  House on one side and garage apt on the other.

 

 

From the above it looks like this is a lot size issue. Question is, does the lot size restriction permit two residences or not?

 

No.  DMR was told this.  He then told my neighbor that he was building a single family home with an apartment above the garage behind the house.  Doesn't look like a SFH foundation, does it?

A permit search turns up several permits for 905A and 905B W. 15-1/2.  Appears original plan was to build two single-family homes w/ attached (prob front-facing) garages, not 4-6 townhouses.

 

Odd that CoH would permit this without checking for MLS restriction. Also, looks like it would need a re-plat to sell as two separate lots.

 

DMR now owns 901 next door.  The corner lot.

No concrete has been poured.  The very front with the visqueen shows the two separate parking pads.  This is typical townhome foundation layout.  Since that photo the mound has been removed and both foundation are now covered with visqueen.

That is him.  Dan told one of my neighbors that he was replacing the the single family home at 905 with another.  The difference would be the new one would have a detached garage in back and a garage apt. above.  That photo of the foundation doesn't look like it, does it?  They were informed about the existing ordinance long before construction was started but decided to engage in subterfuge nevertheless.  That photo from the top of the 7ft mound is one that I sent to authorities.  I was there when the inspector posted the stop work order that the Riley's have now removed.  The stop work order is still in effect.  The inspector told me if I or anyone sees any construction going on to call him and they will just pile on the fines.

 

Then some weeks back the Riley's solicited offers from some of the owners on our street.  I guess they have delusions of Heights real estate moguldom.  I have already requested from the Houston permitting/planning office copies of everything the Riley's submitted for 905.  I will post what I find on this forum.

Sources say...  

So you would rather have a know drug house in your neighborhood adding to crime?

 

Your first post.  Welcome to the forum.  I guess it is no coincidence that this was posted on the lot today.

Yes, your case in the Heights is a different issue.  We know our block will eventually be redeveloped.  As long as it is single family most here don't have a problem. 

Yeah Bitchez!

 

 

My neighbor was notified by Ellen Cohen's office and he was told a "stop order" has been issued by the city.

 

Yea!

 

   

We still have not heard anything from the city legal office other than they forwarded the info we provided to the planning/permitting group.  We did find out the owner/developer of 905 bought 901 next door.  I guess his plan was to build 4 townhomes total.

Got a further clarification, it was not "deed restricted" but Lot Size, COH Ordinance No 2007-1061 that was approved for the 900 block of W 15TH 1/2 ST, Houston, Texas, 77008.  A neighbor has got the ball rolling with the permit office and Ellen Cohen's office.

Several years ago one of the neighbors of the 900th block of W 15 1/2 St. organized a petition to reintroduce deed restrictions on our street in Shady Acres Annex.  The majority of the residents approved and new restrictions were reimposed.  The was done through city channels, a hearing was held and the city signed off on this.  The main point of the new deed restrictions was to keep out the high density townhome infestation on our street as all the housing is single family residence.

We did not want developers to be able to come in and subdivide lots for mutliple residences.

 

Well, the drug house was bought and torn down by a developer (See my earlier thread).  The giant mound of dirt in the front yard hides what is clearly two foundations for townhome construction.  There are no permits posted anywhere on this lot nor is there dirt retaining mesh around the mound. 

 

Does anyone know of a contact at the city to file a complaint, check the legality of what is being done?  I am pissed off to say the least.

 

 

 

 

off topic**

The technology behind skateboards has actually made a huge difference.  Longboards take advantage of this the most (they use bigger wheels) because the biggest advantage nowadays is the advancements in urethane.  New skateboard wheels are made from urethane that is much softer than wheels of old... but at the same time they do not wear out quickly.  My go to board for long treks has very soft 75mm wheels... skateboards of the old days normally had 45-55mm wheels that were hard as rocks.  The big soft wheels allow you to run over sticks, cracks, pinecones, and etc. while also maintaining a longer wheel roll. 

 

Long boards are nothing new.  We had those in the 70s.  Santa Cruz, Sims, etc.  The small wheels was a 90s-00s thing.  Dumb kids.  Kryptonics made 60, 65, and 70mm wheels in the 70s. Orange were soft, blue medium and green hard. 

Had another excellent meal at Bellissimo on Main & 25th tonight.  http://bellissimohouston.com/  Waitstaff told me that they are relocating to Cavalcade and Airline behind the Texaco station in late April.  The new location will address the parking and table wait issues. 

 Moms with strollers on the other hand... will walk side by side blocking the entire path. 

Besides the "road hog" moms are the are the idiot dog walkers.  Standing in the right lane yakking on the cell, leash stretched across the left lane while the dog is taking a dump in the grass.  It's just best to avoid riding evenings and weekends on the path.

http://www.29-95.com/restaurants/story/fat-cat-creamery-open-heights-ice-cream-parlor I think my property values just went up 10%.

 

Terrible location.  Share the building with Texas Dry Clean, a chiro's office and whatever no name businesses are there. Not co-located with the other businesses on 19th.  Pedestrian and bike traffic? I don't think so...

Thanks for the comments.  Sounds like Hardy on the inbound is what I'll end up doing. 

The company is relocating this summer.  I currently do the 610-I45-BW8 commute to the Gunspoint area.  I45N is no problem in the mornings as I leave at 7am, but southbound in the afternoon is unpredictable. I can continue this route and get to the new location via 8W to 249N, or try 610-290-BW8 east and then 249N.  Only a couple of miles difference between the I45 and 290 routes.  How is 290 outbound in the morning and 290 inbound afternoon compared to I45?