s10n

Oh where to begin...

First, most of the basic elements of "urban design" can be incorporated into their store without any impact or cost to their typical development. Echo those comments previously about simply moving the building to the street and placing parking on side and/or behind. But, simply put they don't have to do it so they won't.

As for Houston being a City of drivers, it is obvious this is the case. But, you could argue that it is a city of drivers because the built environment was designed for and around the car, not pedestrians. If you want a pedestrian environment, you must create it with the design of the built environment. This is a self-perpetuating problem. The more you build auto dominated design, the more auto dominated you become. You have to start somewhere. Midtown is the best and only hope (outside of Downtown) for true urban development; allbeit, it is rapidly fading.

As for parking ordinances, they are a problem. The same requirement pertains to midtown as it does in Kingwood. This is a problem that must be addressed to spur more urban development in Midtown, especially as land prices continue to increase.

As for going to the MRDA meetings, it is always good to show up and speak your mind. But, the board is essentially powerless on this type issue. They have failed to pursue the ability to institute land use and/or design control. Without it, they simply ask the developers for their consideration and hope they get it. The board members are afraid to push the issue with City Council (they have to CC approval for this ability). When you ask a board member about this, they simply laugh and say it will never happen. This is the prevailing attitude of the board members that serve your neighborhood. That being said, this will only change if all of those who support urban design and/or oppose typical suburban development in midtown will organize and make their point in more public and open forums (i.e. political forums).

#1: I concur with above: looks like townhomes. Don't know who is doing it.

#2: I hear this is going to be...prepare yourselves...another Walgreens. I also hear they are following the lead of CVS in their lovely urban design.

#3: I believe this is a Midtown / TIRZ sponsored rehab of the park. Those trees are approximately 150 years old (from what I have been told). This is also one of the first public parks (if not the first) in Houston.

#4: I saw this too. Not sure, but I suspect it is affiliated with Elgin street / landscaping improvements. It references transit authority money.

#5: This is a newer sign than was previously placed. Not too sure if / when they will start this. But, I would give up hope for a "McGowen Green" park. I don't think Camden would give up this tract of land.

Again, ours includes water, sewer, trash, etc. which equates into about 30-35% of total fees. $500.00 per MONTH does seem high.

You should ask your association for their budget and expenses if you have questions about what your money is going towards. They almost certainly have to disclose this information upon request of homeowners.

We don't pay for flood insurance and I don't see why your association pays for flood insurance. That should be an individual homeowner's expense, unless your association owns a building, etc. Do you live in a high-rise / condo or a townhome? Again, I would highly recommend asking for a break out of your associations expenses.

I would like to echo some of these same comments. I know my association's fees are high, but the association / complex has a master water meter for all the units. So the association must pay for water usage. That is a huge expense. Do you pay for your own water directly or does the association pay for it? Landscaping is another large expense. I don't think people realize how expensive many of these items are. Insurance for both property and Directors & Officers Liability insurance are other significant expenses.

All that being said, we pay about 1400.00 per year and don't pay any management fees. At the end of the year, we spend nearly all of what we take in. The danger in that is we are also responsible for exterior maintenance of homes, etc. You would want your association to ensure they have adequate funds on hand for these issues.